Letters from Daiba,Tokyo

Journey to Imari Porcelain

May 17, 2013

Dear friends,

Preparing our ceramic trip to Imari in Saga prefecture,a forty-five minute drive from Arita which I introduced to you in my last post, one photo remained in my mind deeply. I carefully studied its composition and took this picture from the same spot.

The red brick chimney with rugged mountains as a background seems to show what it used to be, but it is actually present-day Okawachiyama village. The Nabeshima Clan, who were ruling the area back then selected this place for its special kilns to make porcelain masterpieces for the Shogun Dynasty in 1675, since its location suited their intentions to avoid leakage of technique, being enclosed on three sides by mountains. They were so nervous that they even built a checkpoint. This explains why Okawachiyama is referred to as the “Village of Secret Kilns”.

It was in 1989 that this bridge at the entrance of the village was created with decorated Imari porcelain to welcome tourists. Countless pieces covering the railings as well as the big vases on top represent the colors unique to Imari.

Area map is also made of porcelain.

More than 30 kilns still exist here keeping tradition and techniques alike. It’s so nice to stroll around the village looking into show windows and stopping by.

From display to the variety of merchandises, each kiln was making efforts to attract customers. Taichiro kiln presented a replica of its kiln and entertains us by its decoration.

Hataman’s shop is very modern but they stay true to the colors and designs of Imari.

At the same time, they seem to appeal that their works are not to be appreciated as art but to be used in daily life. As a matter of fact, before planning our trip, we felt that Arita or Imari ceramics cost a little too much for us to afford. However, not everything was expensive and we could sympathize with their ideas.

Tourists from Canada were enjoying witnessing their works.

As for myself, I bought this incense plate here. So cute!!

When you’re tired, have a cup of coffee in a tearoom. My friend Iku had a Belgian waffle and I had coffee. As you see, a simple coffee with fine ceramics makes you happy.

Here is what I purchased during the two days. My heart-shaped collection was enriched!

Iku got the gratin dish and the one-plate dish.

I must add that Imari beef was just amazing! It was the most delicious beef I had in my life! They were using mostly Imari ceramics of course but the thick plate for the steak was Karatsu pottery, which we would search for in continuing our trip.

Ciao.

Isabelle

Posted by.Isabelle | Individual | Comment (0)

Kraftwerk in 3D

May 14, 2013

Hello Friends,

As NY Times once wrote, they are the “Beatles of Electronic Dance Music”. A legendary German electronic group formed in Düsseldorf back in 1970, Kraftwerk are pioneers in the genre, having influenced a number of great artists following their appearance in the music scene. In example, Björk, Joy Division, Aphex Twin, and Depeche Mode just to name a few.

This time, Kraftwerk began their tour at the Museum of Modern Art, or MOMA in New York last spring, sweeping audiences off their feet by storm. Appropriately named “Kraftwerk-Retrospective 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8-“, they played 8 consecutive nights, each night playing an entire album plus additional hit songs. The concerts were a roaring success, with only 450 tickets on general sale per night, which even caused some scalpers to hike their prices to an outrageous $2000!

Now the tour has finally arrived in Japan, and the group are currently touring from May 8^th to the 18^th in Tokyo and Osaka. Truth be told, I only came to know Kraftwerk after my twenties through a friend of mine fond of their music. Therefore I am by no means an expert on their music, but even to a novice like me, I could tell that they sounded incredible.

Kraftwerk are known for their improvisations during live music and sure enough, my friend noticed their special arrangements for the night. We attended the 4^th night of the gig, based on their 4^th album, “The Man Machine”. The set list is as follows, according to music agency UDO.

DAY 4: The Man Machine

1.THE MAN MACHINE

2.SPACELAB

3.THE MODEL

4.NEON LIGHTS

5.METROPOLIS

6.THE ROBOTS

7.AUTOBAHN

8.RADIOACTIVITY

9.TRANS-EUROPE EXPRESS

10.NUMBERS

11.COMPUTER WORLD

12.HOME COMPUTER

13.DENTAKU

14.COMPUTER LOVE

15.TOUR DE FRANCE 1983 + INTRO

16.TOUR DE FRANCE 2003

17.VITAMIN

18.PLANET OF VISIONS

19.BOING BOOM TSCHAK

20.MUSIQUE NON STOP

On stage, the 4 members, Ralf Hütter (only remaining initial member). Fritz Hilpert, Henning Schmitz and Falk Grieffenhagen stood up behind their counters lit up in neon lights wearing matching bicycle suits of a grid pattern design. Apparently their performance is controlled by computers and a digital audio work station software called “Cubase” to control sounds in real time. (Correct me if I’m wrong ^^;)

These are the 3D glasses we received upon entering the venue. The cover designs are based on their album covers, therefore, each night is of a different design. Needless to say, the video images were breathtaking, images popping out before our eyes at times for a mesmerizing effect.

While I enjoyed the concert very much, I later found out that tickets sold at MOMA were a mere $20, compared to the 9,500 yen in Tokyo. As a music lover addicted to live concerts, I’d appreciate a more moderate pricing system even for artists coming to Japan from overseas. Or is that too much to ask from an artist like Kraftwerk? :p

See you in the next post!

Posted by.sarasa | Individual | Comment (0)

Oyaji Joshi Senryu

May 10, 2013

Dear Friends,

Fuji TV’s new drama, Last ♡ Cinderella, starring Ryoko Shinohara, Naohito Fujiki and Haruma Miura has been scoring high TV ratings this season!

Last ♡ Cinderella features “Oyaji Joshi”, women who devote themselves to work but at the same time seek romances with men.

Nowadays, it is said that 60% of unmarried women between the ages of 25 and 35 find themselves becoming more masculine. These women are recently called “Oyaji Joshi,” literally meaning "old-guy woman" or a woman who acts like she is an old man.

Ryoko Shinohara plays Oyaji Joshi “Sakura,” a 39-year-old woman who hasn't had a boyfriend in 10 years. Though she works as a vice store manager at a beauty parlor, she is careless about herself. She has a tender heart and a strong sense of justice, but is coward in terms of love. Recently, she is frustrated that a couple of beard hairs have started growing on her chin, which she thinks is due to overworking and a hormone imbalance.

In the drama, a Japanese form of short poetry called “Senryu” often appears expressing Sakura’s feelings in a funny and cynical way.

Senryu is constructed in 3 lines with 17 syllables. The first line contains 5 syllables, the second line with 7, and the third line with 5 syllables.

The production team of Last ♡ Cinderella is collecting Oyaji Joshi Senryu created by viewers online and some are actually used in the drama.

Here are the funny ones selected by the producer, Toshiyuki Nakano.

若くない　Wa ka ku na i

言ってるわりに　I t te ru wa ri ni

若作り　Wa ka zu ku ri

She always says “I am getting old”

but she actually does her best to look younger.

ブラジャーに　Bu ra ja a ni

レースのひらひら re su no hi ra hi ra

なくなった na ku na t ta

I realized that my bra no longer has flutter laces.

Coincidently, my 2^nd grade daughter has just learned Senryu at school and creating Senryu is now her daily homework.

These are my favorite Senryu created by my 2^nd grade girl.

風邪ひいた　Ka ze hi i ta

天気いいのに Te n ki i i no ni

遊べない A so be na i

I got the flu. Although it’s sunny outside, I can’t go out to play.

日曜日　Ni chi yo u bi

どこもいっぱい　Do co mo i ppa i

お腹すく O na ka su ku

On Sunday, I went out for lunch but it's crowded everywhere, and I am starving.

“Oyaji Joshi Senryu” is a new trend, but “Salary Men Senryu” (Senryu for office workers) has always been a trend since a long time ago.

Once you get hooked on creating senryu, you can’t stop yourself.

Enjoy and don't forget to watch the drama!!

Coco

Posted by.Coco | Individual | Comment (0)

Street performers in Koenji

May 7, 2013

Hello everyone!

Last weekend “Koenji Bikkuri Street Performances 2013” was held in Koenji, Tokyo. Welcoming its 5^th anniversary, this year’s theme was “Boil”. 48 groups comprised of 95 performers attended, including those from outside of Japan. Today I’d like to share with you a part of the event with you

Street Crcus. The American and Canadian pair possess over 100 techniques

Chalk Art. A performance that originated in Italy where artists draw masterpieces on concrete ground. He even trained in Firenze, within the place of origin

Mask Changing. A traditional Chinese performance where the color of the mask changes instantly. To my pleasant surprise, the performer was good looking underneath all those masks

Pot Spinning. Putting the 3kg pot on his head and supporting it with only one finger, and so on

Body Flex. Once you reach his stage, there’s just no going back. I have no idea what it means anymore

Classical Chinese Opera. A battle between Son Goku (Monkey King) and a monster

I encountered a Rock’n roller 3 meters in height with extremely long legs

If you get hungry there’s always the food stands. Here is the most traditional street food vendor in Japan, one that sells “Yakisoba” or sir-fry noodles

There are even special shops selling specialties from prefectures like Fukushima and Tohoku, those areas that suffered damages from the Great East Japan Earthquake

.

The Gold Dust show. A series of lively wild dances utilizing only the body. It was simply overwhelming

Chinese Acrobatics. Not only is she riding a unicycle, the plates on her head are being stacked on top of each other one by one. A breath-taking performance to say the least

Such superb balance. You can hear the kids cheering the performers on throughout the audience

In line with the main theme “Boil”, the excitement of viewers were at a boiling point! Needless to say, it was a very fun event. I have my regrets of not being able to show you all of the performers, so please visit the event next year if you get a chance

!

Bye

vivi

Posted by.vivi | Individual | Comment (0)

Ceramics trip to Arita

May 3, 2013

Dear friends,

As Sarasa mentioned, we are in the middle of the so-called “Golden Week”. This means that ceramic lovers may be visiting the “Arita Pottery Festival” in Saga prefecture which attracts one million visitors every year. Since our trip to Kanazawa, mesmerized by the magic of delicate tableware served over simple cooking, Iku and I planned a tour to the ceramic villages in Saga. We chose to go a week ahead of the holidays in order to avoid a huge crowd.

It required a 2 hour flight from Tokyo to Nagasaki and an hour drive to get to Arita, the cradle of porcelain manufacturing in Japan. We headed straight to a café to taste with our tongue and eyes their famous Arita yaki curry, grilled inside the Arita ceramics allowing it to be served piping hot. Their curry is made with a roux stewed for a week with 28 kinds of spices, topped with a big piece of Saga beef and grilled with cheese. It was absolutely delicious!! It cost us only 1800yen for all of this course menu including the curry plate that we could bring back with us after we finished eating.

“Agaru, agaru! “ we repeated. This is how you say ” excited” in a vogue way in Japanese. The dessert plate looked like a work of art with each of the blue and white coffee cups as well as the sugar pot and cream pot designed differently, all signaled the start of our trip in searching for tableware of our own!!

Oh, I must add that it was worth going to the bathroom with a camera as adviced by Iku. From the washstand to soap bottle, all ceramic products made us feel high.

Arita pottery is so diverse that we began by checking out Arita Ceramics Wholesale Complex where 25 shops stand alongside each other to figure out what fit our taste.

Whenever we came across plates or bowls that charmed us, we asked which kiln they were from and wrote it down. As I was looking for a small tea pot, I asked permission to take photos of my favorite ones to compare afterwards.

This careful research convinced us to go to Goto Teizan kiln.

Specializing in sometsuke, a dyeing skill in which motifs are drawn on white porcelain using paint with cobalt to create a vivid indigo color, they keep the traditional fabrication process but ask people to regard their products with familiarity suggesting daily use.

This lady welcomed us in the gallery mostly visited by professionals. She even led us to the storehouse upon our request.

After more than an hour’s consideration, I bought five different plates and one little bowl.

Iku got two bowls, one big plate with a bellflower design that she was absorbed in and a thick blue plate, together

with all those round cases that she found out in the storehouse. Their prices were so reasonable that we could afford all of them.

On the other hand, Gen-emon, one of the major kilns who run their own shops in Tokyo and Osaka, preserved the tradition of “Old Imari” for its colors.

Their display tells us their policy to demonstrate well the contrast of colors.

This flagship shop in Arita seemed like a museum with ceramic interiors.

Even the signs for the restroom are results of their elaborate work.

As a heart-shaped collector, I bought the red pendant for me which was unique to this kiln.

For teatime, we didn’t miss out in going to the cake shop where we could have either pudding or pound cake served in Arita ceramics and take home the pots.

To conclude today's post, let me show you this cute Arita porcelain plate saying "Laugh and grow fat". We laughed a lot and became happy.

Our journey continued to other ceramic villages like Imari and Karatsu that I will leave for future posts.

Ciao.

Isabelle

Posted by.Isabelle | Individual | Comment (0)

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