“Dome Ceramics World” in Nagoya !

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”Dome Yakimono (Ceramics) World” is one of the major national-wide ceramics exhibitions in Japan. We can enjoy a great variety of pottery and porcelain all over Japan at one location. As in Japan, there are countless local yakimono (ceramics) festivals from time to time, as matter of fact, the exhibitions are opportunity to see effectively many potters’ works and familiar potters. About 300 booths of individual potters and local guilds were there. The similar events will be held in Tokyo and in Fukuoka the early next year.

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A paper mill of Ogawa Washi (Japanese hand-made paper)

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This is an additional picture of the Ogawawashi in serial form. The photo is of “Paper making”. He is the 4th generation of the paper making family of Shoutaro Kubo. We are using this Ogawa Washi for wrapping wooden boxes of sake cups.
The Ogawa Washi (Japanese paper) is one of the famed hand-made Japanese paper in Japan. Ogawa town, a center of production enjoy a clean stream and a good paper mulberry for Washi making. The origin of Ogawa Washi go back 1,300years ago when many naturalized Koreans introduced a technique of hand-made paper making in the area. During the Edo era, Ogawa town became major area of washi supply to Edo (Old Tokyo). There are many paper crafts by using the Ogawa Washi.

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Ogawa Washi, one of Japanese paper !

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20131109久保製紙直販所Ogawa Washi (Japanese paper) is one of the famed hand-made Japanese paper in Japan. Ogawa town, a center of production enjoy a clean stream and a good paper mulberry for Washi making. The origin of Ogawa Washi go back 1,300years ago when many naturalized Koreans introduced a technique of hand-made paper making in the area. During the Edo era, Ogawa town became major area of washi supply to Edo (Old Tokyo).
There are many paper crafts by using Ogawa Washi. We are using this Ogawa Washi for wrapping wooden boxes of sake cups. The photo is an exhibition hall of Ogawa washi.

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Historical Village of Shirakawa-go in Hida

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Sirakawa-Go (literally “White River District”) is one of Japan World Heritage Sites. The area is very popular among foreign tourists as well as Japanese ones because of its tender atmosphere with the old-fashioned houses. The houses are known as Gassho-zukuri, “prayer-hands construction” style which used to be typical style at the snowy area in Japan.
In general, the region including Sirakawa-Go is called Hida Takayama where many craftworks and historical heritage are well-known. Koito-Yaki and Shibukusa-Yaki are typical examples for pottery making.

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Kumamoto-Jo, one of the famed castles in Japan

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There are many beautiful castles all over Japan. Kumamoto-jo (castle) is one of them and listed as one of the three major castles in Japan. Others are Himeji-jo (Hyogo) and Matsumoto-jo (Mtasumoto). Main castle tower (right) is 3-storied appearance-wise and 6-storied inside with beautiful “Chidorihafu” roofs. The center is Sub-castle tower and the left is Udo-yagura (turret) which was regarded as the previous main castle tower.

In this area, there are traditional Shodai-Yaki and Kouda-Yaki, which started in the mid-17th century by many Agano-Yaki potters led by the lord, Tadatoshi Hoskawa when he was transferred from current Fukuoka Prefecture.

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Sports Fukiya (Draft-blowing through a blowgun) game

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Sports Fukiya (Draft-blowing through a blow gun) game was held with about 700 participants in Saitama. The Sports Fukiya is one of growing hobby, especially among elderly people because of its simple rule in addition to lighter exercise. Although it is easy to start Sports Fukiya, they will learn soon that stable breathing and mental factor are important to get higher score. Player can blow five drafts a game at a distance (6, 7, 8, 9 or 10m depending on their levels) and get a score from 0 to 7 points per shoot. So, a perfect shoot becomes 35 points.
In this Sports Fukiya game, many lovely children competed each other.

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Traditional Japanese sword making area, Osafune, Okayama

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Inbe town of Okayama Prefecture is well-known as a Bizen-Yaki producing center,which is one of the Six old Kilns in Japan. Within easy driving distance, thereis a traditional Japanese sword making area, called Osafune. Since the area havebeen producing high-quality iron sand for steel and red pine tree for charcoal
making. Osafune sword has been designated as one of the five traditional swordmaking areas. To complete a Japanese sword making, many specialists likeswordsmiths, metalwoekers, scrabbard makers and the like are involved. In thephoto, a sword polisher sharpen and polish a sword.

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Ashikaga Gakko of Japan’s oldest school

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Ashikaga Gakko is known as the oldest academic institution in Japan which is located in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, in the north of Tokyo. There are several theories when the school was founded, from Nara period to Kamakura period. It was restored in 1423 by Duputy Shogun Ueshugi Norizane who donated the many books which are designated as national heritages now. The school had become the greatest institution in Japan, with about 3,000 students from all over the country. The pioneering Roman Catholic missionary, St. Francis Xavier noted in 1549 that the school was the largest and most well-known one of eastern Japan.

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Ryumon Daki (Falls) near Ryumonji-Yaki in Kagoshima

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According to a local legend, it is said that the falls was named by a Chinese since the scene resembled one of the falls in China. In spite of the looks, it literally means “Dragon Gate Falls”. The size is 46 meters in height and 43 meters in width. It looks like a gentle falls to us. It has been selected as one of the 100 famous falls in Japan
In this area, Ryumonji-Yaki, one of Satsuma-Yaki family in Kagoshima Prefecture, which has had a quite long history of pottery making and been designated as the national objects of traditional craftworks by the Government.

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Cherry Blossom Viewing

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Almost all Japanese cannot wait for spring to come so we can see and enjoy cherry blossoms. Cherry blossom viewing is an annual tradition and event in Japan. Many people will have a “cherry-blossom-viewing” party under the cherry trees with a variety of foods and alcoholic beverages like sake. Many spots are crowded with blossom viewers.

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