Japanese pottery dates back to Neolithic times. Over the centuries, many potters have distinguished themselves and found a place for themselves in history.
By the 6th century BCE, Japanese potters were making coiled pots. They would mold clay rope and coil it into various pot shapes and then bake them over an open fire. This is known as Jomon pottery.
By the 4th century AD, a roofed tunnel kiln type began to emerge. This was built into a hillside, and potters’ wheels became common. This anagama kiln could create stoneware. By the 8th century, potters had created a three color lead glaze technique which allowed them to make more colorful pottery.
Japan began importing pottery from China and Korea between the 11th and 16th centuries. They made special orders from China to fit their tastes. During their wars with Korea in the 1590s, they abducted many Korean potters and took them back to Japan.
As the centuries passed, many different periods developed for pottery. Tea implements were a primary need from potters, and many styles emerged. By the Edo period, they used porcelain quite a bit. They learned a lot about porcelain from the Chinese.
In the mid to late 1800s, Japan went through an industrialization process. By World War I, there were three potters who influenced the rest of the designs of that period: Kusube Yaichi (1897-1984), Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) and Kawai Kanjiro (1890-1966). By World War II, many potters were more interested in sculptural forms. Today, there is another movement known as the Heisei period. It began in 1989 and continues to this day. Pottery is useful for everyday use, or for collecting.
Crowds do exist in Japan, especially in the major cities. While this may be a culture shock in itself when you visit Japan, unless you see rush hour in motion, you won’t get the full picture of how crowded it really can be at times. At other times and places, Japan can be as quiet and empty as any other place.
The most crowding you’ll see is in Tokyo at rush hour on the trains. They actually hire people who wear uniforms of long blue coats and white gloves that wait until it is almost time for each train to leave. They then start pushing all the people inside the train so the doors will close completely. The passengers are shoved in tightly like sardines.
Other crowded areas are wherever festivals are taking place. During the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, all the parks are packed with picnickers sitting on the grass enjoying their meals beneath the beautiful blossoms.
Certain parts of cities are very crowded in the evenings as people enjoy the lively nightlife. Shibuya, one of the most popular areas in Tokyo, is often very crowded as people flock there for shopping and entertainment. On hot days, pools are so crowded it is hard to see the water. Even cemeteries are crowded, with monuments packed shoulder to shoulder.
Even with the crowds, Japan’s cities work like clockwork. Twenty-four hours a day, everything flows smoothly. The 
inhabitants know what they need to do to keep the pace, and everyone fits this fast pace into their lives. Rural areas are less crowded, but there are fewer opportunities to make a good living. They don’t have access to the luxuries of city living, but they do have more space per person.
Last weekend I bought a really cute stationery set by Tokidoki. When I saw it I couldn’t pass it up. With writing personal letters becoming a lost art, I thought I’d do my part to not let it slip farther away from me.
Tokidoki Stationery Set
I always find it nice to receive letters from friends and family. It sure beats getting expensive bills. And I’m sure the recipients of my letters will feel the same way. I know with stamp price going up and up it seems like “what’s the point of paper and a pen” I think the point is that it’s super personal and requires some extra time and thought to do and that truly means something in this fast pace gotta have it instantly time we live in.
For me writing letters shows I care a lot about the recipient. Unlike an email were I can quickly go to my email program quickly type a sentence or two and then press send and that’s it; a letter requires me to take time out of my schedule to sit down, truly think about what I’m going to say and then personally write it out. It seems more human.
Letters can be as simple as saying “hi, how you doing” or as detailed as to tell an interesting experience you encountered but what ever is written, it’s done with such care and thought. And that’s really special and lacking now a days.
Afraid you have nothing to say? Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s more about the other person receiving something that you took time to create.
So, grab your favorite pen or pencil and a fun and interesting stationery set and get to writing your family and friends.
If anything, it is an excellent excuse to buy these beautiful stationary sets, as if you needed one.
