November 8, 2009

• November 8 - Karatsu

   Today was a trip back to Karatsu to take care of the shopper's regret.  If you want a good selection at best to be expected prices, I would recommend a shop on the third floor of the Arupino Building just to the right as you exit Karatsu Station.  Here are some of the pieces that I liked but didn't get.  Sometimes you just have to pretend that you are in a museum.

  

  

   

  

  

  

  

  

  After looking around in Arupino, we decided to walk around the town of Karatsu to have a look at some other smaller shops.

  

  

  Now here's a very nice mug for only $105!  I noticed that the lines of the dripped glaze are finer than the cheaper pieces that sell for only $40 or so.

  

  Historical description of a "nobori gama" style kiln.  It is built on a hill so that the heat from the lower chambers flows upward.

  

  We took a look in here and saw that it specialized in tea ceremony utensils.

  

  Mo hitotsu no yakimonoya...  the baked goods here are edible.

  

  Some scenery along the way

  

  

  

  Another lovely "museum"

  

  This failed attempt adorned the garden outside the shop.  It is kind of a story of what goes on inside a kiln.  I would have taken it home without complaint.  The imperfection is lovely.

  

  Inside the shop

  

  A lovely cup for only $525

   

  Here is what we brought home.  Hubby wanted the small white cup, too.

  

  I still like the cup that caused the initial shopper's regret, but that shop was in another direction.  Should I sneak a trip back...

  • 02:31
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