Greetings dear Chroniclers,

Is summer winding down for you, too? Or is spring just around the corner where you live?

A few of the maple trees here were turning red already in August. We rarely get that so early! While autumn is my favorite season, I'm not quite ready to let summer go.

Fox Masks & A Japanese Artisan

Kitsune (the Japanese word for fox) are my favorite creatures in the Japanese myths. When I learned about the New Year's kitsune parade at Ouji Inari Shrine (in northern Tokyo), you know I had to include it and the fox masks in my books! (If you choose to click on the Trip Advisor link, click on the "All Photos" button and scroll down. You'll see images from the parade.) Some day, I'll be in Tokyo over the New Year to see this parade and maybe even apply to be in it!

Mask obsession: I found a nice plastic kitsune mask online. But I've been hunting for a better quality one. When Hiromitsu-san's videos popped up in my YouTube suggestions, you know I had to watch!

If you'd like to see how these incredible masks are made, check out master craftsman Hiromitsu-san's videos. There are two for the kitsune mask. But he has videos on many others, too. He also explains each mask's significance. Knowing more about the various kinds allows us to appreciate each one.

Kitsune Mask Part 1 and Kitsune Mask Part 2

Have you seen this style of mask before?

Obligatory Ferret

Pocky and Mochi are getting so good at fishing! Mochi is the quickest to catch the water toys. And I know where she likes to hide them. :D

It's not often I share about my other pets: my betta (in his own tank) and cherry and Amano shrimp, and the lone mystery snail (all in the other tank). But as I was doing aquarium maintenance, I spotted a baby shrimp! The little baby is only about 2 mm. So tiny and it has just a hint of color! (I had 5 shrimp mamas carrying eggs. So there should be many more little ones hiding in the tank somewhere... Come out, come out where ever you are!)

FREE Books Ready To Download!

Books Gateway was updated August 28th with more tempting offerings!

and more...

Take me to the books!

Free stories in the Liminal Chronicles universe are available for a limited time. So grab them while you can.

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Question of the week: Have you seen kitsune masks or other types of Japanese masks?

When I was in Kurama (just north of Kyoto) we saw tengu masks for sale. (The ones with the red face and long nose—usually representing Soujoubou, king of the tengu.) I wish I would have bought one then. But I had no way to tuck safely it in my suitcase.

I have yet to see a kitsune mask for sale in Japan. But I'll keep hunting!

Bonus question: Would you ever wear such a mask?

Feel free to email me and let me know or share in the question of the week response form.

Expect to hear from me again in mid September.

Be the Difference. Be extraordinary.



All the best,

Amy

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• Ouji Inari Shrine: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1066448-d7389315-Reviews-Oji_Inari_Shrine-Kita_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html
• Kitsune Mask videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9ISByoa2yQ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLf_jCFmmkE
• Soujoubou: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C5%8Dj%C5%8Db%C5%8D
• Free Books Gateway https://hub.booksgateway.online/read
• Liminal Chronicles Freebies: https://go.liminalchronicles.com/freebies
• Question of the Week: https://go.amywintersvoss.com/NLQuestionOfTheWeek