那天在大澳的半山石商店，店主Max眉飛色舞說著這日曆印刷得極好，要我一定摸摸看。紙片順滑輕薄，像牛油紙般兩面質地不同，一天一張，如同傳統掛曆，小時候都會看畢上面印著的每日宜忌，那個年紀單純覺得看不太懂的文字有點有趣。
這是ハルカゼ舎的出品，日本東京世田谷區一家人氣很高的小小文具店，店子位處安靜的街區，感覺像小學時家附近一定有個下課後愛蹓的小店，在父母安心的距離內便可遲一點回家，明明每天在逛卻都能在貨堆裡自得其樂。
ハルカゼ舎每年都會製作這個像memo一樣、比掌心還小的日曆，每天印著一句說話。日曆一張，每天只有一次，那時總是期待撕下來，現在卻覺得好像太快走完了一整年。但如同他們製作的初衷：「快樂的日子、虛弱的日子、期待已久的日子、享受四季的日子。喜歡每天都像備忘錄一樣翻閱。」日子翻起來，有時候飛揚，有時候粘得妥妥貼貼要仔細點才能把它掀開，用一點力、一點時間與耐性。
Nestled in Tai O is Anchorage Store. Max, the owner, was insisting that I touch this beautifully printed calendar. The sheets were thin and silky – like parchment paper, one side was glossier than the other. As is characteristic of traditional Chinese wall calendars, each sheet of the calendar represented each day in the year. I remembered obsessing with the credulous, daily do’s and don’ts when I was little – there was something fascinating about words which you did not understand.
The calendar was produced by Harukazesha, a highly popular stationery shop in Setagaya, Tokyo. Located in a quiet street, it’s the kind of neighbourhood shop where you would hang around in every day after school, and your parents would know that you’re safe. You’d go there often enough to know the shop inside out by heart, still nothing would bring you greater joy than to touch – and see – every curiosity on offer.
Every year, Harukazesha releases this memo-like, miniature calendar. Smaller than a palm, each sheet represents a day, and each day features a quote. The ceremonial gesture of tearing off each day glimmers with anticipation, but the days are long – and the year is short. Soon, the thrill of ceremony is overshadowed by the passage of time. But as Harukazesha preaches, “There are days of joy, days of vulnerability, days of anticipation, and days of enjoyment. The beauty lies in leafing through every single page.” Some days the pages come alive, dancing between one’s fingers. Other days, they are stuck in a blur, demanding a bit more strength, time and a bit more patience.
