SOMETIMES IT HURTS TO HURT...

SOMETIMES IT HURTS TO HURT...
Originally uploaded by roberthuffstutter

THE DECISIONS ONE MAKES IN YOUTH WILL FOREVER FOLLOW US THROUGH LIFE. This is a statement that is not Divine wisdom by any means, however it is a statement few of us really understand until we reach the age when we know that life will not go on forever, a feeling many of us had in our youth.

HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I THOUGHT ABOUT THE YOUNG WOMAN I BADE FAREWELL TO ON THAT DAY IN DEMEMBER OF 1963? HOW MANY DAYS HAS IT BEEN SINCE OUR HANDS LAST TOUCHED? HOW MANY DAYS HAVE PASSED? NO, I DO NOT WANT TO COUNT THEM--IT IS TOO PAINFUL. WAS IT FATE THAT ENDED OUR ROMANCE? I CANNOT SAY. I WILL WRITE A NOVEL SOMEDAY EXPRESSING MY FEELINGS ABOUT OUR ROMANCE, A STORY ABOUT A YOUTHFUL ROMANCE THAT WAS IDEAL. PERHAPS IT WAS MEANT ONLY TO LAST AS LONG AS IT DID--A SHORT TIME. WHATEVER THE CASE, THERE HAS NOT BEEN A DAY THAT HAS PASSED THAT I HAVE NOT SEEN HER FACE IN MY THOUGHTS, THOUGH I STOPPED WHISPERING HER NAME MANY YEARS AGO. SOMEDAY, I SAID, I WILL WRITE THE BOOK ABOUT YOUTHFUL ROMANCE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST. IT WILL BE A POSITIVE AND UPLIFTING ROMANCE WITH A LESSON: FOLLOW YOUR HEART AND YOU WILL NEVER HAVE REGRETS, YOU WILL NEVER HAVE TO WONDER IF YOUR DECISION WAS RIGHT OR WRONG.
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SOMETIMES IT HURTS TO HURT...
When sailors depart, they usually have someone they love to share the moment of departure. How many of these overseas romances continue is subject matter for novels. James Michener wrote one, "Sayonara" that says much about these departures.

Uploaded by roberthuffstutter on 19 Nov 10, 3.33PM PST.





Sometimes i am too honest

sometimes i think i open my heart too much

sometimes i cannot forget memories

i am who i am and what i am

i cannot pretend to forget what is heavy on my heart

this is the price i pay for being an artist

this is what happens to one as they grow older, memories of youth grow closer........

OLD MOTOMACHI, YOKOHAMA 1962, pencil sketch by Robert L. Huffstutter

OLD MOTOMACHI, YOKOHAMA 1962, pencil sketch by Robert L. Huffstutter
Originally uploaded by roberthuffstutter

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OLD MOTOMACHI, YOKOHAMA 1962, pencil sketch by Robert L. Huffstutter
Perhaps it is part of a photographic memory when it comes to subject matter, but after closing my eyes for a few minutes, this scene and many others comes to mind and affords me the view I needed to create a sketch of the Japan I remember so well. Motomachi was my favorite area of Japan for many reasons, some very personal, thus such a sketch was a joy for me and one I hope will be a reminder of the 60s for others who were celebrating their youth.

Uploaded by roberthuffstutter on 2 Nov 10, 5.15PM PST.

JAPANESE VILLAGE IN KANAGAWA 1962: Watercolor by Robert L. Huffstutter

JAPANESE VILLAGE IN KANAGAWA 1962: Watercolor by Robert L. Huffstutter
Originally uploaded by roberthuffstutter

JAPANESE VILLAGE IN KANAGAWA 1962: Watercolor by Robert L. Huffstutter
JAPANESE VILLAGE IN KANAGAWA 1962: Watercolor by Robert L. Huffstutter. Mount Fuji in background. I often traveled the backroads of Kanagawa on a small motorcycle I had purchased for Yen 9,000. In 1962, there was 360 Yen per dollar. The little 90cc cost $25.00 U.S. It was a fun way to see the rural areas until I finall wore the little cycle out and began having to walk it up the steep hills. I remember a school bus of children looking at me peculiarly one afternoon as I slowly pushed the cycle up the hill. There was no outbursts or catcalls, just curious young people wondering why an American was out in the country (or in their country) pushing a little red motorcycle up a hill.

I soon met a friend and sold my old bike. Life became much more fun afterwards.

CONSIDERING JAPANESE CITIZENSHIP? THINK AGAIN!

CONSIDERING JAPANESE CITIZENSHIP? THINK AGAIN!
Originally uploaded by roberthuffstutter

CONSIDERING JAPANESE CITIZENSHIP? THINK AGAIN!
HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT BECOMING A JAPANESE CITIZEN?

Think again, it is not exactly like the US immigration policy, no not at all. Do I blame them for wanting to keep Japan a homogenous nation, preserving their traditions, religions and holidays?

Why in the world would the Japanese want to be forced into changing their entire history and lifestyle simply to please a few organizations that have nothing to do but bitch about political correctness, fairness, worship and gender preferences?

Thankfully, there is one nation on earth that has the sense to preserve their nation as they want. By Robert L. Huffstutter

Uploaded by roberthuffstutter on 13 Nov 10, 6.04AM PST.

Vintage Japanese matchbox label, c1920s-1930s

Vintage Japanese matchbox label, c1920s-1930s
Originally uploaded by crackdog

This image has inspired a new gallery, MATCHBOX MASTERPIECES... with the following text:

Crackdog's collection of matchboxes is awe-inspiring. While many are for bars and other establishments, subjects that make the issue a memory of some youthful joys, it is the designs that remain in my mind that I really appreciate.

Most of these matchboxes, or all of them, were created by Japanese advertising artists in the 1920s through the late 1930s and could be advertising any number of establishments that were part of a very large Japanese Empire.

It is the intrique and mystery of this historic era that fascinates me. I believe it is an era that has been shelved, more or less, because of the Imperialist nature.

As an American, let me be the first to admit that the United States was one of the main players in the game of colonialism and imperialism. From the time the U.S. declared the "Manifest Destiny" to the time we forcefully annexed the kingdom of Hawaii, we have subtly become very large realtors in world properties.

Vintage Japanese matchbox label, c1920s-1930s
If anyone knows what the Japanese writing says, please let me know. I would love to find out.

Uploaded by crackdog on 12 Apr 10, 11.17PM PST.

japanese matchbox label

japanese matchbox label
Originally uploaded by maraid

THERE IS A TRUTH HERE THAT IS SUBTLE--DEPENDING UPON ONE'S DEFINITION OF "ROMANCE." The design is simple and to the point. Perfect in every way, shape and form. Hopefully, the artist went on to make millions of Yen in advertising...RLH
japanese matchbox label

Uploaded by maraid on 15 Jun 08, 12.11PM PST.

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japanese matchbox label

Uploaded by maraid on 15 Jun 08, 12.11PM PST.

星条旗新聞創刊50周年号P．S&S 50

星条旗新聞創刊50周年号P．S&S 　50
Originally uploaded by Chitose-Kim

星条旗新聞創刊50周年号P．S&S 　50
星条旗新聞創刊50周年　1995年10月1日発行。
（タブロイド・サイズ）　1ドル。「付録」に前掲載の創刊号がついていた。
Publish it on the 50th anniversary Star&Stripes Banner newspaper foundation of a periodical October 1, 1995. （Tabloid size）1 dollar. The first issue of the previous publication stuck to "an appendix".

Uploaded by Chitose-Kim on 2 Nov 10, 7.38AM PDT.

Tokyo 1423

Tokyo 1423
Originally uploaded by tokyoform

When I returned home to the United States from Japan, one of my dreams was to return to Japan. That was almost 50 years ago. I am thinking it might not happen, but someday, if possible, I would still love to return to Japan and open up a small studio and paint, if only for a few months. Yes, to spend a few months painting and shooting photos in Japan was one of my dreams, and one that I have not given up for lost.
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Tokyo 1423

Uploaded by tokyoform on 4 Mar 09, 2.50AM PDT.