Pottery, Tea, and Sake

Today we had a break from schools and visited a few industries in Yokkaichi.  We began at the Banko Ware Center, a pottery museum showcasing this type of pottery that is indigenous to Yokkaichi.  It is beautifully unique and sold all over Japan.  Almost all Japanese families use banko ware tea pots and rice bowls and were told 80% of the population's pottery comes from Yokkaichi's banko ware.  

While we were able to see the history of and exhibits of the creation process, we weren't able to see banko ware being made.  Therefore, we next traveled to an artist's private residence and banko ware workshop.  His home was absolutely beautiful.  His wife greeted us with banko ware cups of green tea (she paints the pieces her husband creates).  They spoke of the generational business and the process and time that goes into their art.  And, we saw pictures in their home of them presenting one of their pieces of art to the Emperor.  

After talking inside, we walked through their gardens to the workshop- two small buildings behind their house.  The artist showed us the process for kneading, shaping, shaving, and burning the pottery.  He even let a couple of people from our group shape the clay on the spinner (I left that one to the art teachers!).  It was quite intriguing, and his pieces are beautiful.  

We next had lunch at an Italian restaurant (yeah, that's right, Italian in Japan- I'm still trying to figure out this choice for our lunch...) and then had the opportunity to learn about and participate in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.  The tea house and gardens were so serene.  In the house, we learned about the history and significance of the ceremony and then had the opportunity to participate in a tea ceremony.  It was quite special- especially in such a peaceful, zen-like setting.

After tea we moved on to a local sake brewery.  It was a small distillery and we had time for a short tour and a tasting.  A few of us walked to the local industry center after arriving at our hotel (fortunately, we're staying right in the heart of the city) and were able to purchase some of the banko ware and tea we experienced earlier in the day.  

We must leave early tomorrow morning to arrive in time to greet the elementary school students as they arrive to school.  Therefore, we decided to forego karaoke tonight :)