Two Japanese Water Droppers

These two small water droppers were given to us while we were in Japan in 1978.  The top one is by Umeo Yamamoto  from Yunotsu and the other is one of Ohta-sans from Koishiwara in Kyushu. Water droppers are used to dilute the ink used for brush writing and painting in Japan.

Collected Pieces

The sculptured birds and the unglazed vase are by an Auckland couple who sadly are no longer together.  The birds are lovely and are often remarked upon by visitors.  The vase does not hold water but can be made useful by inserting a small jar inside and then it can be used for flower arrangements.

Sake Cups

Sake cups come in all shapes and sizes it seems.  The taller one in the top image is by Hollis Engley a potter from Massachusetts in U.S.A.  I like the effects of the firing and also its shape.  The two smaller ones are modern Japanese sake cups by Kuroda San who, a long time ago visited me here in New Zealand and whom I was able to visit when I was last in Japan.