Ceramics of Japan Tour

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Ceramics of Japan Tour
Our Japan ceramics tour from October 27 – November 6, 2013 is designed for enthusiasts, potters and anyone interested in the art of Japan.  On this journey we’ll discover the beauty of both the lush countryside and the incredible ceramics of Japan.  Joining our Japan-based art and ceramics expert and guide, Keiko Nishi, your guide, will be guest lecturer Robert Yellin, one of the foremost experts on Japanese Ceramics.  With such a talented team you’ll return home with an education in ceramics, from mingei pottery to high-fired, low-fired, glazed and unglazed yakishime.

From our base in Kyoto we’ll visit the great pottery centers of Shigaraki, Bizen and Tambe to explore the unique styles of each and learn about both traditional and contemporary ceramics.   Throughout the Japan ceramics tour we will have many opportunities to be guests in potter’s studios, where we will hear about their lives and their art.  We will also get to see the work of other craftsman in Kyoto and to enjoy the mastery of these artists. We’ll visit small towns full of artisans still working with traditional materials in both ancient and innovative ways.

Itinerary – Ceramics of Japan

Sunday, October 27  Depart for Japan on your individually arranged flight.

Monday, October 28  Arrive Japan

Arrive Osaka Kansai airport.  You will be met and transferred by reserved van shuttle to the Royal Park Kyoto hotel, our well-located tour hotel and convenient to public transport.

Tuesday, October 29  Kyoto

Spend the morning at Daitokuji Zen monastery, for a private experience of the Way of Tea with the abbot of Zuihoin sub-temple, an introduction to their extensive tea bowl collection and a discussion of how the ceramic history of Japan is so closely tied to the tea ceremony. After lunch in a 500-year old noodle shop visit Ryosho, a gallery specializing in implements for the tea world for a presentation of a full range of tea bowl styles by the retired founder and former manager of Takashimaya’s art department.   End the day in Eastern Kyoto for a walk along the Philosopher’s Walk to a Robert Yellin’s Yakimono Gallery to continue our introduction to the world of Japanese ceramics.  Return to the hotel for dinner on your own.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch

Wednesday, October 30  Tamba

Travel to the town of Tamba to start the exploration of ceramics with a visit to the studio and kilns of some local ceramic artists.  Tamba ware originated in the medieval period, and is typically a style used for storage jars and vases and it is also famous for its sake bottles.  Rob Yellin will put the artists you are visiting in context so that you will have a deeper appreciation of this type of Yakishime, high-fired unglazed stoneware.  After our return to Kyoto we will have a group dinner at a local restaurant.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Thursday, October 31  Kyoto

Explore the Gion area, including the Kennin-ji monastery and gardens, followed by a walking tour of the nearby Kyoto traditional ceramics district, including the Kiyomizu Rokubei family generational museum, the Kondo Yuzo museum and a visit to the home of a renowned celadon master.  Learn about the 300-year old Ninsei and Kenzan styles. Return to the center of Kyoto to visit a current ceramics show.  Tonight dinner will be on your own.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch

Friday, November 1  Bizen

Today we head to Okayama prefecture for a visit to the Bizen Pottery Village in Imbe.   Rob will lead us on an exploration of the various tunnel kilns and artists still practicing the centuries old art of creating these unique reddish or brown-colored, unglazed works.   We will learn about the six major variations of Bizenware and how they are created through the careful placement of the objects in the kiln.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch

Saturday, November 2  Kyoto

Start the day with an ikebana demonstration showing ceramic vases by a master teacher in the Sogetsu Ikebana school.  Next travel to the Raku Museum and follow that with a visit to the Kawai Kanjiro house.   Lunch will be in a Zen-style vegetarian restaurant set in a lovely old house near Kiyomizu temple.   After a visit to a contemporary ceramic mingei artist, the rest of the afternoon will be free for exploring Kyoto on your own or using Esprit’s complimentary shopping map. Take an optional early evening walking tour with your tour leader of the Gion geisha district before dinner on your own.
Included meals: Breakfast

Sunday, November 3 Kyoto

Start the day at one of Kyoto’s quiet garden for a reflective moment.  Enjoy a demonstration of Senchakai, the leaf tea ceremony at a private restaurant, with an introduction to Sencha ceramics.  The proprietor of Kyoto’s oldest inn and garden, located facing the Takano River, will do a presentation on how the various styles of dishes are used in the presentation of a Japanese Kaiseki meal.  The rest of the afternoon will be free for exploring Kyoto on your own or using Esprit’s complimentary shopping map.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch

Monday, November 4  Shigaraki

On today’s out-of-town excursion by private bus to Shiga prefecture, we will visit the Sagawa Museum of Art, a beautiful contemporary architectural site which has devoted a special underground wing to the spectacular work of 15th generation Raku potter, Raku Kichizaemon IV.  We’ll enjoy a Japanese bento lunch en route and will visit the studios of a selection of ceramic artists and kiln tours with commentary provided by Rob Yellin.   Return to Kyoto by early evening.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch

Tuesday, November 5  Kyoto

Today is devoted to a series of visits carefully selected by Rob Yellin to highlight contemporary ceramic artists in the Kyoto area.   End the day with a farewell dinner.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Wednesday, November 6, Depart Japan on your individually arranged flights

Transfer by reserved van shuttle, per individual flight times, for your return flight from Osaka Kansai Airport
Included meals: Breakfast

Registrations are being accepted now.   The tour will run with a minimum of eight participants and a maximum of 16.  A final decision on whether the tour will run will be made by June 28th or as soon as we have the minimum.  If the tour does not operate, all deposits will be fully refunded.

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TRAVEL NOTES – CERAMICS OF JAPAN TOUR

Price: $5550

Tour Price Includes:

Nine nights accommodations in Royal Park Kyoto hotel, sharing a room
Daily breakfast and additional meals as indicated
Round-trip airport transfers by reserved, shared van shuttle
All internal trains and buses for the tour, including riding on Japan’s famous Shinkansen “Bullet train”
Informative commentary by an Esprit tour leader who is fluent in Japanese, using our unique radio headset system
Special guest lectures by Japanese ceramics expert Robert Yellin
Admissions and local transportation
Single supplement information is available upon request.
Singles are limited.
Twin beds are the norm in Japan for a double room.
Group size is limited to 12.

Price may be adjusted at the time of final payment for currency fluctuation.

For registration information and Terms and Conditions, call 800-377-7481, or email info@esprittravel.com.

Note:

Actual visits and events will be finalized approximately 30 days prior to departure to allow for the inclusion of special exhibitions, visits and events, and are dependent on the schedules of our Japanese colleagues. A final itinerary will be sent to you about two weeks prior to tour departure. The itinerary is subject to change at any time.

Japan. Endless Discovery

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