Aid to Japan

At this time last year I had just returned from a visit to Japan with a group of friends and colleagues.  For me this was a life enriching experience and everywhere I went I was met with courtesy and kindness and I really wish to return and visit again some time in the future.  In the Guild of Enamellers we were looking forward to our annual conference and we welcomed Toshihide Ueeda as a tutor together with Daisuke Minagawa.  I have heard from Daisuke and from another contact in the Japan Enamel Artists Association to say that they and their families are safe.  We have all been shocked by the scenes of devastation from the earthquake and tsunami.  So many died and many are still lost and unaccounted for, may their souls rest in peace.

We can see that it will take much time and effort to begin a process of recovery and re-building.  There are many people who lost everything.  The Metal clay community are getting together to make a group contribution to the Shelterbox scheme.  You can pay into this using paypal and emailing your contribution to Jackie@artclayworld.com

You can also donate direct using a debit or credit card http://www.shelterbox.org

Day 4 in Japan

On the fourth day of our visit we went to the Art Clay Studio in Shinjuku and then to the temple complex at Asakusa.  This was stunningly beautiful and it was also perfect weather for walking around enjoying the sites.

We also visited a museum of traditional crafts where among other things saw these beautiful patinated vessels.

Day 3 in Japan

On the morning of day 3 of the Japan visit a number of the group decided we would like to walk from the hotel to the Aida factory.  I am really pleased that I did as I got to see far more than on the previous day's car ride.

This is very close to the hotel in Fuchu.

We had a quick look into the precinct of this substantial temple complex.

Even things like the drain or manhole covers and the tops of bollards were beautifully decorated and I loved the detail of the doorbell and security entry to a house we passed.  For our afternoon tea break Dice (Daisuke Minagawa) brought us these sweet treats to share.  They were sort of soft and slightly chewy and each one had a different flavour of filling.  I didn't try them all but of those I tried the pale one was my favourite, filled with some kind of soft cream cheese I think.  We had an introduction and overview of the new projects for the Art Clay certification course before making either a bee or spider.

At the end of the day some of the technical staff and artists from the factory came up and we all joined in the discussions of various pieces of work we had taken in to show them.  It was a very interesting exchange of ideas although Dice had to work really hard translating all the questions and answers.

Day 2 in Japan

The second day of my visit to Japan was spent in class at the factory of the Aida Corporation.  The class was taught by Ryota, who most of us had met at the Art Clay Conference in Jersey in October 2009.  He is a very skilled technician.  He taught us a beading technique for stone setting.  Here he is demonstrating how to hold and twist a drill bit keeping it upright and at right angles to the clay.

In the evening most of us went for a traditional Teppanyaki.  Above you can see Koskai beginning to cook the first dishes and here Ryota also cooking.  The food is cooked on a hotplate set level into each table.  It was a very sociable way of cooking with everyone tasting each dish.

Engakuji Temple, Kitakamakura

What a beautiful place this is.  I think more temple complex than a temple.  Very peaceful even though there were lots of visitors.

Back from Japan

I got back from my Japan trip late Sunday evening.  I need a little time now to reflect on all that I saw.  At this point all I can say is that it was beautiful, inspiring, magical, wonderful

Trip to Japan

I have spent a bit of time this afternoon sorting out and packing my suitcase ready for my visit to Japan.  I feel really lucky to have been invited to be part of this group organised by Glyn Mitchell of Zama UK.  We are visiting the Aida Corporation, who manufacture the art clay products; have workshops with Japanese tutors and a couple of visits planned.  It has special significance for me as in the front of one of my many notebooks a few years ago I wrote that I hoped one day to visit Japan.  I can't quite believe that I am setting off first thing in the morning.  I will travel down to London by train tomorrow and meet up with the rest of the group on Sunday morning at Heathrow.   I will probably not post anything while I am there but look forward to telling you all about it upon my return.

I just found this lovely blog that had beautiful photos of Kamakura
http://www.muza-chan.net/japan

http://www.muza-chan.net/photo/galleries/kamakura/kamakura-hasedera-04.jpg