After Nikko we traveled to Mashiko. We had to wait a while in the city Utsunomiya to transfer, where we did some shopping and sight seeing.We saw beautiful big neon signs: “Coca Cola”!!!

And of course, we found some beautiful Japanese girls!

After riding the bus for one hour, we arrived at the Minshuku of the Tougei Art Center of Furuki-san, where we stayed over for the night. It was very cold, but we made a fire in the big room.

Afterwards, we huddled together in the smaller rooms warmed by the gas heaters and the heaters underneath the tables. You stick you feet under it and close it off with a cover and your feet become nice warm and toasty.

The next morning, we visited the Toko Gallery where I sell my horsehair- and red ceramic ware and where I had my show in September 2007 in the treasure house. (Category: Gallery Toko).

Then we went to the Mashiko Ceramic Art Museum, but unfortunately, it was closed because of the Holidays.

But of course, we still saw some other ceramic stores and the big Tanuki on the main square of Mashiko.

Tanuki is the Japanese word for the Japanese raccoon dog. They have been part of Japanese folklore since ancient times. The legendary tanuki is reputed to be mischievous and jolly, a master of disguise and shapeshifting, but somewhat gullible and absent-minded.

It has eight special traits that bring good fortune: (1) a bamboo hat that protects against trouble, (2) big eyes to perceive the environment and help make good decisions, (3) a sake bottle that represents virtue, (4) a big tail that provides steadiness and strength until success is achieved, (5) over-sized testicles that symbolize financial luck, (6) a promissory note that represents trust, (7) a big belly that symbolizes bold decisiveness, and (8) a friendly smile.