Paul Stevens on tue 6 jul 04
I will be going to Japan in September and would like to visit pottery
sites. Besides visiting Mashiko while in Tokyo, I will be staying in the
Gifu area for a couple of days after visiting Takayama and would like
advice on which of the following pottery sites would be the best to visit
since my time is limited- Tajimi, Toki City, Gifu City, Seto and/or
Tokaname. Originally I was planning to see Bizen potteries, but since I
will be in the Gifu area and love shino and oribe I thought it would be
better to see these sites that seem so close to each other and do Bizen
another time. Am I making a big mistake? would Bizen be a much better
choice? There isn't all that much written about these towns to get a feel
for which would be the most visitor friendly. Also, Mashiko seems like a
long daytrip, but I never read anything about accomadations there - so I
assume there really isn't much of a need to stay over. Thanks
Jason Truesdell on tue 6 jul 04
Mashiko isn't a bad day trip from Tokyo if you set out around 7:30 or =
8am, but accommodations in Mashiko or Utsunomiya will be much cheaper =
than in Tokyo. Keep in mind that the typical retail business hours will =
be 10am to 5:30 or 6pm.
I love the town of Takayama and heartily recommend staying there. Make =
sure to order "houba-miso" somewhere: Hida-gyuu (Hida beef) or tofu or =
kinoko (mushrooms) on top of a lightly sweetened miso grilled atop a =
magnolia leaf. It's a local specialty, and you can get it for lunch or =
dinner. (I'm a vegetarian, so I always had one of the last two). Also I =
like the aka kabu (literally red turnip, somehow different) pickles =
you'll find there. Near the traditional village restoration =
("Hida-Takayama") there are a few potters, such as Nakamura Dai and his =
family; others are scattered about. Takayama's really a craft-centric =
city, and you'll find lots of woodwork, lacquerware, and locally =
produced sake in addition to ceramics. If you have an eye for =
architecture, you'll notice that most of the roofs in this area are =
different from other parts of Japan because they have used wood instead =
of thatch in most cases, even early in their history, due to heavy =
winter snowfalls.
If you are comfortable using hot springs in Japan, the town of Gero is =
only around an hour away from Mashiko by train.
Mino is relatively close to Takayama also, and you'll find a lot of Mino =
ware in the shops of Takayama.
Bizen has beautiful work and I'm all about those ash deposits, but alas, =
I keep missing the chance to go there. It doesn't take much to go broke =
buying bizen ware.
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Paul Stevens=20
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=20
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 8:56 AM
Subject: Japan Trip September Advice
I will be going to Japan in September and would like to visit pottery
sites. Besides visiting Mashiko while in Tokyo, I will be staying in =
the
Gifu area for a couple of days after visiting Takayama and would like
advice on which of the following pottery sites would be the best to =
visit
since my time is limited- Tajimi, Toki City, Gifu City, Seto and/or
Tokaname. Originally I was planning to see Bizen potteries, but since =
I
will be in the Gifu area and love shino and oribe I thought it would =
be
better to see these sites that seem so close to each other and do =
Bizen
another time. Am I making a big mistake? would Bizen be a much better
choice? There isn't all that much written about these towns to get a =
feel
for which would be the most visitor friendly. Also, Mashiko seems like =
a
long daytrip, but I never read anything about accomadations there - so =
I
assume there really isn't much of a need to stay over. Thanks
=
_________________________________________________________________________=
_____
Send postings to =
clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from =
http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at =
melpots@pclink.com.
Jason Truesdell on wed 7 jul 04
No, I don't live in Japan, but I travel to Japan an average of 2-3 times =
a year and I go pottery hunting on most trips... I also import a little =
bit of pottery for resale, so far from 3 artists in Mashiko, some of =
which I've sold to a gallery here in Seattle and some of which will be =
available online shortly.
I had been working for Microsoft for 7 years, which gave me =
opportunities to travel to Asia both for work and for vacation. I spent =
some time thinking about how to pursue my passions for food, pottery, =
and travel, and now I am operating a small import-export firm =
(http://www.yuzutrade.com). My current =
challenge is importing a fancy handmade sweet from Hong Kong, which is =
like a grown-up version of cotton candy, called "dragon beard candy."
Miso is a fermented soybean paste made with salt, and is a precursor to =
soy sauce. (soy sauce is rarely made in that way anymore, though). Miso =
is an essential seasoning in the Japanese kitchen, used in soups, =
braised dishes like eggplant, dengaku (grilled tofu or eggplant topped =
with sweetened miso), stuffed inside grilled fish with some scallions, =
or on almost any occasion we might reach for salt in western cooking.
If you have any kind of appreciation for Japanese crafts, it's worth a =
visit, and age doesn't matter at all. I've known Japanese approaching =
retirement to do whirlwind tours of three states in the U.S. over 7 =
days, so I'm sure anyone with motivation can handle a more sanely paced =
trip to Japan. The moderately priced handmade crafts rarely make it to =
the U.S., so in the U.S. you're often limited to seeing soulless =
factory-made pots at retailers or thousand dollar pots from famous =
artists at galleries. I tend to buy pots that are just on the edge =
(handmade, but not necessarily from nationally revered artists).
Jason Truesdell
http://www.jagaimo.com/home/jason/
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Joyce Lee=20
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG=20
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 3:40 AM
Subject: Re: Japan Trip September Advice
Jason, do you live in Japan? Your accounts
are intriguing.. never once thought I might
want to visit ..... but maybe....... age is
revered there still, right? what is miso? ......
Thanks for posting your experiences. Keep
it up.
Joyce
In the Mojave
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jason Truesdell" =
>
To: >
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 1:56 PM
Subject: Re: Japan Trip September Advice
Mashiko isn't a bad day trip from Tokyo if you set out around 7:30 or =
8am,
but accommodations in Mashiko or Utsunomiya will be much cheaper than =
in
Tokyo. Keep in mind that the typical retail business hours will be =
10am to
5:30 or 6pm.
I love the town of Takayama and heartily recommend staying there. Make =
sure
to order "houba-miso" somewhere: Hida-gyuu (Hida beef) or tofu or =
kinoko
(mushrooms) on top of a lightly sweetened miso grilled atop a magnolia =
leaf.
It's a local specialty, and you can get it for lunch or dinner. (I'm a
vegetarian, so I always had one of the last two). Also I like the aka =
kabu
(literally red turnip, somehow different) pickles you'll find there. =
Near
the traditional village restoration ("Hida-Takayama") there are a few
potters, such as Nakamura Dai and his family; others are scattered =
about.
Takayama's really a craft-centric city, and you'll find lots of =
woodwork,
lacquerware, and locally produced sake in addition to ceramics. If you =
have
an eye for architecture, you'll notice that most of the roofs in this =
area
are different from other parts of Japan because they have used wood =
instead
of thatch in most cases, even early in their history, due to heavy =
winter
snowfalls.
If you are comfortable using hot springs in Japan, the town of Gero is =
only
around an hour away from Mashiko by train.
Mino is relatively close to Takayama also, and you'll find a lot of =
Mino
ware in the shops of Takayama.
Bizen has beautiful work and I'm all about those ash deposits, but =
alas, I
keep missing the chance to go there. It doesn't take much to go broke =
buying
bizen ware.
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul =
Stevens>
To: =
CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORGSV.CERAMICS.ORG>
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 8:56 AM
Subject: Japan Trip September Advice
I will be going to Japan in September and would like to visit =
pottery
sites. Besides visiting Mashiko while in Tokyo, I will be staying in =
the
Gifu area for a couple of days after visiting Takayama and would =
like
advice on which of the following pottery sites would be the best to =
visit
since my time is limited- Tajimi, Toki City, Gifu City, Seto and/or
Tokaname. Originally I was planning to see Bizen potteries, but =
since I
will be in the Gifu area and love shino and oribe I thought it would =
be
better to see these sites that seem so close to each other and do =
Bizen
another time. Am I making a big mistake? would Bizen be a much =
better
choice? There isn't all that much written about these towns to get a =
feel
for which would be the most visitor friendly. Also, Mashiko seems =
like a
long daytrip, but I never read anything about accomadations there - =
so I
assume there really isn't much of a need to stay over. Thanks
=
_________________________________________________________________________=
___
__
Send postings to =
clayart@lsv.ceramics.orgsv.ceramics.org>
You may look at the archives for the list or change your =
subscription
settings from
=
http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/www.ceramics.org/clayart/>
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
=
melpots@pclink.comilto:melpots@pclink.com>>.
=
_________________________________________________________________________=
___
__
Send postings to =
clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from =
http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
=
_________________________________________________________________________=
_____
Send postings to =
clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from =
http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at =
melpots@pclink.com.
Joyce Lee on wed 7 jul 04
Jason, do you live in Japan? Your accounts
are intriguing.. never once thought I might
want to visit ..... but maybe....... age is
revered there still, right? what is miso? ......
Thanks for posting your experiences. Keep
it up.
Joyce
In the Mojave
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jason Truesdell"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 1:56 PM
Subject: Re: Japan Trip September Advice
Mashiko isn't a bad day trip from Tokyo if you set out around 7:30 or 8am,
but accommodations in Mashiko or Utsunomiya will be much cheaper than in
Tokyo. Keep in mind that the typical retail business hours will be 10am to
5:30 or 6pm.
I love the town of Takayama and heartily recommend staying there. Make sure
to order "houba-miso" somewhere: Hida-gyuu (Hida beef) or tofu or kinoko
(mushrooms) on top of a lightly sweetened miso grilled atop a magnolia leaf.
It's a local specialty, and you can get it for lunch or dinner. (I'm a
vegetarian, so I always had one of the last two). Also I like the aka kabu
(literally red turnip, somehow different) pickles you'll find there. Near
the traditional village restoration ("Hida-Takayama") there are a few
potters, such as Nakamura Dai and his family; others are scattered about.
Takayama's really a craft-centric city, and you'll find lots of woodwork,
lacquerware, and locally produced sake in addition to ceramics. If you have
an eye for architecture, you'll notice that most of the roofs in this area
are different from other parts of Japan because they have used wood instead
of thatch in most cases, even early in their history, due to heavy winter
snowfalls.
If you are comfortable using hot springs in Japan, the town of Gero is only
around an hour away from Mashiko by train.
Mino is relatively close to Takayama also, and you'll find a lot of Mino
ware in the shops of Takayama.
Bizen has beautiful work and I'm all about those ash deposits, but alas, I
keep missing the chance to go there. It doesn't take much to go broke buying
bizen ware.
----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Stevens
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 8:56 AM
Subject: Japan Trip September Advice
I will be going to Japan in September and would like to visit pottery
sites. Besides visiting Mashiko while in Tokyo, I will be staying in the
Gifu area for a couple of days after visiting Takayama and would like
advice on which of the following pottery sites would be the best to visit
since my time is limited- Tajimi, Toki City, Gifu City, Seto and/or
Tokaname. Originally I was planning to see Bizen potteries, but since I
will be in the Gifu area and love shino and oribe I thought it would be
better to see these sites that seem so close to each other and do Bizen
another time. Am I making a big mistake? would Bizen be a much better
choice? There isn't all that much written about these towns to get a feel
for which would be the most visitor friendly. Also, Mashiko seems like a
long daytrip, but I never read anything about accomadations there - so I
assume there really isn't much of a need to stay over. Thanks
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from
http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Lee Love on wed 7 jul 04
Paul Stevens wrote:
>for which would be the most visitor friendly. Also, Mashiko seems like a
>long daytrip, but I never read anything about accomadations there - so I
>assume there really isn't much of a need to stay over.
>
John Baymore provided a list a while back. You can see the full list here:
http://lsv.ceramics.org/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind0307B&L=CLAYART&P=R12974
John stays at the first one. Said it costs \7500 a night and included
breakfast and dinner. He also advises that you have a Japanese speaker
call for you.
Okadaya Ryokan　0285-72-2016
Hasegawa ryokan 0285-72-2210
Shiraume-so 0285-72-6762
Tozan-so 0285-72-2063
Ohkawado Kozen Spa 0285-72-4546
Minshuku (private guest house) Higeta 0285-72-2559
Minshuju Furusato 0285-72-3156
Minshuku Yamaji 0285-72-2525
Minshuku Yamabiko 0285-72-1829
Business Hotel Toyoda 0285-68-4500
Furuki-san runs The Tao Art Club, Potters In, a traditional Minshuku style inn and also a pottery studio.
Lodging only is \3500 a night. Cost more to use the studios. If you book during the week or "off peak" you might
be able to stay in the Minka farmhouse, which has "Western" style toilets. If the Minka is full, you get placed
in modern rooms, but with "traditional" modern toilets. It is located in a convenient spot. Fax first, Furuki-san can
read English and then voice call to confirm:
FAX 　0285-72-4178
Voice: 0285-72-3866
Best way to get to Mashiko from Tokyo is by train to Utsunomiya and then bus from Utsunomiya to Mashiko.
Buy a rail pass before you leave home. You cannot purchase them once you are in Japan. They will save you a lot of money.
Check out http://www.japantravelinfo.com/ for travel information
I will put up a visitor's guide on the web soon.
--
Lee in Mashiko, Japan http://mashiko.org
http://journals.fotki.com/togeika/Mashiko/ Commentary On Pottery
John Baymore on fri 9 jul 04
Hi.
I am posting this from Motegi right now...... the town next to Mashiko-
machi. I am now staying with a potter friend here for a couple of days.
To be more exact as to expectations about what Lee mentions.........
Okadaya Ryokan is 7350 Y per night including breakfast and dinner as of
now. Right now that is about $70 US dollars with the current exchange
rate. It includes a breakfast and dinner that is whatever the hosts decide
to serve that day. You do NOT pick your food in any way.
As to your bath time...... they will tell you it is time to take a bath
. Bathing is a ritual thing in a ryokan.
The food is traditional Japanese fare....and is always really GREAT.....but
if you are not an "adventurous eater"..... best to not chose this one.
(Tony would hate it .) Common breakfast fare includes such stuff as
whole cold broiled fish, pickles, tiny whole fish eaten whole, miso soup,
and rice. Dinners can include sushi, sashimi, tempura, soba/udon, broiled
fish (hot)and so on.
Important note..... they do NOT speak any English worth mentioning. They
can deal with English faxes for reservations.... but do not speak it. I
speak Japanese enough to "get by" which is why I can stay there OK.
Bath is in a common ofuro (hot traditional tub). Bathroom (toilet) is
traditional in the sense that there is no men`s and women`s... they are
shared. There is one western style toilet.... others are Japanese (squat).
Room is traditioanl washitsu (Japanese style)...... tatami mat floor, futon
for bed, meals served in your room, tea always hot and ready, and so on.
It is easy walking distance to a good portion of Mashiko. It is clean,
quiet, and quite reasonable.
best,
...............john
John Baymore
Motegi-machi, Tochigi-ken
Japan
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