Tombai walls outside the home of Hitachi Tsuji 常陸 辻 15th generation ceramic master, Arita, Saga Prefecture, Japan.

Tombai walls were built with bricks from dismantled kilns. Behind one such wall in Arita is the home of Hitachi Tsuji.

Hitachi Tsuji 常陸 辻 15th generation ceramic master, Arita, Saga Prefecture, Japan.

Tsuji-san is a 15th generation ceramic master, and creates porcelain that graces the tables of the Japanese imperial family.

Tennengosu (cobalt stones) held by Hitachi Tsuji 常陸 辻 15th generation ceramic master, Arita, Saga Prefecture, Japan.

Blue and white porcelain is made by applying an blue underglaze of cobalt to white porcelain and then a clear glaze.

Porcelain by Hitachi Tsuji 常陸 辻 15th generation ceramic master, Arita, Saga Prefecture, Japan.

Prices range from several million to a few thousand yen. There are times when I wish I could take my dog with me when I’m on assignment. This was not one of them.  The wagging tail of a labrador, would probably do more damage than a proverbial bull.

Hitachi Tsuji 常陸 辻 Sake cup at the Arita Ceramics Fair, Arita, Japan