Arigato

Longtime UNS Member, Sharon Meyers, is currently studying ceramics in Japan for several months. This is a glimpse into her world and journey.

Konichjwa!

How often do we extend the courtesies of “please” and “thank you” to one another? Kyotoites are known to be the most polite in Japan, while I have found the same thoughtful interactions through both field trips and my own explorations in Arashiyama, Osaka, Otsu, Naoshima Island, Shirakawago, Takayama and Uji.

I reflect on how often I likewise offer arigato/ thank you here. It is so consistent as to have become a habit, along with bowing when greeting and leaving every place I go. Arigato is immersed in both my waking and dreaming state. We all could use a bit of the gentility I experience here, as arigato simply extends respect as a cornerstone of a polite society that values each transaction and each other.

When son Ryan visited me in Kyoto for his birthday, we took the bus one morning to one of my favorite markets at Toji Temple. As the drivers were changing shift I asked Ryan to note the transition with a knowing smile: The current driver stepped out from behind the wheel, faced us all, bowed and thanked us for taking the bus (in Japanese, English and Chinese). The next driver did the same, then got behind the wheel and started the bus once more. As per custom, when each passenger pays the driver upon leaving, the driver thanks the customer saying, “arigato.”

This arigato way of life has become my way of life. I am more consciously and consistently thankful for all – the many mentors of this program of study; those who have shared their time and their culinary arts; expanses of quiet meditation in nature, temples and shrines; neighborly niceties on my street. This transformative journey has left me with consideration of “Who am I being?” beyond “What am I doing, what am I producing?”

The “beingness” of this experience has informed what I hope is a kinder, gentler version of me, and with confidence and competence to face unknown challenges ahead. Yes, my eyes have been opened widely, while my heart even more so. I hope these newsletters have planted the seed of a narrative of future possibilities for each of you who have taken your time to read them.

In the style of Japanese respect, thanking another for the kindness shown is given through the words arigato gozaimashita/ thank you for all.

Arigato gozaimashita,
Sharon

• Murakami's White Tiger guardian of Kyoto, Kyocera Museum.
• Buddha amidst spring plum blossoms.
• Carpet of moss, Saihō-ji (Koke-dera) temple.
• “Make your own handrolls,” new Kyoto dining concept.
• Venturing inside Kanjiro's climbing kiln.
• Vintage chrysanthemums, the Imperial flower.
• Winterscape display of matcha cakes, Arashiyama.
• Sensei master work of my admiration.
• Morning route to my studio along the Kamakura River.
• Trio of matcha tea ware-three glazes, clays and approaches.
• Matcha rolled bamboo charcoal cake, a local Arashiyama specialty, considered medicinal.
• Graphic manhole cover, Otsu.
• Shrine en-route to mountain Okunoin Temple.
• Classically serene Heian Botanic Garden.
• Snow, lots of snow, Shirakawago.
• Morning mountain hike with Ryan, Mount Ogura.

Note: Please see the attachment below to open the recipe from this week's garden chat with Sharon.