Sachiko's Baskets

I have had the privilege to know an amazing lady called Sachiko for well over 10 years who was one of my first English students while I was working in Japan. Since I have known her, she has never stopped being active, traveling the world, learning new skills and challenging herself much more than people half her age. I was lucky to meet her this time with my family while on Japan to catch up and show her how much my son has grown since last we met.

Saga Castle (Sachiko in the left)

Sachiko has been busy making baskets since last we met. Each take a couple of days and involve woven string, lacquer and a lot of patience. Each of her pieces have completely different sizes, shapes and patterns of weave. I thought this basket would look good with flowers in but we will try to use it for shopping in the weekly market.

We were lucky to receive a basket from Sachiko and  after getting it back home in one piece, really wanted to give a way to show her craftsmanship to the world.

The ice man

I'm always amazed by how Japanese people embrace traditional methods of working in this technological era and how much effort and dedication they put into a craft that has been forgotten in western society. This man was cutting big blocks of ice into cubes, dipping them in water and then bagging them up for sale with a lot of care and precision. The shop sells frozen kakigori (Japanese slush puppies). As it is January I wasn't ready for one, but I bet they are the best around in summer!

Day 48

I made this!

Went to a pottery studio while in Japan and tried my hand at using a potter's wheel. It took a month to dry and be shipped home and luckily made it in one piece! The master potter was worried my in-turned lip would make it difficult to drink so I suggested adding the spouty bit. I'm glad to say beer can be poured down the gullet from any position.