Ceramics Review Part 3: Gifts 一期一会
Shino Tea Cup with Oribe
As I find giving presents or making things for someone way more special for me and to those I give those gifts, I made quite a few pieces that I have given to my friends. I think often that I enjoy giving things more than receiving them. I never know what face to make I feel so awkward when I get gifts. My enjoying the gift by pouring over with inquisitive excitement just never translates into the right happy face.
Just as clay is refined in fires that melt glass, and metal, so are human relationships weathered, become more strong, more permanent. Though relationships and physical nearness of loved one passes and fades and comes, a ceramic piece, this manufactured stone will last forever.
窯に高温度で焼いた土のように 人間の関係は問題を解答してから、もっと強くなる。あの人が亡くなっても、どこかに行っても、その陶器を持てば、あの時やあの幸せをおもいだせる。人間は無常でも、あの土は永久だ。
The below tea cup and the above tea cup were given to my dear college friend Ichiro, whose tears at telling me goodbye in Tokyo Int’l after only meeting him a few months before we a testament to the better part of the spirit of Japan.
一期一会
私はイチロに上と下のカップをあげた。私に四ヶ月しか付き合っていなかって、さようならと言った時に泣いたイチロを絶対忘れられない。彼女と一緒に幸せを祈っているね。
Though i never felt like I could really be a good friend to you Minami, I know that we had good times and that maybe the hard times here in Owase before you went home were maybe a little more fun thanks to Carla and I’s company. With that I am content.
本当にいい友達になれなかった気がしても、楽しい遊びがあった。私が君の尾鷲のつらい生活をらくにしてあげたかもしれないと思っている。それだけで、嬉しいです。どこでも、一生忘れないね！
Close Community, Distant Hearts
Work at Lapin. An average day, Chie-san stays until 2 pm after I work. Conversation is minimal at best; Nothing compared to being Oka-san, who never ceases to lift my spirits. I come in clean trays, the amount of bread on display, clean some dishes, converse. Suddenly an elderly woman and her granddaughter come in, as Chie-san leaves. Miho(the sister of the owner) comes to help me with register. But something isn’t right.
“Are you OK?”, I ask. Knowing she will lie.
“I am fine.”
As soon as the ritual “thank you”‘s and “come again”‘s are over. I look over; she is crying. She asks if its okay to leave the store to me.
“It’s fine.”
She rushes to the back. What happened? Why did she start crying all of the sudden? As i get utensils for the egg salad recipe, I overhear. Mostly cannot get. But what I understand is that something about hateful words said by that little girl earlier to her daughter at school – they were once friends? I can’t get it all. I curse my Japanese. A little later, Miho is still not around. Faking a reason to go to the storage room. She is leaning against the shelves. Still crying. I can’t do anything for her. I can only helplessly look on as she suffers before me.
My life in Japan has lead me into relationships that seem so right, so fun, and so satisfying. However, when trouble mounts around us, reality vaguely seen becomes terribly lucid. Those I care about I cannot console. Their pain is inconsolable. I can be there. Maybe that is enough… for them, but not for me. I am utterly helpless before their pain. The native speaker can easily contrive words of encouragement. I cannot even if I think for an hour the words will not come. i know them not. I thought I know them, but I only know what my language ability allows me. One might think that this would encourage in me the motivation to study. But I cannot. I am burned out. Can I really justify all the hours of study with just the thought that I will be able to connect, console, and encourage those in pain around me.
Like a great bamboo grove, my Japanese friends are so close. Almost leaning on me. Almost touching, but never do.
Oh! Saka! 