Japan Trip 2006

[bdngrd]

Thanks Kevin, I am in the middle of a snowstorm right now, but am being transported by those photos. Great shots!

[Silvermink]

Man, time for me to start saving some money.

[MYU]

Thanks for these great photos, Kevin. Looks like 2006 was a fabulous trip.

 

Man, time for me to start saving some money.

Me too! I've been to Japan only once, for a brief 5 days, and it was only a teaser. Wajima... looks like a wonderful place.

 

Anyway, I have to get myself back to California before I even consider Japan.

 

 

Btw, someone took a

of that clock that really gives you a sense of how it works. Edited March 14, 2009 by MYU

[winedoc]

Sorry for the delay guys and gals.... meetings... kid's concert.... karate lessons.... you know, the other non-pen stuff...

 

OK, we continued to Yamanaka where many maki-e artists live. This area is also a nice place for hotsprings, and each hotel has it's own hotspring for their guests' enjoyment. A word about hotsprings, it is not for the shy ones. Basically they have one for males and one for females. You are suppose to wash yourself first before getting in the hotspring. It can be indoor, or outdoor, or both and you wear nothing but birthday suit. Of course, if you are shy, you can use the shower in your room. LOL.

 

The hotel has both western style rooms and Japanese rooms, and some of us who can't handle the traditonal rooms opted out for the western style rooms. The hotel is situated next to a creek with trails, quite nice to do a bit of walking before dinner

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We had a traditional banquet dinner tonight with 4 of the Danitrio maki-e artists.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/tn_DSC_0374.jpg

From right to left: Mr. Masanori Omote, Mrs. Omote, and Mr. Masayuki Hariya

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/tn_DSC_0373.jpg

From left to right, Mr. Koichiro Okazaki, Mrs. Okazaki, Young Hironobu Okazaki

 

An evenning is not complete without Karaoke... here is Mr. Okazaki entertaining us...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/tn_DSC_0370.jpg

 

Only a few of us dare got up there and sang.... yeah, I did Elvis. LOL. Tomorrow, we visit their workshops....

 

Here are some of the maki-e work done by each artist...

 

From Mr. Masanori Omote

Two Pavillions

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Maki-e/Masanori%20Omote/tn_DSC07455.jpg

 

4 Seasons of Ise Motoganari

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Maki-e/Masanori%20Omote/4seasons.jpg

 

Kirin.. no, not the beer. LOL

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Maki-e/Masanori%20Omote/kirin1.jpg

 

 

Works by Masayuki Hariya

Koyo

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Maki-e/Masayuki%20Hariya/tn_DSC03251.jpg

 

The oak and the owl

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Maki-e/Masayuki%20Hariya/tn_DSC03249.jpg

 

The moon and wild geese

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Maki-e/Masayuki%20Hariya/tn_DSC03244.jpg

 

 

Sample works by Mr. Koichiro Okazaki

Autumn Deer

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Maki-e/Koichiro%20Okazaki/DSC09213.jpg

 

Kaguyahime

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Maki-e/Koichiro%20Okazaki/tn_DSC04286.jpg

 

Of course he did all the popular Tamenuri, Tame-midori, Ishimei, Nashiji-nuri etc.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Maki-e/Koichiro%20Okazaki/tn_DSC05301.jpg

 

 

Works by young Hironobu Okazaki

Bats

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/LA%20Show/tn_DSC08760.jpg

 

Mt. Fuji

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/LA%20Show/tn_DSC08753.jpg

 

Butterflies

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/LA%20Show/tn_DSC08724.jpg

 

 

Kevin

[ethernautrix]

I am enjoying these photos very much (yours, too, Other Kevin!). This last set reinforces my need to have a pen "painted" by one of the Okazaki artisans. I admire their art very much. I see that the elder Okazaki "painted" your long-haired beauty pen, which is one of my favorite pens that I don't own. Absolutely stunning.

 

And the trip looks like it was a lot of fun!

[Jopen]

Hmmmm.... :embarrassed_smile:

 

Kaguyahime ... and the moon (or Mrs. Moon) is a work to be really loved, but I would have to winn a lotto (or a few of them) to get near something like that... Thanks Kevin for sharing it.

 

 

 

[troglokev]

Thanks for keeping these coming, Kevin! It's great to see the pictures of the actual people who make the beautiful pens that you sell, and to learn a bit about the place they live and work in.

 

(I have one advantage over you, though: the karaoke fans among my friends can't read katakana)

 

 

[winedoc]

Thanks for keeping these coming, Kevin! It's great to see the pictures of the actual people who make the beautiful pens that you sell, and to learn a bit about the place they live and work in.

 

(I have one advantage over you, though: the karaoke fans among my friends can't read katakana)

 

Glad you like the tours. Hey, BTW, the picture of your avatar, is it from Nikko.... the "No Evil" monkeys... hear no evil, see no evil and speaks no evil?

 

Kevin

 

[troglokev]

Glad you like the tours. Hey, BTW, the picture of your avatar, is it from Nikko.... the "No Evil" monkeys... hear no evil, see no evil and speaks no evil?

 

Kevin

 

Sure is! It's a crop from this image (part of this set):

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3045/2386934336_14e2709ef7.jpg

Edited March 16, 2009 by troglokev

[DovR]

Hey Kev, do you plan another of these in the near of far future. Would we Middle Easterners, Europeans, Asians and/or those from down under be able to join if we meet you and the group in Japan?

 

Of course this is hypothetical as (a) you've not yet announced that there'll be another trip ( if yes, one must start saving the greenbacks or rather "Yentiful" supply's worth. For those who love Japanese pens and culture of maki E, this could be the trip of a lifetime.

 

I think i suggested this to you back in 2006 after you posted your first pen trip report. You're very welcome to bring a group to israel, and the holy land, or do the cradle of civilization, Greece Egypt Israel and or Rome iso Greece, Wholesalers run these tours and not that expensive. Over here we'd organise a special IPC pen club meeting for your group.

 

R U doing Chicago this year or will it be DC as usual.

[winedoc]

Hey Kev, do you plan another of these in the near of far future. Would we Middle Easterners, Europeans, Asians and/or those from down under be able to join if we meet you and the group in Japan?

 

Of course this is hypothetical as (a) you've not yet announced that there'll be another trip ( if yes, one must start saving the greenbacks or rather "Yentiful" supply's worth. For those who love Japanese pens and culture of maki E, this could be the trip of a lifetime.

 

I think i suggested this to you back in 2006 after you posted your first pen trip report. You're very welcome to bring a group to israel, and the holy land, or do the cradle of civilization, Greece Egypt Israel and or Rome iso Greece, Wholesalers run these tours and not that expensive. Over here we'd organise a special IPC pen club meeting for your group.

 

R U doing Chicago this year or will it be DC as usual.

 

 

Hi Dov,

 

No Chicago or DC for me this year. Work has been exceptionally busy. Healthcare is also affected this time around. Hirering freeze make more work for the rest of us unfortunately.

 

I am hoping the economy will be more favorable in couple of years, so if we are going to have a group, it will be after economy rebound to give folks to save up. A few FPNers have already contacted me to put them on the list if a trip materializes. Would love the chance of one day seeing Holy land!!

 

Best,

 

kevin

[winedoc]

We visited maki-e artists' work shop in Yamanaka, and for pen lovers and maki-e lover, it was a VERY FUN day!!!

 

First we visited Yuhaku san's work shop. Both Mr. and Mrs. Yuhaku are maki-e artists

Here you see Mr. Yuhaku in front, then Mrs. Yuhaku and two workshop assistants

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/tn_DSC_0386.jpg

 

Some of their non-pen Maki-e works

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/tn_DSC_0383.jpg

 

 

While we are waiting for the bus for our next stop, we saw a group of kids going on a trip with their teachers. They are so well behave and polite

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/tn_DSC_0389.jpg

 

Next we visited Mr. Koichiro's family. Since our visit, Young Koichiro (the son) got married :-)

 

From left to right: Mrs. Okazaki, Mr. Okazaki, Young Okazaki and grandma Okazaki. Must be the nearby hotsprings, all their skins look so good... I mean, what wrinkles??

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/tn_DSC_0382.jpg

 

Kogaku san at his work station. It is not a big room, but he kept it so clean and organized

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/tn_DSC_0375.jpg

 

Maki-e pens

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/tn_DSC_0376.jpg

 

His tools

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/tn_DSC_0378.jpg

 

other maki-e objects

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/tn_DSC_0379.jpg

 

 

Next we visited Mr. Omote's maki-e school. Maki-e traditionally is a male occupation years ago, but we are seeing more and more female artists doing the craft. Currently Danitrio has two female artists working for them and they will be adding more in the near future.

 

Here is Mr. Omote supervising

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Students hard at work

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Needless to say, some of us did a lot of maki-e/urushi shopping here in Yamanaka and Wajima. Some of the spouses even encouraged their maki-e crazed better half to buy more. LOL.

 

We were transfered to a regional Komatsu airport which we took a domestic flight to Tokyo for our last leg of the trip

 

Mt. Fuji as seen on route

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/tn_DSC_0397.jpg

 

 

Here are some of the works by Danitrio's Female artists... Enjoy.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Maki-e/Wakako%20Todo/tn_DSC03279.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Maki-e/Wakako%20Todo/tn_DSC02916.jpg

 

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/LA%20Show/IMG_3706.jpg

 

Kevin

[solitaire]

I loved this thread. Thank you.

 

I am planning a trip to Japan in April but I don't have anything set up.

Would you tell me the names and address (and etc) of the hotels you liked.

 

Thanks again for an inspiring experience - great photos

 

Solitaire

[winedoc]

I loved this thread. Thank you.

 

I am planning a trip to Japan in April but I don't have anything set up.

Would you tell me the names and address (and etc) of the hotels you liked.

 

Thanks again for an inspiring experience - great photos

 

Solitaire

 

 

Not sure exactly where you will be going in Japan, I can only list the hotels that we stayed. For convinience, we stayed at New Miyako Hotel near the train station while in Kyoto. The bus from airport drops right at back side of the train station and from there you can see the sign of the hotel and just walk right over and takes about 5 min. The train station is huge and is different than train station in the States. It has couple big department stores and a 4 star hotel INSIDE the train station, not to mention fine restaurant and cheap eats. The bullet trains, regional express trains, and sub way all pass through here, not to mention all buses stop here as well, VERY convinient as a base. April is a great time in Japan as all the cherry blossom will be blooming and the weather is still mild. When you book rooms, make sure you get a room in the NEW building, that's where we stayed.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g2...ture_Kinki.html

 

In Wajima, we stayed at the Wajima Yashio http://www.wajima-yashio.com/

It is a traditional Japanese inn, which means meals are included. It is so close to the ocean and I wish we would have stayed more nights. Most tour member feel the same

 

In Kanazawa, we stayed at Hotel Nikko Kanazawa http://www.hnkanazawa.co.jp/

Again, very close to the trains station. One word about trains station in Japan, it is not seedy, so no worry. It is a very nice modern hotel, clean, and the buffet is to die for.... just wait until you get to the desert trays... yum!

 

In Yamanaka we stayed in a hotel caterred to hot springs, Kajikaso Royal Hotel http://www.daiwaresort.co.jp/english/13_yaman.html

Surounded by creek, 2 blocks to small town

 

The only hotel that is sort of let down is in Tokyo as Tokyo is so much more expensive than other parts of Japan. It is not a bad hotel, just after we have been spoiled by the others. It's Prince Hotel in Shinagawa.

 

Best,

 

Kevin

 

[troglokev]

I'll add one place to Kevin's suggestions: Rindou no ie in Nikko. It's a homestay, and is quite popular, so booking may be difficult.

 

Nikko is definitely worth a visit, though!

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/2386943192_358687e7f8.jpg

[winedoc]

Sorry for the delay... too many requests for pictures lately... hard for me to keep up, and with day job getting in my way....oh well :-)

 

Last stop is Tokyo. To cut cost, our official tour guide left us once we get to Tokyo. Tokyo may seem chaotic, but the subway system is really nice to use... just avoid rush hours and you'll be fine. We stayed in Tokyo for 3 nights and each one of us do different things... some went to the covered market next to the railroad track, some went to department store, and some went to visit Nakaya, or other famous sites around Tokyo.

 

I spent one day at Nikko, which is the final resting place of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. He is the character that James Clavel's novel Shogun is very losely based. His will did mentioned he wanted to be burried at Nikko, but he wanted a more simpler shrine, but his grandson, 3rd Shogun Iemitsu went all out and essentially built him a huge complex. This is because Iemitsu was able to become shogun thanks to his grandpa's backing. His father, the second shogun actually was going to make Iemitsu's younger brother the 3rd shogun if grandpa had not intervened. Ah, all that family feud. For those of you who is into Nija TV shows, will remember the "Yagyu conspiracy" which is very loosely protrayed during this period.... but, anyways, I digressed.

 

Nikko is a huge compelx of temples and shrines. If you can see it, do see it. It is amazing place.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/DSC_0443.jpg

 

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The tour also took us to this fall... I think the tour guide told me a very famous Japanese poet (or is that novelist) committed suicide by jumping off this fall.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/DSC_0455.jpg

 

We stopped at a lakeside restuarant for lunch... trees started to change colors....

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Kevin

[winedoc]

the following day is another free day to explore Tokyo, and I decided to go with the boss fo Danitrio to Nitten exhibition. It is a large and popular exhibit which is subdivided to different category: traditional craft, modern art, painting, sculpture etc. A lot of people showed up for this and typically, no photos allowed, but I managed to get a media badge whic allowed me to snap away. Couple of Danitrio's maki-e artist also showed their works here. I am not going to comment too much, but rather, let you enjoy these fine arts...

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v392/winedoc/Japan%20Trip%202006/DSC_0485.jpg

 

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There was just too much to see and not enough time... Anyways, this wraps up our 2006 tour. I have spoked with Danitrio and they are willing to lead another group of enthusiasts to Japan when econmomy is better and dollars stronger. There are plenty of things to see an do in Japan, so we can take different routes. Anyways, hope you enjoyted the pictures.

 

Best,

 

Kevin

 

[pay]

Thank you Kevin for that really nice tour! I enjoyed it and I imagine lots of other folks did too.

 

I'm headed to Japan! But not till July 2010 Hard to wait now!

I'll be staying in Sendai, for work, but I plan to leave lots of free time for excursions.

[winedoc]

Thank you Kevin for that really nice tour! I enjoyed it and I imagine lots of other folks did too.

 

I'm headed to Japan! But not till July 2010 Hard to wait now!

I'll be staying in Sendai, for work, but I plan to leave lots of free time for excursions.

 

 

Glad you like the photo journey. I am sure you'll have lots of fun in Japan. My wife's family was from Sendai, land of the one eye dragon Date Masamune

 

Kevin

[troglokev]

Thank you Kevin for that really nice tour! I enjoyed it and I imagine lots of other folks did too.

I'll cheerfully second those sentiments!

 

I'm headed to Japan! But not till July 2010 Hard to wait now!

I'll be staying in Sendai, for work, but I plan to leave lots of free time for excursions.

 

Home of Ohashido pens!

 

Unfortunately I was not on one of Kevin's tours when I last visited Sendai, so a visit to Uehara san was not a possibility. :bonk:

 

There is much to interest you nearby, though.

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3271106705_6504f5f3f1.jpg Masamune Date (as he is today ->) http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3503/3271039017_77609292dd.jpg

 

Matsushima and Goishi Kaigan are famous beauty spots within striking distance of Sendai:

 

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/3268579499_3cd0901f05.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/3268479209_1b78e485e6.jpg

 

Enjoy your time in Japan!