Our small thatched roof shinto shrine in Shojiko is over 350 years old. Twice a year the men of the village gather to decorate the Shrine to honor the local gods and pray for the safety and prosperity of the village for the coming year.

Here is the new custom built Keyaki counter in the kitchen. Below is the log that we bought and sculpted the counter from. The Keyaki is harvested sustainably in Japan. Go local!!!

The finished product

The uncut log

Our reform is coming along and the house should be available from mid October. Leader (Yasu Kuwabara) is our main cabinet maker and pictured here planning the kitchen. Below you can see our new Cherry Floor, Italian tiles in the kitchen, and custom made Keyaki counter.

NOW

BEFORE

After 4 days of hard shooting, the TBS Doubutsu Kisotengai show is in the can and ready to air on Oct 21, Sunday at 8pm, Channel 6 (nationwide!). Rueben played his part of the loner sheep perfectly. HE loved knocking the TV stars around, Irie and Yabe from the Karate-Ka comedy team. Exactly on cue, he would smash them into the props and knock over the set. He wasnt so good at socializing with the other sheep. Everytime we had a shot where he was suppooosed to interact with them, he ran over to the TV crew and started licking the camera. He is too much of a ham and I think the stardom has gone to his fuzzy head. Also sad to say that he wasnt much of a hit with the ladies. They seemed interested but he is either too shy, or maybe doesnt realize he is a sheep. He kept following the cute assistant director around all day and licking her knees. But we are not giving up hope. Eva, our female sheep on the farm, was very glad to see him when he got home with his new haircut, and we are hoping they may be making baby sheep these coming cold nights. Remember to watch. Oct 21, 8pm. TBS.

Assistant Director Adachihara-san testing out sheep models.

Here is Irie-kun of Karate-ka, and Jake kissing a seal for fish.

And Yabe-san wating for his meal....

And the staff and students of the Tokyo Wildlife College giving Reuben his biannual haircut and getting him all beautiful for the girls.

Many thanks to Director Maeda-san, TBS Television, AD Adachihara, AD Murasei, and Yabe and Irie of Karate-ka. And of course the Solar Cafe staff for all the hours of cutting grass for Rueben, rain or shine. Thanks all. jr