An Update on Satoshi Manor

Notes from Japan - and turning my house into a book.

Today is the first day that I've been in Japan that I don't have any pressing needs that need to be accomplished. It’s been a little less than two months.

So far, I've managed to replace my furnace, water heater, and stove. I've caulked up most of the cracks in the exterior concrete so they don’t get bigger when the freezing comes. I've made minor repairs to the house to make doors and windows work better. The cleaning and mold/mildew removal has been ongoing but is at a place where I can finally relax a little.

I had the house inspected by an architect to check for major defects. The plumbing, gas, and kerosene are functioning with no issues. Kerosene tank (for furnace and boiler) has been cleaned and refurbished.

I've managed to furnish the house with the basics needed to live and also been acquiring the things I will need for winter here (snow shovels, emergency supplies, cold weather gear like snow boots, sweaters, gloves and jackets, backup heater, and some comfort items like a guitar, art supplies, etc).

I have my utilities all set up, I've registered with the local ward for both the address and what they call the number card. I've figured out how to sort my trash (mostly) and I've managed to figure out transportation (but it's still going to be problematic) for work and life. I've even managed to make a few acquaintances who are becoming friends, but that's a slow process in Japan, is what I am learning.

It's been an exhausting and lonely process for the most part so far. For mental health, I've been exploring as much as I can within the walking distance and enjoying a limited amount of tourism/exploring along the way. I’ve been sharing a fair amount on my Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/vagobond) in terms of travel, life, and some of the creative things I’ve been doing.

Today though, is the first day that all of my immediate goals for the house and for living in Japan have been met. Somehow, it is just in time. Tomorrow, I fly to Tokyo for a week of teacher training and then I will return and start the process of working. Having a job is the cost of being able to live here. No rest for the wicked. I really thought I would have enough time to take a quick trip back to Honolulu before the work started, but it just wasn't in the cards.

My kitchen cabinets were super ugly, dented, torn, and broken. I gave them a cheap paint job with some spray paint and have started to write a stream of consciousness novel on them. I may at some point decide to replace them or cover them up with contact paper, but I like the idea of turning my house into a book. I’ll start with the cabinets and then probably write on other parts.

Fun fact, in almost every house I’ve lived in since I was a child, I’ve left some writing on the back of a mirror, inside a closet, under a paint job or repair. Nothing that would ever detract from the value of the places, but just a way of saying “I was here” - just like George Washington carved his initials on the natural bridge in Virginia. This whole book house thing - is really taking it to the next level though. I’m sure it has been done before - but probably not documented as it was happening on Instagram.

In an age when we have to question whether almost everything is written by AI, you don’t have to question this. No AI involved.