Mr. Kikuchi is too much of a technophobe to want e-mail greetings, but you can still write him through regular mail (snailmail). His birthday is in September, if you want to send him greetings for that occasion. Kevin Leahy, the kind person who reports on Hideyuki Kikuchi's "Talk Live" get-togethers (listed here) has the opportunity to speak with Mr. Kikuchi -- and to forward your cards or notes to him. IMPORTANT: Kevin adds the following instructions/suggestions for those of you wishing to send greetings Mr. Kikuchi. 1. Address the envelope to Kevin Leahy, NOT to "Hideyuki Kikuchi" or "Hideyuki Kikuchi c/o Kevin Leahy." The post office might not be able to deliver mail addressed to someone other than Kevin at his address. If you have something you want to remain sealed, send it inside a second, larger envelope. 2. NO PRESENTS, PLEASE. Kevin has to carry things to the Talk Live by train, and Mr. Kikuchi has to carry things home. At 5 a.m. (when the Talk Live usually ends), most people don't want to be overly burdened with baggage, no matter how well-intended. 3. Mr. K has worked as an English-to-Japanese translator, so he can read and understand a fair bit of English. Printing is safer than cursive, for the sake of clarity. If you're not a native speaker of English, don't worry--neither is he. Remember, it is the thought that counts. You can snail-mail Kevin at this address: Kevin Leahy Namiyanagi 1-15-2 Matsumoto-shi, Nagano-ken 390-0825 JAPAN *** Airmail postage rates from the USA as of 8 January 2001: Postcard (up to 4-1/4" x 6"), 55 cents; envelope up to 1 ounce, 80 cents. The U.S. Postal Service estimates that 6 sheets of paper weigh about an ounce; I've found that this is true only for relatively lightweight paper. A greeting card plus one or two sheets of paper will probably weigh less than an ounce, unless it's a very heavy greeting card. According to the U.S. Postal Service, regular airmail to Japan takes 4 to 7 days to arrive. Allowing more like 10 days a good idea, however. You can also send mail by Global Priority -- it costs a lot more, but it will probably get there in less than a week. If you live outside the U.S., consult your country's postal service for rates and speed of delivery to Japan. *** Kevin's first translation of Mr. Kikuchi's work has finally seen publication. What a great time to let the author know that he has supportive fans outside Japan! Hideyuki Kikuchi has created a universe that fans throughout the world have glimpsed with delight through the original Vampire Hunter D movie; he deserves positive feedback from those of us who have enjoyed, even indirectly, the fruits of his labors. This is our chance to let him know that we applaud his efforts and look forward to more.