Japan, Day 6 - Kyoto, Zuikougama

After a few days in Osaka it was time to discover a bit more of Japan. Misuzu had some things to do in Kyoto, so we all tagged along. On the Sunday we packed up and took an early morning train up to Kyoto. We had booked two different hotels, as we were going off in two different directions in the morning. Lucas thought our hotel looked a bit like a prison, ha ha, with a guard room on the roof:

We just quickly dumped the suitcases in the hotel and off we went to discover Kyoto. So Japanese to go on the bus, sitting behind some geishas..!

We went to an area of Kyoto called Gion. Misuzu had booked us in for a traditional Japanese ceramic art experience. We got to make our own Kiyomizu-yaki pottery! It was super fun!!

The pottery was situated just next to the Yasaka Pagoda. This pagoda was originally built in 592, but the original pagoda has been destroyed by fire and rebuilt several times. The current one was rebuilt in 1440.

Apparently they have been creating ceramics in this pottery since 1771. After a bit of introduction and a short demonstration, we got to make our own cups on an electric wheel, with the assistance of the potters of course.

We could only work four at a time, so while the first four worked their magic, the rest of us had to watch on.

Super concentrated..!

Then we swapped places. Even Ashley listened really well to all the instructions and did a super job.

Our finished products! We were all so proud!
From left, number two is Lucas cup, number three Linneas and the one far right is mine:

When we were happy with the shapes of our cups they were put aside, and finally we had to choose our glaze colours, from the colours below:

Apparently it will take six weeks before they are all ready, and then they will be posted home to us. I can't wait!