Blog

1,000-year technique of Echizen-yaki pottery

2016.06.23

I visited the pottery studio of an Echizen-yaki pottery artist Nobuyasu Kondo in Echizen Town,
Fukui Prefecture. And he showed me a traditional technique called “Nejitate”(twist and stand).
Contrary to normal work by a potter’s wheel, he forms a pottery walking round and round
the work in progress on a log base.
While walking round, he piles up thick string-shaped clay twisting it with fingers rhythmically
and adjusts the height using a wooden spatula from the outside.

I suppose that the reason for such an old technique since the Heian Period remains
after the introduction of potter’s wheel, it has been suitable for making large potteries like pots or vases. At any rate, the pot with the technique “Nejitate”, which I saw right before
my eyes, looked thin and delicate than I imagined.
(The photo above shows the lower half has just finished)

T.S

Japanglish with Cinderella!

2016.06.21

Music, theater and dance

We just released the video of "Cinderella with Fukui dialect" on GEN’s website (only in Japanese for now).

There are many stories of Cinderella written by many authors all over the world.

And there are also many stories which are similar to the Cinderella.

In Japan, Charles Perrault, the French poet’s Cinderella is the most well-known one.

The story is called “Cendrillon” in French, which means a person/thing covered in cinders.

And of course, it's "Cinderella" in English.

Have you ever watched and/or read Cinderella

in any other language but in your first language?

Today, I would like to introduce Japanglish version of Cinderella.

I’m going to share the video of Biligirl Chika’s “English with Disney’s Cindrella!” [#349]
Please enjoy!!

T.F

Tabletop Bonsai

2016.06.20

Arts and crafts

Speaking of bonsai, in Japan it still has an image of senior-citizen’s hobby.
However, it is very popular in other countries, even among young people and women.
For example, in France, they hold its exhibitions and attract many buyers.
Also, it’s good that even reasonably priced ones in Japan can be traded
at high prices overseas, isn’t it?
My guess is that bonsai is widely received as art or interior decoration outside of Japan.

This photo was taken at a coffee shop on “Philosopher’s Walk” in Kyoto.
Looking at this casual moss bonsai, I just want to try to create one
with my favorite pottery basin.
Wouldn’t that be pretty good for your entrance or living room? (H.S)

Ryumon-baku waterfall in the precincts of Kinkakuji Temple

2016.06.19

Kyoto and Nara

There is a waterfall called Ryumon-baku after passing Shariden (Kinkaku / the Golden Pavilion) in the precincts of Kinkakuji Temple. A carp stone has been set which looks as if a carp climbing up the waterfall which represents a legend about the gateway to success.

Literally, this Ryumon-baku water fall might be too small to be called a “waterfall”. The area where the water from Ryumon-baku waterfall flows toward is Kyokochi Pond (Mirror Pond), which is in the center of the temple's garden. Because Kyokochi Pond represents the sea, so the name, Ryumon-baku waterfall might be perfect for its size of the image.

I find a similarity between the beauty sense of Ryumon-baku waterfall of Kinkakuji and bonsai. They both create the image of mother nature in the small scenery.

T.S