japanese potters: mr. & mrs. kajiwara

Discover the heartwarming story of a visit to the studio of Mr. Kajiwara, a potter from Karatsu, and his hospitable family in the Kyushu countryside. Learn about their traditional Japanese pottery and the simple, delicious lunch they shared, featuring rice grown by Mr. Kajiwara himself.

A gallery owner in Tokyo introduced me to Mr. Kajiwara. When I heard he was a potter from Karatsu -- one of my favorite styles -- I quickly asked if I could visit his studio. Mr. Kajiwara was bit startled, but graciously agreed. The next week, after a six hour train ride south, I met him at the station. He didn't speak English and I didn't speak Japanese, but he and his potter wife (I'm sorry I only have her name written in Japanese; when I figure out the translation, I'll add it to this entry) were such a warm, deeply hospitable couple it didn't matter. The Kajiwaras live in a simple home and workshop with their two children deep in the Kyushu countryside. They invited me to a simple, delicious lunch on their pottery. We savored rice that Mr. Kajiwara grows himself on his field across the way.