We will hold an in-store pop-up event featuring zine creators and handmade artists. It's a two-day event on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. There will also be pop-ups by Manila Books & Gift, which carries overseas zines, and moku-zakka, which produces wooden goshuin-cho (temple stamp books). The pop-ups will run from Tuesday, August 18 through Sunday, August 23. While browsing the store, please take a look at the zine and handmade creators' booths!

I'm developing apps for Android and iPhone separately. Even now, you can use "Add to Home Screen" to create an icon and launch it like an app, but it's still a web browser under the hood, and notification settings can change without you noticing, so the usability isn't great. I haven't built either before, but if you ask an AI it can create a basic framework. Starting from scratch is tough, but once you have a foundation, development goes faster. The app still has room to improve, but the most tedious part is registering with the app stores. That's also part of the experience.

Last night I received an email. It was from a doujinshi (self-published) creator who visited from Mie Prefecture last month. During their visit they asked how to boost the ZINE scene in Mie — what should they do? I had never met them before; they were introduced to me by a former Shonan librarian I knew from my librarian days. Since I became the manager of this shop I've started carrying ZINEs by creators active in Nagoya and nearby, but I know nothing about the ZINE situation in Mie, so I was at a loss for what advice to give. I suggested they try consulting the prefectural library first. The email last night updated me on their progress, and what energetic people they are. In no time they connected with the Mie Prefectural Library, and also got in touch with a school librarian at a prefectural high school (that famous librarian who used to be at Tsu High School), and they reported they might be able to plan a ZINE-making workshop involving high school students. Amazing. I'm looking forward to how it develops. This Mie story doesn't directly relate to this shop, but it's fun to see the ZINE scene getting lively. The next story is even less related to the shop (though not entirely unrelated): the cancer-education event I pushed when I was a librarian, "Minna no Gan Kyōshitsu" (Everyone's Cancer Class), might start at a library in M City in Tohoku. I heard that a librarian from M City might visit to observe the "Minna no Gan Kyōshitsu @ Libraries" sessions that are already continuing at a library in S City outside Aichi Prefecture. (For more about "Minna no Gan Kyōshitsu," please read the ZINE 『ここは本をかりるだけじゃない図書館』.) This movement started after I was invited to M City last autumn to talk to librarians about the projects I worked on during my librarian days. Today the shop has few visitors, probably because of the heat. A little while ago someone came in sweating, looking for a photo book of Nagoya from the Showa 20s–40s (roughly the 1940s–1960s). Unfortunately the publisher is out of print and we have no stock. For now we'll try to find a used copy. I'm worried because turnout for next Saturday's event is far below what we need. I thought it was a good program, but reality isn't cooperating. I just have to keep working for another week. Lately I've been feeling down because of this attendance issue. Like purchasing books and ZINEs, events help shape the character of this shop. We need to keep steadily working to increase even a single customer who likes the shop enough to drop by once a year; otherwise the shop won't grow. If 300 people come once a year, that's an average of one customer per day. 600 would be two per day; 3,000 would be an average of ten per day. With an average spend around ¥2,000, that's about ¥20,000 in sales per day. It's tough. I have a business meeting scheduled shortly, and tonight there's a talk event by Kenji Kuroda. I'll add an update tonight. Someone from a new hotel opening near the shop came by to ask about placing books about Nagoya in the hotel's lounge. The interior work was almost finished, so they showed me the site. After hearing about the hotel's concept, the expected guests, and which books and comics the staff wanted, I returned to the shop and immediately started searching for titles. I also thought it would be a good opportunity to include ZINEs by Nagoya ZINE creators. From 7:00 PM there was a talk by Mephisto Prize author Kenji Kuroda, celebrating the publication of his first full-fledged mystery in 14 years, "Kanzen Misshitsu no Matryoshka" (The Perfect Locked-Room Matryoshka). Mr. Kuroda, who loves "puzzle-solving" as a theme, told us in detail about shops in Nagoya and nearby where you can enjoy puzzle-solving activities. Between stories he introduced several "boke questions" he posts daily on X, and everyone enjoyed solving the puzzles together. Since Mr. Kuroda is so into puzzle-solving, I asked at the end, "Would you create a puzzle-solving event using our gallery?" He immediately said, "By all means!" so we'll be planning that. If it's decided, puzzle fans please join!

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.

"We wanted to provide a venue for people with a short history of composing tanka to present!" This project started from that passionate desire. Two tanka poets who were responsible for planning, editing, and publishing will talk about their motivations. Speakers are Satsuki Suzuki and Bunchō Nagai, with guest Hiroyuki Ogiwara. Please note the event's end time may be subject to change.

A record of 3 nights and 4 days in Nagoya spent “living rather than sightseeing.” Visiting supermarkets, coffee shops, and bookstores, I remeasured where my daily life stands. This small book collects the quiet realizations I picked up during unremarkable times. A5 / 38 pages / perfect binding / left-opening ——————————————— Lately I've started to think about "loving the everyday." It's not glamorous, but I find myself wondering how to spend my plain, steady life. From my student days through my twenties I used to head out somewhere to get through a flat routine or schedule a few monthly events to taste the extraordinary. That was enjoyable in its way, but in my thirties I've increasingly reexamined how to live day to day and how to enjoy it. I live in a small town in Ehime Prefecture with a population of about 10,000, where forests occupy more than half of the area. Nagoya, on the other hand, is a large city and the opposite in many ways. I spent four days in Nagoya to see what happens when I live in such a contrasting place — aiming not to tour the sights but to spend my time as if I were a Nagoya resident. This is a personal record of visiting Nagoya to check the current position of my life. I hope it can be a trigger for readers to reconsider their own “likes” and values. From the "Preface" —————————————— #loving the everyday #fan activities #introspection #spark #bookstore #countryside_and_city Recommended for: ▶︎ People who want to know Nagoya beyond tourist spots ▶︎ Those who want to experience Nagoya from the viewpoint of someone living outside the prefecture ▶︎ People interested in other people's lives and lifestyles ▶︎ Those who want to reexamine their own “likes” and values

Today I spent the day working on updates for a service called Librize that I've been running for over ten years. After operating something for that long, little cracks inevitably appear throughout the code. I could fix them as I notice them, but they tend to have wide-ranging effects, so it takes focused effort to tackle them properly. Thanks to the hard work, things improved considerably. That's good.

It seems to be the hottest temperature of the summer, so there are few customers. Even so, two or three groups came; one person came from Nagano. A student? Maybe, but they also seem to be working, and this time came to Nagoya on business. They said they were born in Aichi Prefecture. They and their friends publish a criticism journal, so I asked them to send back issues if they'd like us to sell them at our shop. Purchased Mr. Ito's 'Palestine Report'. One person came from Okayama City on business to Nagoya. This time it was work-related, but a friend of theirs lives in Nagoya and they come here often. Bought a zine by Yodaka. And so on. The 2nd Ekinishi Yunagi tanka gathering has been scheduled for September 25, so I immediately registered the event on Zindies. From this time we added "tanka gathering" to the event categories, so I registered it under that category. There are two other tanka gatherings as well, so I changed their categories too. When I checked just now, two people applied right after it went public! Maybe it's because I sent a mass notice to the participants from the previous meeting about the second one! Tanka gatherings are enjoyable events because tanka lovers and people interested in tanka come. I'd also like to increase the number of book clubs — would anyone like to run one?

NAgoya BOOK CENTER's events have all been impressive, and that has driven an increase in site traffic. I'm very grateful. The other day someone asked if we could add a "歌会" category, and after I set it up an event was already registered. Fast! I occasionally review the structure of the event pages, and I adjusted things because the sign-up button can be hard to see on smartphones. Also, since I heard that people couldn't find where to cancel, I decided to include that information in the registration confirmation email. Ideally it would be nice to show a list on the user's settings page, but I'll consider that if sign-ups increase.

This is a tanka gathering hosted by tanka poet Miyako Asai. Beginners and those who have not yet started writing tanka are welcome to participate. If you will participate, please compose one tanka and send it by email to [email protected] by September 18. The theme is free. Also, drinks will not be sold on the day, so please feel free to bring your own beverages.

A ZINE event focused on printmaking, "ZINE Fest: Printmaking." It will be held on January 9, 2027 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the 2nd floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho Building. Admission is 500 yen. Information is provided on exhibitor applications and plans, assembly times, move-in/loading procedures, and prohibited items. Organized by BOOK CULTURE CLUB.

An event to enjoy zines, “ZINE Fest: Travel & Food.” It will be held on January 9, 2027 on the 2nd floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho. Exhibits and sales will focus on printmaking, typography, and the themes of travel and food. Admission is 500 yen. Information for exhibitors is provided regarding applications, move-in rules, and cooperation for event operations on the day.

ZINE exhibition and sales event "ZINE Festa Typo." It will be held on January 9, 2027, on the 2nd floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho Hall. Exhibits will focus on printmaking, typography, and themes of travel and food. General admission is paid (500 yen). Information for exhibitors about application/operation rules and meeting time will be provided.

At Zindies, creators have a feature that lets them print their works on A4 landscape (two A5 pages). Try looking around to find where it is. In fact, this was a byproduct that came about when the site operators created a ZINE compiling all the creators and works registered on the site — named the WHOLE ZINE CATALOG. Whether or not it's "Stay hungry, Stay foolish." aside, the concept is to "include everything." Information that can only be seen in fragments on the website becomes something completely different when turned into a booklet. We made it with the idea that the operators would bring it when they go to explain the ZINE to shops that would carry it, so we haven't planned general distribution — but if it gets a good reputation, we might consider it.

A young woman visiting for the first time bought a LiD/APD zine created by people with lived experience. When I asked, she said that both she and her husband sometimes have trouble understanding speech, especially in noisy places. They didn't know the reason and were a little troubled. Since she was from the prefecture, I introduced the people-with-lived-experience café “Hinata-bokko” held at Moriyama Library. Mr. Ando, formerly of the Chunichi Shimbun, dropped by. He gave me a copy of a book published by Nagoya's one-person publisher YuiPoot: "Hold Me Tight Now — Twelve Years with Whole-Body Cancer: Ai Kanai's Happiness." Dr. Takamasu from Kanagawa Children's Medical Center came by. The Japanese Society of Pediatric Clinical Allergy was being held in Nagoya, and he stopped in at the shop. In the evening was the first meeting of the “Ekinishi Yuunagi Tanka Gathering.” I also participated and submitted tanka in advance. It was my first time attending a tanka gathering; hearing everyone's critiques and impressions was very educational. I learned that the Kodansha-published book "Children on Provisional Release: Targets of 'Japanese First'" has been receiving good reviews. I did a little research and found that the author, Mr. Ikeo, seems to be from Nagoya. I quickly friended him on social media and greeted him — it turned out he is from Nakamura Ward! So I'm planning to hold a talk event at our shop in the near future. Stay tuned!

　I've lost count of how many times I've written this, but Touch Collection continues to go through trial and error. There are days when I feel like I might be out of ideas, but there's a part of me that wants to believe it's getting better little by little. 　Some people are waiting after receiving only the cards, so we'd really like to find a breakthrough. We'll keep doing our best.

Living in a small rural town in Ehime Prefecture. I'm trying hard to express the things I like in writing. I mainly write essays. -------------------------- ○Past ZINEs A zine created by an author who loves socks and wanted to talk about socks ◻︎「くつしたは何足あってもいい」(2025) A record and essays of a 3-night, 4-day stay in Nagoya without sightseeing ◻︎「暮らしをひろう、自分を編む」(2026) ------------------------ ○Past events I exhibited at ・文学フリマ広島7 (2025.2) ・IKAZAKI Craft Fair (2025.3) ・IKAZAKI Craft Fair (2026.4) ・ZINE Fest Nagoya (2026.5)

This is the second installment of a love-of-reading talk with 大原扁理 and るこ. These two incomparable book nerds will once again share their passion for reading — from the one book that hooked them, to favorite authors, when/where/and what kinds of moments they read in, their reading histories, and recent recommendations. You'll likely start looking at your TBR pile with new fondness! There will be a signing session after the talk!

As expected, with events on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and not getting home until after 10 p.m., at my age the fatigue built up, so I slept until past noon today. I ended up lazing around at home without stepping outside even once. It was that kind of day, but I was able to finish the final checks for the event scheduled for October 24, so I completed the flyer.

On Wednesdays the store manager usually has the day off, but today I came in because there is an event tonight. I have taken tomorrow (Thursday) off. Here is the event: "Creating a society in which books still reach those who need them 10 years from now" — Mr. Yuji Tanaka, who has worked widely at Bungeishunju as a weekly magazine reporter and in marketing, will investigate the current state of bookstores and discuss with participants the future of bookstores as seen from that investigation—