Back to Japan: I also took research day trips to the famous porcelain and ceramic production towns of Imari and Arita! You may recall that I visited Arita on a day trip last year as well, but it was overwhelming and I knew I wanted to return - more prepared this go-round.
I went to Imari first, as the logistics of visiting it were more fraught; it involves taking two trains and a bus, and the bus is the biggest hurdle; it only runs four times each day so you have to make sure you catch two of them!
Two days later, I visited Arita. Then upon the recommendation of two of the other Arts Itoya artists, I went back two days later and got off at Kami-Arita station, walking back to Arita station and visited a museum, a shrine with a porcelain torii gate, a set of kiln-brick wall alleys, and a lot of shops. It was good advice; I really enjoyed that too!
I learned more about the ceramics from these areas (production and fine art, traditional and contemporary, hand-painted and stencil) and purchased some pieces that will hopefully make it back intact in my luggage!
