September 30, 2010

• October 1, 2010 Sakurajima Yaki

  

  Today is pottery exploration day on Sakurajima.  We have taken the ferry from Kagoshima City over to the foot of the volcano.  First, let's stop in at the Visitor Center.  At this time the shop is well stocked with various items, but later the stock will be reduced to a few chipped pieces.  If this place wants to stay in business it had better get on the ball.  Anyway, at this time there are still many interesting pieces.  I like the dynamic glazing techique. 

  

  This is an interesting tea bowl, but I need another tea bowl like I need a hole in the head, so I will suffice with just a picture.  Now in retrospect I am feeling a touch of shopper's regret.

  

  Vases and cups

  

  Now here is a bug that I had not seen since we lived in Okayama.  If it imagines that it is being threatened, it will rear its head and shake itself and whatever plant to which it is attached, which happens to be yabumau, its favorite food.  Now if I could only remember the name of the bug.

  

  We have taken a local bus to this Satsuma Ware kiln and shop.  Let's go inside for a look!  (I will make another trip back here in April 2013.  Click here to see the return trip pictures.)

  

  "Sakurajima Pottery - Lava Ware"  I am not sure what kind of lava products are used or what they are used for, the clay or the glaze.  I should have asked.

  

  Here are some nice dishes for a very reasonable price.

   

  Shop to your heart's content!  The proprietress will pour you a cup of tea.

  

  

  

  One of the vases on the lower shelf came back with me.  It can also be used for iced beverages.

  

  Nice colors - more shopper's regret, but there is only so much coffee that one can drink.

  

  If you drink out of this you can't put it down!

  

  Hmmm, they seem to have a very large parakeet on the property!

  

  Now I am game to try about anything, and this fruit smelled pretty good.  What are they, dates or something?  Tried one, and it tasted like "plcccccchhhhhhhh" and that is all I have to say about that.  Now that I have had the experience I will remember it for a lifetime.

  

  The shop/kiln from the front

  

  The shop/kiln from the back

  

  There was one more pottery establishment down the road, Sakuragake Tougei.  The ladies here were making pottery according to their own original designs, and not like the more traditional stuff at the first shop.  It was ok, but I liked the first shop better.

  

  Here is the shop entrance, and the kiln was in the back.

  

  See anything you like?

  

  I thought these were interesting.  They are shaped like the sweet potatoes from which the local shochu brew is made.  I asked DH if he needed one, but he said he didn't.

  

  It's time to catch the bus back to the ferry port.  How is this for a sturdy bus stop?  If Sakurajima starts erupting and chucking out rubble you can just duck in here for shelter.  See all the ashes on the ground?

  • 22:29
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