Shino Sake Cup

This little Shino Sake Cup is one of several sake cups we were given as gifts when we were in Japan. This lovely example shows what Japanese shino looks like as opposed to what is shown as shino in New Zealand and the U S A. I hope you like this pot.

West Coast Road

This scene was taken between Reefton and Murchison on the West Coast of the South Island. The contrast of colour between these trees, which I think are Aspen, and the olive greens of New Zealand Native bush is quite remarkable. Unfortunately, the Native bush in this area has been replaced with Radiata Pine for milling.

Shimisu Kosho's "Mad Buddha" Figure

This is one of Shimisu Kosho's "Mad Buddha" figures that were shown at our exhibition in Osaka. There were several of these delightful small figures and we had to wonder about the Head Abbot of the Todaiaji Temple in Nara having such a wonderful sense of humour. Wish we had been able to purchase one and bring it home!

Kinuta at Exhibition

This Kinuta is similar to the one shown in the last scroll image on my blog. Again it is arranged as would be used in a Tea Ceremony. Mr. Fujii's friends who did these arrangements were all very artistic people and we enjoyed their company and very much appreciated their help when setting up the exhibition.

Another Shimisu Kosho Scroll

This is another of the scrolls painted by Shimisu Kosho shown at our exhibition in Osaka together with some of the pots. I have no idea what message the painting gives but it will be a Buddhist saying, probably of considerable depth. As a hanging scroll I think it is wonderful.

Very Early Blossom

For a change I could not resist showing this early apricot blossom called "Geisha". It comes out in late May and lasts through to end June. It is most beautifully perfumed and, although I know nothing about Geisha, it seems to be very appropriately named.

Kakehana

Here is another of the pots that were arranged for our joint exhibition in Osaka. Kakehana are often used in the Tea Ceremony and are always arranged very simply. The usual place for hanging the kakehana is on the wooden post at the side of the tokonoma which is a recessed area where a hanging scroll would also be shown. I will post more about Shimisu Kosho soon.

Hanging Scroll

This scroll was done by Shimisu Kosho who was an artist, wood carver and potter as well as being the Head Abbot of the Todaiaji Temple in Nara. He was a long time friend of Sanyo Fujii and was asked to show several scrolls and some of his ceramics at our joint exhibition in Osaka in 1984. Buddhist writings are usually very hard to translate but this one reads "Day, day, day, day and day, day" which would be much the same as our expression of "Day after day" or "Time after time".

Another Exhibition Pot

This is one of my pots shown at the Osaka Exhibition. The flowers are not Ikebana style but are done in the more simple Tea Ceremony style. Many of Fujii-sensei's friends practiced Chado and they did the flowers for the exhibition. Next time I will show a picture of the scroll hanging on the left of this picture.

Estelle's Pot at Osaka Exhibition

This is one of Estelle's pots that was arranged and shown at our joint exhibition with Sanyo Fujii at the Mitsukoshi Gallery of Fine Art in Osaka, Japan in 1984. Over the next few weeks I will post more images of the exhibition which I hope you will enjoy.

Persimmon

These are astringent persimmon and most are left on the tree for the birds to eat. If I pick them earlier enough, and let them ripen indoors, they are quite delicious once they become very soft. They are shown here in one of Len Castle's lovely dishes.

Bizen Cylinder Vase

This pot is now in a private collection in Auckland but was used in a photo-shoot for the latest edition of "HOME New Zealand" magazine, my favorite magazine and one I always read from cover to cover. I love the brick wall background used in the photographs of the Design Awards 2010 pictures in the same issue.

New Zealand Native Bird

This photograph of a Kea was taken at Arthur's Pass in the South Island. These cheeky and rather destructive birds can rip the windshield wipers and rubber window surrounds of a car in a few minutes given the chance. When they fly they show a beautiful orange/red colour under their wings. I was not quick enough to photograph one in flight.

Bizen Pot by Estelle

This Bizen style pot made by Estelle shows what is known as "Sangiri" effects which did not occur very often in our anagama. It was purchased recently by a Japanese visitor and has now joined the three hundred plus pots of ours that reside in private collections in Japan.

Photo of Estelle

This photo of Estelle was taken many years ago when we were at a photographic convention at Taupo. There was to be a dinner and dance so Estelle went to town to have her hair done. The hairdresser was of Greek decent and just loved Estelle's long hair as he said it reminded him of doing his sister's hair when he was in Greece. The photo has been scanned from a slide which was taken in available light before the party.