throwing

I threw some bowls using my studiomate's wheel. A few are for my friends in Japan and the rest will go to somewhere else.

Throwing is very calming process when I don't need to make precisely. But when I have to make ones that are the same shape and the same size, it's very difficult. It is something I'd like to spend time to improve.

Anyway, one of the things I'm looking forward to see in Japan is a craft fair. The independent young makers (and mainly potters) show and sell their work in a park. It is a very popular show and attracts exhibitors from all over Japan.

In Japan pottery was a family business because of the secret ingredients in glazes. Then it became like master and apprentice practise. You would have to make tea and clean the studio for the master for 3 years, then you can knead clay for 2 years and then you can throw tiny cups for 3 yeas and so on. (This is not all true though.) Now the young potter develops their own glazes and can get established in a few years. Although it is still time consuming practise.

I have found a few exhibitors who had to evacuate their loving studio because of the disasters and continues making in other areas. I will give them some of the donations I raised. I hope that's OK with you...

休暇中のスタジオメイトのロクロを借りてボウルを作りました。私はロクロは使わないのですが（持っていないので）、技を上げたいと思うことの一つです。土に集中していないといけないので、ロクロを引いている時はとても気持ちよく、楽しい過程ではあるのですが、まだ技術が伴わないので、土のいいなりになっています。

日本で楽しみにしていることの一つが松本のクラフトフェアに行く事です。若手でもレベルの高い日本の作家さんたちの作品を見せてもらえるので、刺激の多い体験になりそうです。日本のモノ作りにかける心意気はホントに高いので、いろいろ見て、久しぶりの日本を有意義に過ごしたいなと思います。