(The following is the English translation of the e-mail sent to our Japanese customers.)

This is Kanako Yoshida from YOUYOUANG.

How have you been?

Here in Maebashi, the mornings and evenings have started to bring refreshing breezes. Being in the countryside, once the sun goes down, the chirping of bell crickets fills the air beautifully.

On my morning walks, the red spider lilies have begun blooming, and the rice ears are starting to bow their heads. The beautiful season of “Autumn in Japan” has arrived.

From September 3rd to 5th, we once again exhibited at the Tokyo Gift Show. We were happy to showcase our new gift item “Nei”, as well as the “Sleeve”—a new style of gift wrapping, which received a wonderful response.

We were delighted to welcome so many visitors again this time. It was such a pleasure to see everyone. Thank you very much.

On the weekend right after the exhibition, I took part in Ironman South Hokkaido.
Yes, it’s the long-distance triathlon: 3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, and a full marathon (42.195 km) run.

It rained during the latter part of the exhibition in Tokyo, and then the seasonal autumn rain front (called akisame zensen in Japan moved northward, bringing storms into Hokkaido. Although Friday’s check-in was sunny (photo), on Saturday—the day before the race—the sea had turned rough due to the storm, and the official test swim was canceled. The crashing waves were so loud that I wanted to shout, “You expect us to swim in that tomorrow?!”

On race day, as expected, the sea was full of whitecaps like a surfing beach. The waves were so high that I couldn’t even see the target buoys. Every time I had to check a buoy using my unfamiliar treading technique, my legs cramped up. Eventually even one the buoys were swept away by the waves, leaving all of us athletes lost at sea—a situation unheard of! (laughs)
Still, after nearly two hours, I managed to finish the swim just within the time limit.

I stripped off my wetsuit and moved on to the bike, but something felt off. Normally, I enjoy the bike section the most, happily speeding along, but this time my legs wouldn’t respond and my pace wouldn’t pick up. As more and more riders passed me, I kept telling myself, “It’ll work out somehow,” and kept pedaling. But the cramps grew more frequent, and I ended up using all six packets of Shakuyaku-Kanzoto, a Japanese herbal medicine I carry for leg cramps.

“What should I do…” I stopped for a moment and thought. Then I decided, “At least I must make it to the next aid station.” I pressed on slowly.

At the 120 km aid station, the official greeted me with a smile and waved a white flag, meaning, “You made it in time.” I was so happy I nearly cried. But I knew I didn’t have the strength left to cover the remaining 60 km of cycling and then a full marathon. My race ended there.

I will train again so I can report back with a successful finish next year.
　

Right now, Niigata Isetan Department Store is hosting an event for us just like this time last year. The theme feels like, “Enjoy the long autumn nights with scent.” This weekend I’ll be at the sales floor in kimono. Thankfully, the muscle soreness is starting to ease.

I’m looking forward to meeting and speaking with many customers in Niigata. I will be heading there this evening.

By the way, the Pacific saury this autumn is so delicious, isn’t it? I think I’ll grill some again tonight and enjoy it with sake.