Unlike in America where your clothes stick to your body if it is humid in the air, it still felt amazing here. I hardly noticed that it was humid except for the fact that my pots don't seem to want to dry. I've decided to start a routine of taking my time to get up in the morning, I eat breakfast, update my blog, and go on a long walk to explore the area. I feel like this is helping me prepare for the day and clear my mind to begin the process of creative thinking. I have been enjoying walking different paths and being able to circle my way back around to the Kasen Pottery. I enjoy the sights and the sounds of Japan, even the roosters. Yesterday I came across more pottery studios I would like to check out, furry caterpillars, children walking to school with bells on (I heard them before I saw them, I think that was the point?), and of course more beautiful landscape of Seto Japan.
Sensei was busy glazing all day yesterday so I focused on making. I've been trying to figure out what I want my goal to be while I'm here. What do I want to learn? I know I still have a lot to learn, but I want to make sure I get the best information to take back with me and help me start my own pottery with production and fine art pieces. So, I decided the best thing to do is observe Sensei as much as I can and get a better understanding for how his pottery studio functions as a success. I realized part of that was faster production, so a majority of my time in the studio yesterday was focused on throwing off the hump to improve that skill.
I also practiced one of the techniques Sensei demonstrated for rims. He had mentioned that people buy more porcelain than stoneware because it is lighter and stronger than stoneware, so to get lighter stoneware you have to throw it thinner. That then leaves the problem of a thin rim that could chip easily. To fix this he demonstrated of throwing it thin all the way through the top (not what I am used to) and then folding/rolling the rim over to create a softer thicker rim. In that way it looks more sturdy and yet is light! Along with functional ware I also wanted to start to cut and reassemble some pieces as well. You know me.... I can't just leave it alone. I am really excited about where my pieces are going and I don't want to lose momentum on it, but also, Sensei and Megumi seem to be very interested in my technique of cutting and reassembling and I have been enjoying demonstrating my process. | I have really been excited by my time here working in the studio and really have loved getting to know the people here more. We had tea time again which is always a pleasant experience. I am hoping to pick up on more Japanese by listening to the conversations and just watching how everyone interacts. Before we eat and drink we say "Itadakimasu" which means thank you for the meal, let's eat! Then after we say "Gochisousama" which means thank you for the meal, the food was very good. I think the tradition of politeness and gratitude are absolutely amazing and how it feels like it pulls you closer together as a family is beautiful. Another highlight of my day was walking with Beatriz to meet the kittens she helped save. They are extremely adorable and still little babies. She feeds them with a syringe and they get so excited and so anxious when they know it is dinner time. The orange one is a girl and her name is Imoto which means little sister and the other is a boy and his name is Ototo, little brother. Imoto has a bend in her tail so it is always crooked. Still so cute!!!! Even though day 4 was not filled with huge, big adventures, it is part of this large journey and I am soaking it all in. I am so excited about being here and can't wait to see what today and tomorrow will bring. |