我孫子市国際交流協会

Date: Saturday, July 14, 2007 9:00a.m.~5:30p.m.
Visiting place: Keyaki Plaza and Kasama City
Participants: 42 persons

A few people canceled their reservations because a mega-typhoon was approaching in Kyushu area, however, many people joined and enjoyed the bus tour.
The participants' nationalities were, China, Taiwan, Philippines, Malaysia, Mexico, Colombia and Japan.
First Mr. K.Ono, Chief of the Interchange Division showed the participants into "The Keyaki Plaza" building and explained its facilities. He also recommended them to make full use of the facilities as a community center.
The bus departed from the Keyaki Plaza and ran for Kasama City by way of the Joban Highway. Kasama City is located in the center of Ibaraki Prefecture, having
a population of 80,000. The participants paid homage at Kasama Shrine and finally arrived at the Craft Hills Kasama.
After lunch about half of them enjoyed strolling around the city and the others challenged to making pottery.
They tried to knead clay on the potter's wheels and shaped as they wanted.
The instructor taught them the secret for making it well. The key was to move fingers from bottom to top very slowly. He warned that kneading fast would break their shapes.
They made dishes, tea cups, rice bowls, ashtrays, sake cups called "guinomi", etc.
Some gave up because their clay was broken on the way to form a shape.
Handling of potter's wheel was the first trial for the most challengers, however, they managed to complete respective fine work, enjoying the wheel handling.
Some children chose to make a work kneading clay by hand instead of pottery's wheels, and some others tried to do a glass work.
Lastly they all cleaned up the potter's wheels and the workshop.
Their masterpieces will be burned in the kiln and colored in the studios, then in two weeks they are scheduled to be delivered to the each "potter".
The potters are certainly looking forward to their workmanship.
In the round-trip bus they introduced themselves and enjoyed singing, playing games like riddles, capping words(shiritori) and Chinese character game.
Though the weather was unfavorable, the tour ended safely and pleasantly.

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