Search found 40 matches

by Joji Matsuo
November 2nd, 2022, 9:46 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: RIP Max Maven
Replies: 69
Views: 11233

Re: RIP Max Maven

Last night (November 1) at about 9:30pm, our world lost a great mind. Max Maven died comfortably, surrounded by friends and loved ones. I have nothing to add at this time except to say, shibaraku. Shibraku ("for a while...") is so very very appropriate. And sounds like something he would ...
by Joji Matsuo
December 6th, 2019, 10:34 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Taxi!
Replies: 5
Views: 1721

Re: Taxi!

My Uber ride history says $45.89 from LAX term 7 to the castle.
by Joji Matsuo
May 19th, 2019, 5:54 am
Forum: Kaufman & Company
Topic: DeLand
Replies: 187
Views: 819685

Re: DeLand

I received my four uncut sheets in very good condition. Which brings me to this question, how is everyone displaying their sheets? I intend to frame them and put them up on my walls. Am also looking for a double-sided frame that you can flip over to show the other side without taking the sheet out. ...
by Joji Matsuo
May 3rd, 2018, 12:12 am
Forum: Link Watch
Topic: The End Times Magazine
Replies: 74
Views: 49070

Re: The End Times Magazine

Glad I stumbled upon this thread.
After reading Spoiler Alert, this is a no-brainer.
by Joji Matsuo
May 16th, 2017, 8:54 pm
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: The Works
Replies: 206
Views: 538598

Re: The Works

Just to add a word about how well Tim treats his customers. I subscribed to the Works and waited for it to arrive for a few weeks. While on a business trip in the US, I read on this forum that many had already received their props so I asked my wife many times if she'd received the shipment. Turns o...
by Joji Matsuo
August 14th, 2016, 9:05 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (August 2016)
Replies: 5
Views: 2325

Re: Magic Castle Happenings – The Good Stuff (August 2016)

Thanks to this post, and my remembering that I could find it here, is that I learned the Magic Castle will be closed on Sep 5, which is the day I was planning on going for the last 3 months. Since I'm visiting from Japan--and this will be my very first time--I can't tell you how much anguish your no...
by Joji Matsuo
August 2nd, 2016, 10:41 am
Forum: Kaufman & Company
Topic: The Contents of The Secrets of So Sato
Replies: 58
Views: 62840

Re: The Contents of The Secrets of So Sato

Hello Joji, Yes, he introduced himself as Yota :D I had no idea he have wrote lecture notes!! Regards I was standing next to Dan Garrett, who asked if I and Yohta were Japanese. We acknowledged and he immediately asked us to perform some magic from Japan. Yohta did his extremely clean and incredibl...
by Joji Matsuo
July 27th, 2016, 7:37 pm
Forum: Kaufman & Company
Topic: The Contents of The Secrets of So Sato
Replies: 58
Views: 62840

Re: The Contents of The Secrets of So Sato

Andres, I was at last year's Genii Convention, too, and met So Sato for the first time. The Japanese gentlemen from NY was Fukuda Yohta san, and he is the author of at least two OOP lecture notes, neither of which I have. He appears (masked) in this trailor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GaK0Kf6y...
by Joji Matsuo
July 26th, 2016, 7:10 pm
Forum: Kaufman & Company
Topic: The Contents of The Secrets of So Sato
Replies: 58
Views: 62840

Re: The Contents of The Secrets of So Sato

I decided to buy this at the recommendation of Mama san at Magicland, after she told me for the umpteenth time that Sato's original lecture notes were still out of print. She said if it's Richard who is publishing his book in English, it'll be better than the original.
by Joji Matsuo
July 7th, 2016, 8:35 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Smash & Stab Goes Wrong
Replies: 31
Views: 11350

Re: Smash & Stab Goes Wrong

"Those who do not study the past....",,,, The past? My article of a few months ago addressed this very problem and gave a free and generous solution with this caveat, "First! Never use an audience member as the smashie!" I did use those exact words but my meaning was plain. &quo...
by Joji Matsuo
June 24th, 2016, 9:54 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Secrets of a Peurto Rican Gambler and For Your Entertainment Pleasure!
Replies: 23
Views: 9815

Re: Secrets of a Peurto Rican Gambler and For Your Entertainment Pleasure!

Funny, I devoured these books in my youth. Not saying I mastered any of it, but I worked on every routine. Then I got a copy of Harry Lorayne's Quantum Leaps and felt completely completely over my head. I couldn't visualize what Piet Forton's Pop Out Move should look like. Luckily, there were lots ...
by Joji Matsuo
June 24th, 2016, 9:33 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Secrets of a Peurto Rican Gambler and For Your Entertainment Pleasure!
Replies: 23
Views: 9815

Re: Secrets of a Peurto Rican Gambler and For Your Entertainment Pleasure!

It's funny, the control in the book is the one thing I've replaced with something else. I just never found that particular control to be very deceptive (in my hands). I should probably restudy it. You're not the first person to mention that. I don't think any magician will ever find it deceptive, b...
by Joji Matsuo
June 22nd, 2016, 3:31 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Secrets of a Peurto Rican Gambler and For Your Entertainment Pleasure!
Replies: 23
Views: 9815

Re: Secrets of a Peurto Rican Gambler and For Your Entertainment Pleasure!

Daryl was the main guest at Hakone last April. There is a little contest we have where about a dozen participants volunteer to show a single effect each. I did Triumph straight out of Secrets of a Puerto Rican Gambler and Daryl complimented me on it. I knew it was a nice gesture by the master, but w...
by Joji Matsuo
October 9th, 2015, 9:12 pm
Forum: Convention Reports
Topic: Genii Convention
Replies: 51
Views: 31950

Re: Genii Convention

The Genii Convention was my first convention in the US and I had a really great time. I felt like I was dreaming every minute. The scheduling was brilliant with lots of time between shows. Gave me plenty of time to think and rethink about what to buy. As a result, I spent lots of money on books, an...
by Joji Matsuo
September 28th, 2015, 6:17 am
Forum: Convention Reports
Topic: Genii Convention - shuttle from airport to hotel
Replies: 12
Views: 11677

Genii Convention - shuttle from airport to hotel

Thanks, Doug.

That's a little more reasonable. I'll reserve my return ride after I arrive at the hotel.
by Joji Matsuo
September 28th, 2015, 12:12 am
Forum: Convention Reports
Topic: Genii Convention - shuttle from airport to hotel
Replies: 12
Views: 11677

Re: Genii Convention - shuttle from airport to hotel

Apologies for this off-topic post, but I could use some advice. I was going to book a Mears ride to the airport on the 5th, after the convention. My flight leaves for Chicago at 6:20 AM but their website insists on setting a pickup time of 3:20 AM. Is Orlando airport that crowded early Monday mornin...
by Joji Matsuo
September 27th, 2015, 6:37 am
Forum: Tenyo
Topic: Your next Tenyo puchases
Replies: 11
Views: 3885

Re: Your next Tenyo puchases

I forgot to explain _oshimai_ means the equivalent of "that's all folks."


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
by Joji Matsuo
September 27th, 2015, 1:42 am
Forum: Tenyo
Topic: Your next Tenyo puchases
Replies: 11
Views: 3885

Re: Your next Tenyo puchases

The method is obvious to almost anyone. The trick was designed for Asian audiences: when you insert the tissue into your hand, with the ends gathered, it looks like a dumpling. No western person will recognize that. The trick is Kawaii. It is also used with a play on words that will only work in Ja...
by Joji Matsuo
August 28th, 2015, 10:48 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Another controversy brewing?
Replies: 3
Views: 1721

Re: Another controversy brewing?

Takamiz, whom I have met, writes on his FB wall that he was contacted by Stephen Brundage well before he became famous on YouTube for permission to include his handling in an upcoming DVD. Now that DVD has been released, but Takamiz is not credited. The full story is not as cut and dry as I have des...
by Joji Matsuo
August 28th, 2015, 4:06 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Penn & Teller: Fool Us - Season 2
Replies: 145
Views: 48767

Re: Penn & Teller: Fool Us - Season 2

[quote="Ristiharju"]Funny... People criticize decision that Joshua Jay fooled Penn&Teller here when their own guesses are as far of as Penn&Teller's was :lol: There was no deck switch nor there was switch of a card or ringing in extra card from index. The routine is published in Jo...
by Joji Matsuo
August 13th, 2015, 6:09 am
Forum: Mentalism & Mental Magic
Topic: Looking for routines with a double faced watch.
Replies: 1
Views: 2020

Re: Looking for routines with a double faced watch.

I'd be interested in this too. I own a Rotary watch, so I can hand it out for examination before and after changing the face. I do a simple color change effect with a time-zone theme. I discovered it was usable for magic after I bought the watch.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
by Joji Matsuo
August 10th, 2015, 7:00 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Looking forward to the Genii Convention
Replies: 4
Views: 2974

Looking forward to the Genii Convention

Hello everyone, I'm going to the Genii Convention and am very excited. In a way, I travel for a living so I have very little time to spend reading and practicing magic, so I figured the convention would give me a concentrated dose of what I need most--more magic and fun. I look forward to putting fa...
by Joji Matsuo
April 6th, 2015, 6:48 pm
Forum: Convention Reports
Topic: Hakone 2015, Japan
Replies: 7
Views: 8116

Re: Hakone 2015, Japan

I've accidentally found this place with my wife and we had a great time. It'sis called a museum, but it's more like a shop with a few connected rooms that customers can walk through. The door to this "museum" is one of the highlights of the whole tour. After you enter, display cases lined ...
by Joji Matsuo
April 6th, 2015, 11:42 am
Forum: Convention Reports
Topic: Hakone 2015, Japan
Replies: 7
Views: 8116

Re: Hakone 2015, Japan

Dear Max,
Thank you for the correction and the compliment!

Joji
by Joji Matsuo
April 6th, 2015, 10:42 am
Forum: Convention Reports
Topic: Hakone 2015, Japan
Replies: 7
Views: 8116

Hakone 2015, Japan

While it may not be accessible to most English-speaking magicians, The New Hakone Close-up Magic Festival celebrated its 32nd year over the Easter weekend. This year's guests were Harrot Yu (Taiwan), Jared Kopf, Max Maven, and Eugene Burger. This two-day convention is sponsored in whole by Tokyo's M...
by Joji Matsuo
January 16th, 2014, 10:26 pm
Forum: General
Topic: Feb 2014 Issue
Replies: 12
Views: 4721

Re: Feb 2014 Issue

Dr. Sawa posted the cover photo on his FB.
That is a beautiful cover, and quite timely with the cherry blossoms just a few months away.
by Joji Matsuo
January 19th, 2013, 9:01 pm
Forum: Magician's Local Hangouts
Topic: Native and Foreigner Magicians in Japan?
Replies: 11
Views: 67024

Re: Native and Foreigner Magicians in Japan?

Wow, the New Fujiya is a big gig. I forgot about them. And your ice stage sounds really neat. Did the hotel have a big crowd when you were here? The NFH is owned by the Ito-en group which is a pretty huge conglomerate in the travel industry in Japan so it must have been interesting to work there. I ...
by Joji Matsuo
January 18th, 2013, 8:02 pm
Forum: Magician's Local Hangouts
Topic: Native and Foreigner Magicians in Japan?
Replies: 11
Views: 67024

Re: Native and Foreigner Magicians in Japan?

Jeffrey Korst wrote:Wow, my 6 months performing in Atami would have been so different if the internet had existed. Kamakura was such an easy train ride away (and Fuji wasn't so far either) but I had no way to search for local magicians in 1988.


6 months in Atami??? You must have slighted someone reeeel bad.
by Joji Matsuo
January 15th, 2013, 9:59 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Announcement of a Secret Project
Replies: 192
Views: 35170

Re: Announcement of a Secret Project

Feels nice to finally know.
by Joji Matsuo
January 12th, 2013, 2:40 am
Forum: Light From the Lamp
Topic: Tom Stone ebooks
Replies: 15
Views: 7092

Re: Tom Stone ebooks

Any particular recommendations? Were any of these included in the big books? I haven't had time to read everything I got. I wanted to grab some things during this two-day window so I clicked through the links on Tom's website to read the reviews here and on the MC to decide. That said, if you're a ...
by Joji Matsuo
January 10th, 2013, 8:34 pm
Forum: Light From the Lamp
Topic: Tom Stone ebooks
Replies: 15
Views: 7092

Re: Tom Stone ebooks

Thanks for the heads up.
I recently read the 2010 Genii feature on Tom and wanted to get my hands on some of his material (thinking).
DL'd Random walk, Plots, Spells, and Typos, Marvelpiece, and Flatland. Now to find a cave to hide in before my wife finds out.
by Joji Matsuo
January 3rd, 2013, 7:24 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: FINALLY! All Genii Back Issues Can Now Be Accessed Individually
Replies: 35
Views: 5947

Re: FINALLY! All Genii Back Issues Can Now Be Accessed Individually

I notice we also have access to the New Conjurer's Magazine. Thank you for all the extra material.
by Joji Matsuo
December 19th, 2012, 6:23 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: I've been hosed!
Replies: 9
Views: 2969

Re: I've been hosed!

Jeff Haas wrote:Joji - Search ebay for "fake iPhone" - you can get plastic demo shells very inexpensively, that should be very light.

That would work, but it wouldn't allow me to do it with a borrowed iPhone, which is how the gimmick was intended to work with cell phones.
by Joji Matsuo
December 19th, 2012, 3:31 am
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Flash Contests Coming SOON on The Genii Forum
Replies: 115
Views: 17318

Re: Flash Contests Coming SOON on The Genii Forum

Pete McCabe wrote:It's clearly an unfair advantage for him to be 14 hours ahead of us.


Yes, but I suppose the postage will make it disadvantageous for Richard. I believe this is one of those situations where you just have to live in the US or Europe.
by Joji Matsuo
December 18th, 2012, 10:19 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: I've been hosed!
Replies: 9
Views: 2969

Re: I've been hosed!

So that's how you use this brick magnet...

I bought a gimmick for floating a cell phone when cell phones were going out of style. Smart phones are too heavy for the gimmick. I guess the timing of this purchase was the real problem, not the gimmick itself.
by Joji Matsuo
December 18th, 2012, 9:22 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Flash Contests Coming SOON on The Genii Forum
Replies: 115
Views: 17318

Re: Flash Contests Coming SOON on The Genii Forum

Actually, I think WE are 14 hours ahead of you.
by Joji Matsuo
December 18th, 2012, 7:53 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Flash Contests Coming SOON on The Genii Forum
Replies: 115
Views: 17318

Re: Flash Contests Coming SOON on The Genii Forum

Slept in the afternoon so that I could be awake at this time in Japan but couldn't manage it. Will try again today.
by Joji Matsuo
November 21st, 2012, 9:49 pm
Forum: Magician's Local Hangouts
Topic: Native and Foreigner Magicians in Japan?
Replies: 11
Views: 67024

Re: Native and Foreigner Magicians in Japan?

I used to go to school on the US Naval base there so I know how you must feel. Currently, I live in Fuji, Shizuoka which is easily 3+ hours from where you are. I don't know anyone who speaks English and does magic in your area. However, I do know that there is a well established club in Kamakura. Th...
by Joji Matsuo
November 15th, 2012, 8:46 pm
Forum: Feature Articles
Topic: Fascinating recount of 75 years of Genii
Replies: 7
Views: 11713

Fascinating recount of 75 years of Genii

The feature article in the Nov Dec issue of Genii was very captivating. Thanks for the insight into how this magazine continues to reign in the world of magic.
by Joji Matsuo
November 14th, 2012, 9:12 pm
Forum: iGenii
Topic: iGenii: So much more than just a magazine subscription
Replies: 0
Views: 2366

iGenii: So much more than just a magazine subscription

I recently bought a subscription to the international digital version of Genii and I am so mad at myself for not doing this sooner. Not only do you get two ways to browse through each issue, the browser app for the iPad/iPhone also gives you access to the last 12 months of Genii. So really, you get ...

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