“Come to my village, build yourself a house, a studio and kiln, find your way”.

        These were the words spoken by Kabumoto Nobuo, my patron to be. And this was the offer he made; to come and live under his auspices in the fishing village of Hamasaka on the Japan Sea Coast. For me, it was as if I had fallen down the rabbit hole into an enchanted land, and I was offered a charmed life as if from some Japanese historical novel. But it did not stay this way for long. I would be in for a rude awakening.

Introduction

        This is the personal story of the bond between artist and patron , a convoluted relationship that challenges western perception and understanding. It began on the Japan Sea Coast in 1974 and has evolved, and developed over the years. It has become a living saga that continues today, some 40 years later.

        Besides being a ceramic artist, I have become somewhat of a story teller and have chosen to write in the manner that I tell stories. The compelling narrative account of this artist/patron relationship is the backbone of the book, but it is intertwined with poignant vignettes and anecdotes that help the reader to understand the ensuing situation as it unfolds. The book spans the time period leading up to the relationship as well as the aftermath and up to the present. It is compelling because it transcends the delineation of east and west. And yet it speaks to the notion of societal distinctiveness and offers those who have not had the opportunity to spend time in a foreign culture such as Japan to viscerally live through the experience.