Star light, star...........

March 30, Friday

Today we had a full day bus excursion of Matsue and Yonago with our host friends. It started at Adachi Museum- a beautiful museum of Japanese arts with a Japanese garden.

Next it was off to Matsue Castle

Then it was off to a river boat ride around the old castle area.

Watch it, low bridge!!!.........they lowered the top many times
This was followed by a tour of the Mizuki Shigero Memorial Museum, he is a famous Japanese cartoon writer. One of his most famous cartoons involves eyeballs!!!?? The kids knew of him.
We then went to a candy factory- with many FREE samples- a huge hit with the students. Followed by a shopping spree at Jusco- you name it, they have it- and in huge quantities.

That evening, Koji took us to a woodworker friend of his ceramics master (teacher). His wood shop was on a hill top called Jupitarian Hill.

He mostly works by hand and is into natural materials and processes- truly amazing!

After showing us his work shop, he took us into a field where he is constructing an early Japanese shelter built into the ground. Here he is stoking the fire, using his wood chips as fuel, by blowing into a hollow bamboo tube. He offered Carol, Koji and me sweet potatoes cooked in the coals.

It was then off to his studio for tea and viewing his unbelievable work.

This piece of Zelkova, is probably one of the most beautiful pieces of wood I've ever seem. And it was one of many. Most of his materials come from old foresting, temples being taken down and trees that have to be cut.

Lastly, he led us up a ladder and across a wooden catwalk to another shelter he build on the roof of his storage building. The view and the stars were spectacular! But its not a place to go after mucho sake.......... or is it?

It turns out, this guy is internationally known and a genuine artisan. Who would have known? The gracious way he shared his time, studio and information is what we came to expect in Japan. What a pleasant experience!

It is definitely one of the highlights of my trip!! And I came away with a beautiful piece of 2" curly Japanese maple.......so much for lighter luggage on the way back to So Cal!!!