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Home , Ceramic art, Kakiemon

Traditional , Contemporary : Exploring Old and New

May 18 - 30, 2018

Japan America Society of Minnesota Archie Bray Foundation for the

Itinerary

The following is the itinerary for the ABF/JASM tour of traditional and contemporary , craft, and in Japan. This tour will visit sites and studios not usually included on such tours—traversing from Kyushu in the south to Takamatsu—and on to Tokyo. We will visit individual studios, where talented ceramic produce both traditional pots as well as pots and which break with the past, along with a center for basketry, and the premier fabric in Japan. We will also visit numerous examples of ancient architecture, as well as some of the best examples of architectural design by noted contemporary Japanese architects. This special tour is for people who like to travel with a spirit of exploration and adventure, open to the unexpected and the chance encounter.

We will add more information as time goes on, such as detailed hotel addresses, and also suggested background reading. Some specific visits in each major location may be added or deleted, as we refine the itinerary. Links to various web sites will be included; some may require hitting a asking for English translation. Please note that participants will be responsible for carrying their own bags during most of the travel transfers; we advise traveling light.

Please address specific questions to either Ben van Lierop ([email protected]) or Emily Galusha ([email protected]).

Departures from Minneapolis or other cities of origin to Fukuoka, on the of Kyushu. [We recommend you consult a travel agent for the easiest and/or most economical flights and other transportation modes, including transferring at an international airport to a national carrieir, such as ANA or JAL.]

Day 1 | Friday May 18, 2018 | Arrive in Fukuoka

Arrivals throughout the day and evening.

Welcome snack and sake toasting at the hotel.

Accommodations in Fukuoka: Hotel New Otani Hakata [one night]

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Day 2 | Saturday May 19, 2018 | Fukuoka  Karatsu Meals (B, L)

Morning departure from Fukuoka by motorcoach for studio and visits in Karatsu. We will visit the studio and of Ohashi Yutaka [ potter Betsy Williams’ sensei]. We will also visit the studios of Nakazoto Takashi and his daughter Hanako in this delightful small port located on the most westerly coast of Kyushu, considered the place of origin of in Japan.

Lunch provided at Arutokoro Restaurant

Accommodations in Karatasu: Karatsu Seaside Hotel [two nights]

Day 3 | Sunday May 20, 2018 | Karatsu  Arita  Imari  Karatsu Meals (B, D)

Morning departure by motorcoach to Arita. Visit Arita Museum and Kyushu Ceramic Museum, and shops and galleries to see examples of old and contemporary ceramic ware.

Return by motorcoach to Karatsu via Imari, to visit Imaemon Museum of Ceramic Antiques and Nabeshima hidden reserved for production, dating back to the 17th and 18thth centuries.

Day 4 | Monday May 21, 2018 | Karatsu  Beppu, via Onta Meals (B, L, D)

Morning departure by motorcoach to Beppu, via the tiny mountain village of Onta, designated by the Japanese government as an Important Intangible Cultural . The pots—Ontayaki—created here inspired Yanagi Soetsu to develop his theory of .

Arrive in Beppu, one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts and a center for basketry.

Accommodations in Beppu: Beppu Shiragiku Ryokan [one night] (traditional Japanese-style hot spring & inn) Dinner will be a traditional kaiseke ryori, an elaborate, multi-course meal that weds food and presentation in an experience that enables the diner to “eat with your eyes” as well as with your taste buds.

Day 5 | Tuesday May 22, 2018 | Beppu  Takamatsu Meals (B, D)

Morning departure by ferry to Yawatahama, a port on the western side of Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four major . After disembarking, we will travel by motorcoach to Takamatsu, along the northern shore of Shikoku. Upon arrival, we will visit the home and studio of Isamu Noguchi for a specially-organized guided tour.

Accommodations in Takamatsu: Takamatsu Tokyu Inn [one night] 2

Day 6 | Wednesday May 23, 2018 | Takamatsu  , via Osaka Meals (B, D)

Morning visit to the Ritsurin Garden, one of the most famous historical gardens in Japan, designated “a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.”

Late morning departure by express train to Okayama and then transfer to the Shinkansen train for Kyoto (approx. 2 hours). En route, we will stop in Osaka to visit the The Museum of Oriental Ceramics.

Accommodations in Kyoto: Hotel Granvia [two nights]

Day 7 | Thursday May 24, 2018 | Kyoto Meals (B, L)

Travel by motorcoach first to the Taniguchi addition to the Kyoto National Museum. Then, we will visit Nijo Castle, seat of the Tokugawa Shogunate that ruled Japan during the 360 years of the Edo Period. We will also visit the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, founded in 778, built and rebuilt in the centuries since then. For contrast, we will follow the temple visit with a visit to The Garden of Fine Arts, designed by Tadeo Ando.

Day 8 | Friday May 25, 2018 | Kyoto  Tokyo Meals (B, D)

Time permitting, we will visit the Robert Yellin Yakimono Gallery: Yellin, an American who has lived in Japan since the mid-80s, is a noted expert on both old and contemporary Japanese pottery. His gallery offers an opportunity to see an enormous range of excellent ceramics.

Depart by bullet train for Tokyo (approx. 2.5 hours). In Tokyo, we will visit the Nihon Mingeikan —the museum that focuses on leading figures of mingei movement, where we will be guided by a long-time expert in mingei.

Accommodations in Tokyo: Keio Plaza Hotel [five nights]

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Day 9 | Saturday May 26, 2018 | Tokyo Meals (B, L)

We will focus on the and other examples of contemporary Japanese art and architecture in the “design triangle” in Roppongi, including the Mori Art Museum in the top five floors of the Mori Tower (complex designed by Kohn Pederson Fox) in Roppongi Hills, 2121 Design Sight (collaboration between Tadeo Ando and Issey Miyake) in Tokyo Midtown, plus the Contemporary Art Museum (if renovation work is complete), and the Suntory Museum of Art. Our Roppongi tour will include a visit to Nuno, the home of the premier fabric designer in Japan, housed in the Axis Building. Time permitting, we will also visit several galleries in the Piramide Building, including the London Gallery designed by Hiroshi Sugimoto.

Lunch will be at Honmura An, which specializes in soba noodles (a beloved New York restaurant that returned to Tokyo a few years ago).

Day 10 | Sunday May 27, 2018 | Mashiko Meals (B, L)

Full-day excursion by motorcoach to Mashiko, the home of Hamada Shoji and Shimaoka Tatsuzo, NCC Regis Master and Living National Treasure, who made famous the “Mingei-hin”. Visit the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art and the home of Hamada Shoji. [studio visits in planning].

Lunch in Mashiko or surrounding area.

Day 11 | Monday May 28, 2018 | Tokyo Meals (B)

Depending on the special exhibitions, we will visit the in the morning. Then the rest of the day will be a free day for garden visiting, more architecture visits, and Shopping. For the last, we highly recommend a visit to Kappabashi-dori, the major source in Tokyo for all things in the kitchen, from brushes to grills to goods to aprons to fake food** to Lots of Pots. We will provide lists and maps of special shopping places. Recommendations for places to wander will be provided.

Day 12 | Tuesday May 29, 2018 | Tokyo Meals (B, L, D)

Full-day tour of Tokyo museums by motorcoach, with lunch and dinner. Museums will include the Nezu Museum and Gardens, the Idemitsu Museum, the Gallery of Horyuji Treasures (designed by Taniguchi Yoshio). May include Prada and Louis Vuitton Galleries in Omote-sando, depending on special exhibitions, and the Art Factory.

We will also visit Sensoji Temple in Asakusa with its “Nakamise” street of traditional vendors. Visit the house and studio of Asakura Sensei. 4

Farewell Dinner at Cujorl Trattoria, a small restaurant specializing in food that fuses Japanese and Italian .

Day 13 | Wednesday May 30, 2018 | Tokyo Meals (B)

Narita or Haneda International Airport – USA City Departure from hotel by “seat-in-coach” to the airport for return flight to USA home city.

Tour Conditions

Air fare: Not included. Each tour member will arrange her/his own airfare from home city to Fukuoka, Japan, via appropriate Japanese international airport.

Hotels Accommodations in twin-bedded room with bath at first class hotels or best available hotel in each location. Specific hotels may differ from early itinerary due to availability. In Beppu, Japanese-style ryokan accommodations with bath.

Sightseeing Price includes admissions to all museums, galleries and other sites as indicated in the itinerary.

Meals Full breakfast (buffet style) at each hotel, and lunch or dinner will be provided as indicated in the itinerary.

Transfers: By private motorcoach

Travel: By motorcoach or train or ferry as per the itinerary. Train fare includes reserved seat (where applicable).

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