Back Streets in Kyoto

The back streets of Kyoto are beautiful places to wander through.  This cobbled street with the bamboo fence and willow trees made a lovely change to the hot inner city streets.  I wonder whether the bamboo fence was just a random happening or a carefully planned construction.  The wooden lantern I find very appealing.

When we were in Japan we were able to visit the Urasenki Research Centre and were entertained at a small Tea Ceremony.  Their gardens were very lovely and I was struck by the bamboo on the left of this picture which has bright green stripes along its stems.  This wonderfully fired Mizusashi was in the window of a shop selling Tea Ceremony goods just next to the Research Centre.  Sadly, I was unable to obtain the name of the potter.

Two of Japan's Lovely Mountains

The top picture is of Mt. Iwaki in the Aomori Prefecture.  It is not so well known as Mt Fuji but is known as the Fuji of the North.  The picture of the real Fujiyama was taken from the shinkanzen as it sped along between Tokyo and Kyoto.

More Old Japan

Inland from Matsumoto the area around Narai has some facinating reminders of what Old Japan must have been like.  The top photograph is of a shop in Narai with the old lantern and shoe box.  The lower photograph is of part of the Nakasendo Road which was the inland route between Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo).  It is a wonderful walk in the shade of the trees even on a very hot day.

Pictures from Japan

These pictures were taken in Obama near the Japan Sea coast.  The houses are typical of this area and of much of old Japan.  The cosmos were in a small garden at the station and brightened up the area considerably.

Interesting Pots

The photo of the Chinese celadon vase with the dragon decoration I took while I was in Japan but can not remember just where.  The other photo of one of Lisa Hammond's large pots I think was taken by David Binch.  Both are magnificent pieces.

Early Anagama Pot

This is one of Estelle's early anagama pots and is now a favourite in her sister's collection.  The other photo is of Estelle assessing our pots from our first firing.  As the pots were not quite as we expected them to be, at the time, we did not appreciate some of the effects that we had obtained.

Pictures

Sunlight and skylight are marvelous.  The top picture is of Raglan harbour with the light skimming across the water.  A wonderful place for flounder.  The silhouette of the tree was taken from a friends house in Hamilton late one afternoon recently.

Two new Aquisitions

This decorated plate is one of Estelle's early pieces and has been given to me on long term loan for my collection. The small lidded jar I found in an antique shop in Raglan (Waikato, New Zealand) last week.  The markings underneath have confirmed that the pot is from Tamba and was made at the Tanbun Pottery in Tachikui, Japan.  Looking at their web site I think it may have been made by Hisao Onishi as his work looks very similar but I may be wrong.