Aim for Mont Blanc! ⛰

Recently, we've received several reports of customers being unable to send messages through our online store's inquiry form, or not receiving replies to their inquiries.
We usually respond to inquiries within one day, so if you've sent an inquiry and haven't heard back, please email us directly at antiktanaka@msn.com.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Also, regarding the name you provide when making a purchase, if your name has two or more possible readings, or an unusual reading, it would be very helpful if you could write the phonetic reading in Katakana in the memo field during checkout.
This is because international shipping labels use Romanized spellings.
Thank you for your understanding.

Names are important. They are precious things given with people's thoughts, so we would appreciate it if you could provide your names accurately.

Speaking of names.
I am sometimes asked what my name means.
Kumiko → forever beautiful child?
The other person → aha-... (a subtle reaction)
I'm so sorry. But that's how I feel, haha.
If I include my surname, it would be "forever beautiful child in the rice field" haha.
It's almost like a Native American name.
A woman standing with clenched fists.
If your name is like Sakura, it's "Cherry Blossom!"
The other person → WOW! That's wonderful!

Speaking of things unique to a person, there's also handwriting.
Opportunities to write have drastically decreased recently, but I recently received a beautiful letter. The beautiful shading of the blue ink and the heartfelt message touched me deeply.
I asked if it was a fountain pen, and they said it was a Montblanc they had been using for decades, and that the tip of the pen was worn down at an angle.
Wow. What a cool line to be able to say.
Although Japanese 100-yen ballpoint pens are excellent, I recalled myself in the distance, often getting frustrated (# ﾟДﾟ) when the ink ran out and my writing became faint.
Montblanc is far away.
The beauty of the shading from a fountain pen might be as beautiful as the paint on Royal Copenhagen's Blue Fluted.
I felt that way as I admired the letter over and over again.

Clearly influenced, I've been secretly checking the used market, hoping to become someone who writes with a Montblanc, but I wonder if I'll find one.
I now have something to look forward to.
And so, the days have grown longer, and like a toad waking from hibernation, I too am slowly but surely moving towards the light.
Someone who has been submerged in the abyss for several months is suddenly aiming for a Montblanc.
What an incredible difference in elevation.

My Japanese friend, who loves nature, told me that this year's Keichitsu (Awakening of Insects) is on March 5th.
So Keichitsu isn't on the same day every year.
As everything heads towards a beautiful "sprouting spring," the toads also slowly but surely advance.