One of the highlights of the tour, was an impromptu visit to the home and studio of master potter; Shiho Kanzaki. Amazing!
We also had an amazing visit to Shoji Hamada's studio and home. I'm sure that everyone in the ceramic world knows who Hamada is, and his importance in the field of ceramics. The tour was led by Shoji Hamada's grandson; potter Tomoo Hamada (pictured above) who gave us personal insight into his famous grandfather's life and work. We also toured Tomoo's studio, which is beside Shoji Hamada's home, studio and museum. The earthquake in Japan last year damaged much of the buildings and kilns at Shoji Hamada's studio, but they are being slowly rebuilt and repaired.
Japan is a beautiful, magical place, and I am positive that I will be back in the future...