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pencil jar

Post #206 • February 4, 2004, 8:39 AM • 4 Comments

I have a holder that allows me to use pencils after they've become too small to hold comfortably in the normal way. Finally, once they become too small to turn in a sharpener, I put them in a jar to which I've taped a quote from Hokusai, a postcript he wrote for the first volume of One Hundred Views of Mt. Fuji:

From the age of six I was in the habit of drawing all kinds of things. Although I had produced numerous designs by my fiftieth year, none of my works done before my seventieth is really worth counting. At the age of seventy-three I have come to understand the true form of animals, insects and fish and the nature of plants and trees. Consequently, by the age of eighty-six I will have made more and more progress, and at ninety I will have got closer to the essence of art. At the age of one hundred I will have reached a magnificent level and at one one hundred and ten each dot and each line will be alive. I would like to ask those who outlive me to observe that I have not spoken without reason.

Comment

1.

Jack

February 5, 2004, 3:31 AM

You know, Franklin, you could go conceptual with this pencil thing. Just come up with a suggestive title, and write a couple of pages of wall text to explain everything, or at least make it sound good. It's got definite potential.

2.

tom

February 10, 2004, 9:15 PM

hokusai's quote is comforting to me franklin, in light of your previous observations regarding one's usefulness or relevance to our local market after the age of 35.

3.

tom

February 10, 2004, 9:15 PM

hokusai's quote is comforting to me franklin, in light of your previous observations regarding one's usefulness or relevance to our local market after the age of 35.

4.

Witold Riedel

February 22, 2004, 6:42 AM

what a beautiful quote.
(Is this a staedtler HB?) : )

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