April 30, 2010

• 2010/4/30 Arita Ceramics Festival

   

  I went to the Arita Ceramics Festival, perhaps for the last time as there is a move back to Tokyo in the future.  During festival time, the espress train makes a special stop at the tiny Kami-Arita Station.  We can get off here, walk to Arita Station and see all of the dish vendors along the way!

  

  Here is a fellow showing us how it's done.

  

  Let's start on our shopping trip with Arita Station as our final destination.  Shops line both sides of the road as far as the eye can see.

  

  I just love this blue drippy glaze.

  

  So much to buy, so few arms to haul it home with...

  

  Karatsu Ware!  Now my resistance is really crumbling.  I brought a nice vase home from this shop.

  

  These platters are old, but I already have been blessed with more than enough left behind in Tokyo.  But then again, maybe I should have found room for that plate on top.

  

  I like this, but I can't bring everything home just because it has a bunny on it.

  

  Here is an old style shop selling antiques.

  

  Even the alleyways off the main street serve as shop shelves.

  

  Now here is a cup that I would take home except for the price tag, $140.00 for the white cup.  I already have something similar to the upper cup, so I don't "need" that, either.  The white cup has round cut-outs filled in with clear glaze that allows you so see what you are drinking from the side.

  

  The lattice work on these is lovely, too, but I can't have everything.

  

  Here is another shop in a vintage building.

  

  This type of wall is typical of Arita, and is made of bricks, recyled bits of embedded pottery and whatever else is laying around.

  

  The Yagyu Kiln shop that hails from Nagasaki always has some lovely things!

  

  Yep, some of that has to come home with me!

  

  This is Tozan Jinja Shrine.  We have been here before, but it is a peaceful place to enjoy a sandwich and rest one's tired tootsies.  I have also been requested to pick up any shards that I can find in the parking lot.  Dotter is accumulating quite a collection.  Go inside and follow the steps up to the left.

  

  Proceed up the steps.  Aren't the azelias pretty?

  

  Since ceramic manufacturing is the main industry in Arita, there are many ceramic decorations in the shrine and on the grounds.

  

  Here you can see ceramic railings.

  

  Now that we are rested up, let's get back to shopping.  I have a weak spot for VOC dish replcas.  These were originally designed for the old Dutch East India Company that you read about in history textbooks.

  

  These cups were also done in VOC style.  Maybe I should have brought on home.  I hate "shopper's regret!"

  

   

  Now here are another couple of lovely cups prohibitively priced.  There is only so much coffee that one can drink in this world.  Pictures are free, don't take up space and don't break.  Considering what is coming up on 3/11/2011 perhaps not getting these was all for the best.

  

  On a parting note, this is a performance on a marimba made of dishes.  Don't bang on to too hard, now ladies!

  • 00:45
  • 1 Comment