We did have a day away from the indigo vats and the farm when we travelled towards Fuji-san and might have got a better view had it not been for the very low clouds. Never mind, there were other treats:
The quiet, mediative, misty atmosphere of the Climbers' Shrine
Where we saw a young boy being taken for his first blessing
A visit to a potter, Kiso-san
and to a glass studio
and finally, a visit to Itchiku Kubota's Art Museum
Photography was not permitted inside but you can enjoy some of his kimono here and a website about the museum in English here.
Last week I caught up with family, including my lovely GS Sam who stayed with us at the bach for the weekend and enjoyed lots of bus rides and was an absolute star. We had a lovely experience in the local cafe when another customer came over to us and said how watching and listening to Sam over lunch had made his day and how he would never forget it and how wonderful he is. Wow, we know he's wonderful but we are just a little biased! It's so nice when someone takes the trouble to tell us things like that.
Tomorrow I am off to Country Roads Quilters. I have to admit that I have no idea what I'll be doing. Other than a piece of pre-printed sashiko which I'm finding great for getting a good rhythm in my stitching (thank you Carin) I haven't done any stitching since I've been back from Japan. I'm still trying to organise my creative thoughts. I'll take various things with me and see how the mood takes me. Have a good week whatever you're doing and I'll share some more of the Japanese Textile Study Tour before I jet off again, this time to Malta with DH for two weeks of complete R&R and, hopefully, sunshine.
