Asuco's Diary

 Yesterday for my day off, I went to Mashiko Pottery Fair. There was so many people and stalls around the town. Meet beautiful people and pottery. So I enjoy with them every year.
Also, you can enjoy finding good discount prices since sometimes artists who usually exhibit department store or art galleries sell B-grade works during the festival.
Actually I enjoy to find general merchandise, too, other than pottery. This year, I found a nice basket box for storage. And I visited some friend artists' booths to see them.
It was nice at lunch in an outside stall cafe. They use pottery instead of using paper dishes. It is soothing to see the neat color of pottery dishes under the sunshine and of course it's eco-friendly.  I spent all day enjoying the festival!
This is a bag which I have been using these months. Sometimes I'm asked where I got it. I use this bag for advertising but also surprised at how much I hear the responses where I go. This is made by an artist  Hiromi Takahashi from Yamanashi-prefecture having exhibition at HANNA (my gallery). Her work has distinct and folkish designs but still have class. I think because her work uses good quality of parts and careful work. She has a broad range of fans since her bags are suitable for both casual and kimono style.
My bag is made with old cloth made by Miao people in Thai-land and decorated with metal work from old Japanese furniture. I will always treasure this. 

今日は母のギャラリー、シェイ・ケイコに、鹿沼在住の画家・荒井慧油絵展を様子見に行ってきました。
山の中に関わらず沢山の人。ありがたい。
Today, I went to Satoshi Arai oil paint exhibition at Chez Keiko (my mum's gallery).
There were many costumers even though it is in the country side. We are thankful.

実は荒井先生は私が小学生の頃から親しくさせてもらっている画家の先生。
いつも朗らかで、冗談と下ネタ話が好きで（笑）、お洒落でキュートな現在８２歳のおじいちゃん先生。　いつも皆に優しい人柄で、感謝の気持ちを忘れない方。　先生の情熱的なところは明るい人柄に反映されているような気がします。
いつか高校生だった私が、生意気にも先生の個展の演出方法にアドバイスした時も、沢山褒めてくれて、ニコニコ聞いてくれていた。。。今思うと、なんて大それたことを・・・と思います。
Actually I knew him since when I was an elementary school kid and we are good friends.
He is cheerful, like to tell jokes, always dresses nicely, and is a cute 82 years old guy.
Also he is kind to everyone and never forgets his feelings of gratitude towards those around him.
When I was a high school girl, I was impertinent enough to tell him my opinion about his exhibition at that time. He was listening to me with smiling and complimented me. Looking back now, I'm surprised how I could say such wild things to him.
先生の草花の絵の中でも、桜の絵は人気が高く、数年前はＮＨＫでもドキュメンタリーで紹介されています。　
He had introduced as a documentary program in a public TV show since his paint work, specially Sakura trees (cherry blossom), are so popular.

私の右側は奥さまの美代子先生も画家です。中・高生頃の私は、沢山の刺激をもらい、個性的な先生ファッションの真似をして古い着物の生地を集めては、スカートやバッグを作ったりしていました。
The lady next to me (right) is his wife Miyoko. She is also a painter. When I was a high school student girl, I got inspiration from her unique fashion, so I made many skirts, shirts, and bags myself with collected old kimono cloth.
大好きな荒井先生夫婦。　昔話に盛り上がりました。いつまでも仲良しご夫婦は憧れです。　
I love them a lot. We enjoyed chatting about old days. I want to be a nice loving couple forever like them.

昨日は都内に行っていたので、日本民芸館に寄ってみました。
Yesterday, I went to Tokyo so I stopped by Japan folk craft museum (Mingei kan).

民芸運動を創始した、柳宗悦（インダストリアルデザイナー柳宗理さんの父）によって、１９３６年に設立され、現在は伝統工芸品や収蔵品を展示する美術館です。　
The museum was established in 1936 by Yanagi Sōetsu (father of industrial designer Yanagi sori), the founder of the mingei movement and now the museum exhibits traditional crafts and collections.

「スリップウェアと西洋工芸」展が気になっていたので、覗きに行きました。
中に入ると、無名の陶工達が作ったスリップウェアに魅せられ、その美しさを広く、民芸運動の牽引役の一つとして紹介していった、民芸運動の当時のエネルギーを感じることができます。　バーナードリーチの作品やアメリカン・スリップウェアも観ることができました。
I visited there because I wanted to see the exhibition held now 'Slipware and Western Craft works'. There you can feel the energy at the time of 'Mingei movement'. The beauty of slipwear work which was made by obscure potters is spellbinding, and are introduced as an engine of the movement. I could see some ceramic works by Bernard Leach and some American slipwear works.

また、私にとっては新しい西洋の陶器と出会うこともできました。こういった感動を早く上手に表現できるようになりたいなぁ。
Also I could meet European pottery which was new for me. I wish I could explain this impression well.

また、銀座にある知人の古美術ギャラリーも訪ねてみました。　初めて訪ねたのですが、とても素敵なギャラリーでした。　本も出版し、憧れの女性です。　
Then , I stopped at an antique gallery in Ginza in Tokyo. I have met the owner lady before. But this is my first visit to her gallery. Very beautiful gallery and she published books about Japanese antiques recently. I like her books very much.

私のブログでも度々紹介させてもらっている、星野美加さんの天然石アクセサリー。
以前のブログはコチラ↓
Genuine stone accessories by Mika Hoshino. I posted sometimes about her in this blog .↓

・Harue & Mika's Exhibition 小林はるえ・星野美加　二人展　2009
・Harue Kobayashi & Mika Hoshino exhibition　小林はるえ・星野美加　一石一衣展 2010
・mi-scendo Mika Hoshino のアクセサリー　

ミカさんが、なんと都内渋谷にある東急デパート本店でアクセサリー展デビューです。　
ずっと応援している人だから、本当にホントに嬉しいです。　
This time!!! surprisingly! Mika has debut for accessory fair at Tokyu Department store in Shibuya Tokyo. I'm so glad since I'm one of her supporters.

だって、なかなか、そうそう出展できる場所ではありませんよ！東急本店なんですから！（笑：ｼﾂｺｲ？）
応援している人が、他の場所でも認められる事ほど、嬉しいものですよね。
Then again, it is not an easy place to have a fair. Because it is a famous and big department store in Tokyo! It is so nice to see that person who I've been supporting and is recognized by other places, too.

母と応援に行ってきました。
早速手にとっているお客様に、自分の作品を説明しているミカさん。輝いていました。
その場で買って、着けて帰る人もいました。　
そんなミカさんを見て、ずっと彼女を温めてきている母も、また喜びもひとしおの様子でした。
So I went to the fair with my mother.
She was showing to customers who are interested in her work. She has shone brilliantly.
I saw a customer got earnings and wore them out of the store. Seems like my mum also was particularly pleased watching Mika doing so well.

渋谷東急百貨店　１Ｆ　クリスマスビーズジュエリー展　
２０１１年１２月２５日まで　　お近くの方は寄ってみてくださいね
Tokyu department main store 1F Christmas jewelery fair
Until 25th December, 2011. You might find something goooooooD



そして、お知らせ。　
以前よりミカさんと相談していた、大人のアクセサリー作りを楽しむ　『ビーズジュエリーレッスン』」を、私のこの古い家を利用して２０１２年早々から始めることになりました。お楽しみに。　
２０１２年～　毎月　第３土曜日　１３：００～１５：００　　６０００円/月１回（材料費込み）　

More Information!!
Mika and I are planning to set up "Natural stone accessory lessons with Mika Hoshino" at my house from early next year.
2012. 3rd Saturday every month, 13:00-15:00, 6000yen/lesson

昨日は１日鎌倉散策。
といっても、一番の目的は・・・。写真で見てはとても気になっていた陶芸作家の実作品と、ご本人に会いに。
そして、ついでに上海から今日本に仕事で滞在中の、旦那さまのお友達ブライアン君を誘って鎌倉観光。
Yesterday, we went walking around Kamakura all day. Actually, my main reason was meeting a ceramic artist which I found on pictures and was thinking about for a while. And another reason is taking out Bryan for sightseeing in Kamakura, he is an American friend of my husband living in Shanghai, but he is staying in Japan for a few weeks in Tokyo for his work now.

まずはあるギャラリーへ足を運ぶ。や～～～～～っぱり。狙いどおり、というか、命中。どの作品も私の心を射抜いてくれました。
数枚の写真で気になっていたものって、実際はどうなんだろう・・って思っていたのですが、１点だけではなく、どれも「あぁ・・欲しいなぁぁ」と思わされてしまう作品達でした。　
そして、作家ご本人。行って良かった。会えて良かった。話せて良かった。　そう思える方でした。勇気出して訪ねてみてよかった。
At first, we stopped at the art gallery. Weeeeeeeell!! That I was expected and could say that is a hit!! Any of his ceramic art works are shooting and striking on my heart!! I was wondering if I really like the work when I saw on some pictures, but how would it be in reality? But any works make me think 'I want to have it'. Furthermore, the artist, I could think that, I'm glad to come, glad to meet him, glad to talk with him. I'm glad to have the courage to visit there.

そして鎌倉散策。
鶴岡八幡宮では花嫁さんに拍手を贈り～
鎌倉の市場「レンバイ」で鎌倉野菜を買い～
由比ヶ浜～では久しぶりの波の音と海からの心地よい風を楽しみ～
大仏では豆乳ソフトを頬張りながら、秋の大仏さまをしばし眺めて一息。
And then, we start to walk around Kamakura.
I gave applause to a bride at Hachimangu shine.
Get Kamakura local vegetables at Kamakura local market.
Enjoying listening to roar of waves and comfortable breeze from the sea at Yuigahama beach.
Walking and eating soy milk soft cream at the temple and had rest in front of the bronze statue of Amida Buddha.

帰りは恵比寿で飲んでほろ酔い（？）気分で電車で宇都宮まで。
たまにはこういう日帰り散策もいいものです。　
In the evenig, we went to Ebisu in Tokyo and had drinks. Then came home to Utsunomiya by train with feeling a pleasant buzz. It is good time to have a one-day train trip like this.

大仏さまの写真（上）は、最近だんな様が玩具にしているカメラで撮影したもの。
中古の安いカメラを買ってきて、カメラ内部のソフトを変えています。ちょっと絵画っぽくっ撮れて、楽しいです。（下）は私の普通のカメラ
This picture(upper one) of Amida Buddha was taken by my husband with the camera which is a his toy recently. He got a used cheap camera and used special software inside. It is little bit like a painterly picture, I like it!. The picture below I took with my normal camera.

小林大輔　絵画展　いよいよ那須塩原のギャラリー・バーンで大個展！！　
オープニングパーティーでした。なぜかまた母ケイコ登場にて司会。
The time has come for Daisuke Kobayashi's Exhibition at Gallery Barn in Nasushiobara. I went to the opening party. This time is my friend Daisuke's new step forward as an artist. My mum was an the emcee

私の結婚式にはＷｅｌｃｏｍｅボードも書いてくれた大ちゃん。友人としても、家族ぐるみの付き合いですから、私も嬉しさひとしおです。　
We got the welcome board from him for our wedding party. We are very friendly as a family, so I'm glad he is active like this.

今回は大ちゃんの、絵描きとしてのまた新たな一歩。作風もガラリと変わりました。これはこちらのギャラリー・バーンのオーナーさんからのアドバイスも受け、周囲の期待を一身に受けながらのスタートを切りました。　
彼にとってはまた新たな挑戦と世界となります。　
This time, he changed his style of paintings. He has started by having advice from the owner of this gallery and shouldering the burden of expectations by people around him. This will be the new challenge and the new world for him.

でも大丈夫。彼は一歩、一歩の成長を感じさせてくれました。
躊躇せず、素直に前進していった証が見えました。
配色に、リズム感のある作品達です。　
I think he did great because I felt that he grew step by step. I see no hesitation and stepping forward honestly. He has a sense of rhythm for coloration.

こちらのギャラリー・バーン　明るく開放感のある素敵なギャラリーです。　オーナーさんも若手発掘に意欲を持ち、心の広さを感じる優しい方です。　
是非大ちゃんの絵、観に行ってみてくださいね☆　パワフルカラーで元気いっぱいになりますよ。
Galley BARN is a light and open-planned gallery. The owner is a kind man with a big heart and active in discovering young artists.
Yeah, please visit and enjoy Daisuke's exhibition at Gallery BARN. You can be full of energy with his powerful color of paintings!!

小林大輔　絵画展　Daisuke Kobayashi
2011. 9/1 (Thu)- 9/15 (Thu)　
at ギャラリーバーン　那須塩原　Gallery BARN 　Nasushiobara

先日ある日の那須ツアー。Nasu tour for one day.
最初に寄ったのはチーズケーキ工房　MANIWA FARM。　頼んでみたのが甘夏チーズケーキ。
濃厚チーズケーキに一緒に焼かれている甘酸っぱい甘夏が爽やか～に口のなかに広がる感じ。雪解けチーズケーキはフワフワ。
At first, we stopped at Cheesecake bakery 'MANIWA FARM'. I ordered amanatsu (sweet summer orange) baked cheesecake. Refreshing sweet sour taste from amanatsu baked with and rich cheese taste are spread in my mouth. Another cheesecake 'Yukidoke' had a fluffy smooth taste!!


そして次に寄ったのは、先日シェイ・ケイコの企画展でお世話になった、鞄工房５１０の後藤さんのアトリエ。　さすが～～お洒落な工房です。実はこのストーブの上にディスプレイされているバッグ、わたくし狙っております。。ぺルー・アマゾンのシピポ族のどろ染め布を使用しています。やっぱりカッコいいな。
Then we stopped at Bag studio 510, Mr Goto's house. He had a great exhibition at Chez Keiko in June. That's just what I would expect from him. Chic interior. Actually this bag displayed on the stove is the one I want!! But I'm just waiting... The textile used is a mudding cloth (Chupakene) made by Shipibo people in Amazon in Peru. It is cool design..

そしてお次に向かったのは、後藤さんのお友達、ネコ人形作家　黍（きび)ねのサンと作家の中島たむむさんのご自宅、スタジオ寝猫夢さんにお邪魔しました。　
それがまたスゴい・・・。絵本の中に入りこんだようなお家。独特の世界観を表現されていて、勿論人形の作りにも徹底したこだわりが感じ取れます。人形自体の作りもそうですが、髪質や衣装まで。以前、舞台や映像関係の衣装部での経験があるそうです。
とりあえず家中を見まわす目が止まらない（笑）。　関西弁のお二人のお話も楽しくて、過ごす時間があっという間。
Then we visit 'studio Nenemu' where is the house of cat doll artist Kibineno and writer Tamumu Nakajima, they are friends of Mr. Goto. It is a great house. I felt like I was in a story book. They express their unique world-view around the house, and I could feel the thorough care for making dolls. Which is for material of hair and dress and of course body of dolls. The artist says that she has experience working at the wardrobe department for stages and theaters before. I just couldn't stop my eyes looking around the house. Also it was fun to talk with artists and I felt time goes fast.
帰り途にギャラリーに寄り、アート鑑賞。　
あ～～～～１日楽しかったぁ。
We stopped at another art gallery on the way back and enjoyed arts.
Whoooof, I enjoyed a lot!!! All in one day.

写真は後藤さん
Picture : Mr. Goto and me

今日は七夕です＆＆＆＆サーズデーナイトフィーバーです。
織姫ASUCOに会いにきてね！ｳﾌｯ（恥）
前回から登場のワカさん手作りジンジャーエール。オススメです☆
Tonight is Tanabata. And Thursday Night Fever!!!
Come and see Orihime-Asuco !! haha♪ ☆The new menu since last time, Waka's home-made ginger ale. Why don't you try it!!

先日、仕事帰りにちょっと足を延ばして・・・茨城県笠間市へ
「かさまど交流会」にお邪魔させていただきました。
The other day after work, I drove to Kasama-city in Ibaraki prefecture to participate in the Kasamado exchange party.

‘かさまど‘とは笠間や筑波で活躍している陶芸、写真、造形・・その他たくさんの作家さん達との交流会。
実は人みしりなＭｅはドキドキ・・・・
‘Kasamado' is a kind of gathering and party with many artists in Kasama-city or Tsukuba-city in Ibaraki-prefecture. But, my heart was pounding because I tend to be shy with people......


でもみなさんとっても気さく＆陽気！
But, they are so friendly and there was merriment.

開催場所も素敵！！　岩間第一分校。今は廃校になった、小学校だったところを、現在はイベントやアート活動などに使用できるそうです。
The place was neat, too!! It is called Iwama daiichi bunkou. The old building was used as an elementary school but is now closed. People use for events or art works now.

校庭の木には小さなツリーハウス
Cute tree house at the ground.


夕ぐれ時に到着すると、校庭に造形作家さんがなにやら展示を始めていました。
We arrived there around sunset and an artist was working on decorating his iron work.

ん？？大きな鉄板　Wao!! huge frying-pan!!

みんなでわいわいしながら、バーベキューやお好み焼き　
They had BBQ and huge okonomiyaki (Japanese pancake), it was fun.

暗くなってからは写真家中村さんの投影会まで。。
There were pictures projected by photographer Nakamura after dark.

最後はやっぱり花屋台カフェさんの美味しいコーヒーでしょうっっ！
Finally, I had tasty coffee from 'hanayatai cafe' (food truck cafe) .

いろんな’つながる’って素敵ですね。
I had a great time and felt that anything that 'connects with something' has meaning in our life.

かさまどのみなさん、ありがとうございました。
Thank you to everyone at 'Kasamado' !!