 The Japanese
and Art
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Tea is grown all arond Matsue and it seems that the life of the people
is closely related to tea and "The Way of Tea." 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.
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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,
too. Kilns like Fujina, Shussai, and others can be found all around the
area. Even little kilns produce lovely pottery. We think of Morigama in
Hakuta, and Jukogama in Kimachi. I could mention many more, but you probably
already know them.
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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. This is certainly a terrible shame, when Japan's young
people give more thought to leading a comfortable life, than to continuing
the beautiful arts of Japan. Kabuki and Bunraku are two more endangered
arts.
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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
to be a purely Japanese sport. I guess it is better to have the art continue,
than to lose it, 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?
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I am trying to learn Katasome, 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, shall we? Japanese art is among the most beautiful in the
world!
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