HUGE SALE NEWS!

Visited Master Maeda Keisuke at Koukenju Kiln today. It was grey and wet but he was in good spirits. We talked about life, including his upcoming daughter's wedding and a big trip to Tokyo to negotiate a display of his work at a department store there.

We also talked about the tough economic times both in Japan and abroad. Afterward he said he'd like to offer his work to customers outside of Japan for a reduced price. Now I am very pleased to be able to offer you many of Master Maeda's most stunning and rare works in our online Japanese pottery shop for 30% less than if you were in Japan and bought them here!

This is great news for collectors of Japanese porcelain or anyone who wants to buy a special hand-crafted work of contemporary Imari ceramics from a certified Master of Traditional Crafts.

Pottery Tour

Gave another free pottery tour of Okawachiyama Village last weekend. Had a nice time with a family from Boston living in Osaka.

Apologies for not updating the shop site and this blog much recently. I've been a bit overwhelmed with new house stuff (see photo). Look for new items being added to the Village of the Secret Kilns Pottery Shop in the near future!

Music Inspired by Okawachiyama Pottery Village

Last year I took Keith Stead on a tour of Okawachiyama pottery village. We spent several hours strolling through the narrow lanes, visiting kilns and talking with local potters.

Keith is a Royal College of Music graduate and an accomplished smooth jazz musician. Recently Keith composed, arranged and produced music based on his visit to this quaint Japanese country villlage. Find the delightful 4-track EP here. My favorite, Echoes of a Dream, has me hitting the rewind button.

David

Let It Snow

It's snowing again!

We're having a "real winter" this year. In this land of thin walls and paper doors, one definitely feels the winter cold, even indoors.

It makes me want to go to a hot spring and warm up like this guy at the Saitama Zoo. (Photo taken from the Japan Times photo journal)

Dave

The Throat Shrine

Above Okawachiyama Pottery Village, tucked into the side of the mountain at the top of almost 400 stairs, there is a beautiful little country shrine.

Most shrines in Japan are associated with something - traffic safety, exams, sweets, and so on. This particular shrine is good for your throat.

If you visit Okawachiyama and have energy left after walking through all the lovely pottery shops, I recommend you make the climb up to this shrine. On a clear day you can see all the way out to Imari Port, so renowned in the history of Japanese porcelain.

Camellia Series from Ooshuu Kiln

The Village of the Secret Kilns Online Pottery Shop is constantly being updated. We've added a new Camellia Series page from Ooshuu Kiln. Check out the updated shop and read our kiln profiles.