Last Sunday, Adriaan and I went to Sapporo on the northern island of Japan Hokkaido to the Snow Festival “Yuki Matsuri”. It was my belated birthday present and a good way still to see something from Japan before we leave this great place at the end of this m ... Continue Reading
On my way to Japan I am visiting Singapore and Jakarta. In Singapore I did go to “The Gardens by the Bay”. This is a forest made of concrete and steel like an urban jungle. Eighteen man-made trees can create their own energy and try to recreate green. The trees have ... Continue Reading
Yesterday, I went with my friends Lara and Presila to the exposition of Bernard Leach In the Takashimaya store in Tokyo. This exhibition celebrates his life 125 years after his birth and is a reflection on the significance of Leach’s life as a “bridge between ... Continue Reading
I am back in the US after 51/2 weeks in Japan. I had a great exhibition. A lot of friends and people came all interested in my Kamakura-Red ceramic art. I had some good talks. Also, the Mashiko charity display got quite some attention and had some good results in donations for th ... Continue Reading
In February in between treatments I was in Japan for 2 1/2 weeks. It was not easy to go back, but when I was there I felt completely at home again and it was 100% alright. I was very busy: administration, financing, preparing my show for the end of March, arranging a treatment fo ... Continue Reading
Yuki Shibazaki-san, the owner of the Ginsuzu Gallery, is a writer. She published a book about the influence of the Japanese culture on the way of life of 43 foreigners living in Japan and I am one of them. The title is: “Watashi Nihon no koko ga suki”: I like Japa ... Continue Reading
After New Years I went to Stockholm with my son Maarten to see where he lives. He does cancer research at the Karolinska Institutet for his Masters for 8 months. He lives again in one room after living in a bigger apartment, but it is still quite big. It also snowed in Stockholm ... Continue Reading
New Years Eve celebrations in Holland are as divers as the people, but with the recent economical situation a lot of people go back to old traditions like having the party at home, watching TV or playing boardgames together. My sister-in-law Inge, my son Roland and niece Esmee. ... Continue Reading
This Kamakura Bori tray I found in an antique shop here in Kamakura. It has a beautiful Marguerite flower design on it and the texture around the flower brings everything in balance and harmony. This texture is typical for Kamakura Bori ware. You clearly see the black lacquer la ... Continue Reading
In the beginning of November I went to the “Shariden”, which is the centerpiece and the oldest building in the whole Engakuji complex and the only building in Kamakura that is designated as a National Treasure. The original one, which no longer exists, was built in 1 ... Continue Reading
