Photoessay #1046 - Yamagata Pottery

Nobuko took us to an old wooded section of Yamagata City nestled back in the foothills. The winding narrow streets featured several specialty pottery places that have been back in these hills for a very long time. No signs or parking lots, the places are very understated, blend right in. You would never know they were there.

In fact, the backwoods temple with the stalwart defenders was right across the street. A tour bus stopped on the narrow lane and Nobuko mused "you know, I think that's a special temple that people like to come see"

But back to the pottery places. You could go inside the work buildings with the kilns and watch the potters throw the pots. Nobody payed us no never mind. See how it is? I write one Japan post and I think of another one! What a rich trip we had!

We returned the next day because I wanted to purchase a bowl. The lavender glaze, I just loved it. You can see that the designs are simple, my lavender bowl doesn't stand out so much in my china cabinet. Only I know....

See the shop featuring their pottery. Notice the tatami mats, that means, take your shoes off and don't touch the ground with your foot (I never could quite get the hang of that) Aren't those pretty? I loved all the blue tones. Hard to pick just one!

The next shot shows the activity expected after your purchase. The proprietor urges you to stay awhile and accept their hospitality of green tea and pickled vegetables and other delicacies. And, of course, you do. Why wouldn't you? What do you have that's more important?

As is the custom, the bowl was beautifully wrapped up after I bought it. The last shot is a scan of part of the wrapping paper which featured several sketches of the site including the kilns. The building looked just like this!

One of the very few places where I could use a debit card.

Another comment on the shogun statues at the Tojiin Temple: I was talking to Dennis about how I felt the shogun's presence, that those statues somehow could speak. My post quoted that those statues had a lot to say for visitors who were quiet and would listen. Dennis agreed, he said that he felt that he was being judged when he was in there.