 Japanese
Art (2)
|
|
Tea is grown all around Matsue and it seems that the life of the people
is closely related to tea and its art. There are many tea shops and you
can drink Japanese tea almost anywhere you go. Pottery kilns can be found
right in the middle of the city. These kilns make tea bowls and other
items for the tea ceremony. One of these makers is named Fukushima. His
charming daughter, Emi, has studied pottery and practiced it for years.
That is wonderful!!
|
|
Other kilns that are famous are Sodeshi and Rakuzan. They are right
in the city. Kilns like Fujina, Shussai and others can be found all around
the area. Even little kilns produce lovely pottery. We think of Mori gama
in Hakuta and Juko gama in Kimachi. I could mention many more, but you
probably already know them. I love to see young people, like Mr. Fukushima's
daughter Emi, doing their best to continue the old arts and crafts. Most
of the old arts, like Tsutsugaki and Katazome, will die out when the present
masters can no longer do it any more.
|
|
This is certainly a terrible shame when Japan's young people give more
thought to leading a comfortable life than to continuing the beautiful
art of Japan. Kabuki and Bunraku are two more endangered arts. Kabuki
now has one group of foreign people doing it. Many foreign students study
everything from Bunraku to paper-making. I guess it is something that
can't be helped. Even Judo has many foreign masters now. It used be a
pure Japanese sport. I guess it is better to have the art continue, even
if another country's people do it.
|
|
Wouldn't it be wonderful if each of us tried to learn some old art as
a hobby? I am trying to learn KATAZOME, as you know. As with everything
I try, I am doing it whole-heartedly. I have interested several other
people in it and perhaps they will become great at it! I hope so! Let's
all try something, shell we? Japanese art is among the most beautiful
in the world.
|