Kyoto, Japan 2016
Japan is well known for hand made items that are simple yet beautiful. Walking the streets of each town vs taking a tour bus allows me to stop and see both local stores and small treasure troves of local life.
I stopped at the doorway of a small, dark store that sold tea bowls, tea pots and other ceramic items.
I met the owner of the shop who was just as happy to sell me a small, inexpensive tea bowl as one of the tea posts priced at over $600! We could not talk with each other because I do not speak Japanese, but a smile goes a long way.
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| Simple displays highlight each piece for style or color. |
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| My single bowl was very carefully wrapped. The owner knew I was a traveler and took extra care to wrap the bowl in bubble wrap. I found the tatami platform he worked at (after removing his shoes) so Japanese! |
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| Just down the street was another ceramic shop. This shop featured tables of items by price. An interesting alternative approach. |
