(Ms.) Tomo Kimura’s Translation/Tokyo Notes

According to Oricon books, 1,145,798 copies sold in two weeks, topping the charts two weeks in a row since its release.

and still tired (coming home is a 11-hour trip, as opposed to 9.5 hours when going to the west coast).

It was good that I finally got to meet the people I’ve been working with these 3.5 years.

Fanimecon was also fun. When I went to college, they didn’t have anime/manga conventions yet (though I did go to a couple of sci-fi conventions), so this was my first time attending such a con. It wasn’t that crowded, so I got a good look at all the doujin/company booths, and attend a couple panels. And take photos of cosplayers.

I’ll be dropping by Friday afternoon and Saturday after my visit to VIZ.

Came out Thursday.

This is the pile of tankobons at the bookstore I got my copy:

This is the new books section. There were more piles in the regular Shueisha shojo manga section as well.

Because you’re an ojousama relaxing in the comforts of your own home, you’re not supposed to do anything on your own. If you want tea poured, or want to take a dish from the afternoon tea set rack, you ring the bell on the table, and someone will come do it for you. The staff seems pretty attentive about the tea, and someone usually came by to pour tea when my cup was almost empty.

There are various desserts on the side menu. This month’s sherbet was made from yuzu liquor. It has about 8% alcohol left in it, so you had to be over 20 to order it. The sherbet was very citrus-y, and I was asked to eat it fast because it melts easily due to the alcohol content.

When it’s time to leave, the butler comes to get you. Usually they say something seasonal as you’re putting on your jacket/coat (in January it was something like “I hope you’re still not in New Year’s mode, as it’s already the middle of the month now”), then they see you off with a loud “Itterasshaimase!”.

There are two patisserie swallowtails on the way back to the station, and you can buy cakes, ice creams, scones, tea, and confitures, as well as logo goods like coasters and tea cozies.

Cameras are prohibited at the cafe. The use of cell phones were banned last month as well, because people apparently kept taking photographs without permission.

If there are open slots that day, you can reserve them by going to the cafe and asking the doorman. The information is posted on the website as well as on a sign outside the cafe.

The cafe is a short walk from the east exit of Ikebukuro station. You give the doorman your name, and wait on the sofa until he asks you to stand in front of the door.

The butler then greets you, and shows you in. The footman takes whatever you want to take with you to your seat, and the butler takes your coat and umbrella. The first time I went, the butler was someone who definitely looked over 60 (and the job offerings does say “people over 60 very welcome”).

The footman then shows you to your seat. I got a sofa seat where there are lace curtains on both sides so you don’t quite see the person seated next to you. The footman places a napkin on your lap, a cloth cover on your bag, then brings you the menu and explain the monthly dessert specials, the recommended tea of the day, and such.

I ordered the quiche set (two quiche, salad, and choice of one dessert), spinach and mushroom soup, and assam tea (which was the recommended tea of the day). For dessert you can choose from a cake, a chou a la creme, and jelly. I decided to have the lemon jelly, which was full of fruits.

(to be continued…)

I “went home” to the butler cafe yesterday, so I figured I’ll write a little about it.

The battle for the ojousama to go home starts a month before your homecoming, at midnight sharp. This is when the official website starts taking reservations. You choose a time slot and reserve it, but if someone finishes reserving that slot before you do, you have to grab another slot and start all over. Even on weekdays, most slots are gone in a few minutes, so I’ve been unable to reserve a slot and had to retry my luck the following day.

When you make your reservation, you specify how you want to be addressed (”young lady” or “madam”), and how you want to be seen off (e.g. “It’s time for you to go out.”). If you’ve “gone home” at least three times, you’re eligible for a birthday service once during your birthday month. The birthday gift is a message card from the butler of that day, and a caddy of the tea of the month.

(to be continued…)

I went to see the documentary film last month in Shibuya. I’d seen his works at an exhibition at the Hara Museum May of last year.

The museum cafe creates a special “image cake” for each exhibition. This was the dessert for the Darger exhibition:

The image cake was a mousse of a Vivian girl decorated with edible flowers. I felt so guilty as I was eating her face!

The Hara Museum used to be a private residence, so it’s not that big a museum. I like going there because they have interesting exhibitions (I went to see a Momoko doll exhibitition when Momoko was still an indies doll), and they have cool goods in their museum shop. And the image cake.

Is out as well.

Is out.