We begin day 7 of our Zen of Spirit journey in Hagi, a small seaside town which is home to two of the finest potters in Japan. We start with the “Haiku of the Day” to set the tone. Robert Yellin, a writer and long time friend of Steve Beimel’s, explains that today is the day of pottery and here is his haiku:
Bringing busy mind
into present moment
Hagi sake cup.
Ah yes, it’s about being present again. We meet Okada sensei, a traditional Japanese potter. He is the eighth generation of a family of potters in the Hagi style. He opens his studio and his heart to us and demonstrates the art of making a tea cup and bowl. Observe how present he is, how masterful.
Okada sensei invites us for tea in his shop. We sip big bowls of frothy green tea, eat delicious candies, and gaze at beautiful works of pottery all around us. We cannot help but pick the pieces up, holding them, and viewing all sides, even the bottoms.
Sensei Okada explains that the beauty is found in the imperfections, if the works were perfect they would be boring. Much shopping and buying, and on we go.
We meet Hamanaka sensei, a contemporary potter, also well known throughout Japan. We reflect his calm, composed nature. He comments that we are “glowing.” Hamanaka’s pottery causes quite a stir — he serves us tea in cups of his elegant design. Many of us buy the cups because we cannot bear to part from the feel of them. Hamanaka’s home, which he designed himself, is a work of art as well — peace surrounds and fills us. What do you notice?
Lunch and exploring the town. We walk the small streets, ask for directions, stop in small shops where shop owners give us presents just for coming in. Back at Tomoe Ryokan, our exquisite inn, we bathe in hot springs and relax at dinner.
Two beautiful ladies play the koto, a long stringed instrument, and charm us with their gracefulness. We sing along in Japanese.
John Morton shares with us on his birthday. A fitting end to an inspiring day. All is well in this present moment.
And the journey continues…
