NABC Manager's Diary — July 16, 2026 (Thu)

It was hot again today. There were fewer customers. When I hide out in the backroom (though it's really a cramped spot like the hollow of a tree where a bear lives), I feel like I might get heatstroke. In the morning, it seems someone bought Mr. Tsujiyama's book from the bookstore Title before I arrived. I found that in the sales data. I would have liked to meet the customer who bought it. In the afternoon a job-hunting student who lives in the prefecture and came to Nagoya for job hunting bought a collection of tanka. When I asked if they submit poems anywhere, they said they send work to a well-known literary magazine but have never been published, so I recommended submitting to the newspapers. Since they subscribe to the Chunichi Shimbun, I suggested the Chunichi tanka page (?), and of course the Tokai tanka column in the Nagoya edition of the Asahi Shimbun! The reason I mentioned that is because one of my tanka was just published in this morning's Tokai tanka column. I handed them a flyer about events and invited them to come to various tanka events (poetry gatherings) if they find a convenient date. I hope they get a job at a company in Nagoya. In the afternoon an acquaintance from Iwakura dropped by. They and a friend made an interesting handcraft zine, so they said they'd bring it next time. Zines on niche hobbies are popular, so I'm looking forward to it. A woman who came in just before closing, I asked (more politely in person) 'Do you like books?'—the obvious question—and she showed me a paperback of a translated novel, saying 'I always have one in my bag.' We had a lively talk about translated fiction. I hope she'll come back. Sales were a bit disappointing, but every customer who came in loves books, so it was a very enjoyable day. Here is the tanka that was published today: Sea-viewing, the stars of the sky—and the shape of an elephant swallowed by an uwabami I always think afterward that I should have revised it a bit more seriously. Oh, and before that, longtime customer Chiharu stopped by after a long time (it's a little odd to call a regular 'long time'). She was all dressed for summer and looked fresh. She was the one who told me about this morning's Tokai tanka publication, so when I thanked her she scolded me, 'From now on, find out for yourself!' Sorry, sensei. Chiharu's hosted poetry gathering, 'Ekinishi Small Tanka Gathering', supported by Satsuki Suzuki, is this weekend on the 18th, Saturday at 7:00 PM. Beginners are very welcome. Please feel free to join. For details, see the store's event information.