A Tsubo

One of our ceramic works was featured in a Japanese magazine last year before it arrived to our store here.

It is made by Tochi Nakano, the 4th generation of potter in Karatsu City, Saga.

This yakishime vase compliments mixture of branches and flowers.

16" height 18" 

diameteryakishime = After a piece is formed out of clay, it is fired "as is" without the addition of glaze.

Chopstick Workshop

In Japan, we use chopsticks everyday.

(Some people eat spaghetti with them too!  I can't since it's too slippery.)

But not so many people have made their own chopsticks.

Our chopstick workshop started at 10 am.

People first choose the wood they liked by sight without actually knowing what type of woods they are.

Saburo, the instructor, brought about 20 different kinds.

Each looks, smells, and feels so different from one another.

Everyone picked what he/she liked at the first impression and started carving.

It was a quiet peaceful moment when everyone was concentrating on their work.

The picture above was provided by Arcy, one of the participants.

Glassware

It's been pretty hot recently and I really like it!  Every day is a perfect day for the beach.

What does hot weather make you crave for?

It makes me want to drink iced tea or juice in nice glassware.

I thought it would be nice to carry some these glassware for summer.

In the photo, shown are some of the handmade blown glass.

It is definitely fun to use different types of tableware for each season :)

Origami

In Japan, almost everyone can make origami cranes.  All Japanese kids learn how to do it.

I don't remember exactly when I first learned it.  I just instantly remember how I go about once I start folding a square piece of paper.  

It is said that your dreams will come true if you fold 1,000 cranes.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki memorial parks are filled with those cranes to hope for world peace.  People also make cranes as a get-well gift for the seriously ill.

I'm sure there is something like this in other countries as well.

Let me know what people do in other cultures and countries!

Yo's wood carving

I was thinking about how amazing wood is.

The aroma of it soothes your stress away.

Yo and I met a few months ago through another artist.

He showed me some of his carvings then and told me how he started getting into his art.

Yo has a really soft mild voice when he talks just like a gentle breeze going through woods.

This is my favorite piece of his, in the picture above.

You can sit or lay on them and it gives you a nice sensation.

I tried it and it just feels so good.

Each ball massages pressure points gently.

I hope to be able to make something as beautiful as this one day!

Summer Green

Isn't it so relaxing to look at fresh green leaves?

I am so lucky to work in such a great environment.

We have different kinds of plants and trees in the Japanese garden behind the shop.

Ivy vines are covering the walls and they are so green now.

They are actually our neighbors' and wanted to immigrate to our place :)

How nice of them!

The family is growing.  Baby leaves are everywhere.

It is just amazing what nature can give us.

Happy 4th, everyone!

Beauty in Nature Reception

It was a really nice day last Saturday and the reception went really well.

My favorite of Emet's photos are the Koi series, especially the square ones you see in the photo above.

Each square is assembled by four square panels.  You can separate those into a vertical or horizontal line or however you want.

It is a very traditional Asian motif, but very contemporary as well.  I love the mixture!

Yo's wood carving workshop was held outside the shop.

He put a Japanese fisherman's ship flag on the ground for everyone to sit on.

I love those flags because of the vivid colors and the Japanese writing.

It is such a perfect idea to use it as a picnic sheet.  I will get one when I go to Japan next time.

The exhibition is until August 29th!

We are looking forward to seeing you soon :)