“The Road Back to Karatsu,” print, Kyoto Journal 97

 I interviewed Kenta Nakazato, the third generation in a sub-house of a pottery family that originated in southern Japan in the 15th century. We discussed lineage, growing up at the pottery, learning the family trade, and returning to the kiln after pursuing tailoring at university.

“Inheriting 17 Generations of Tradition: speaking with Fuyuko Kobori of Kobori Enshu Ryu Tea School” print, Kyoto Journal 97

I had tea with Fuyuko Kobori the newest iemoto, grand tea master, of the school that has been in her family almost since the dawn of tea as a cultural form in the 16th century. She represents a shift in tradition as the first woman to hold the position of iemoto of any major tea school in the country.

“Citing research by the U.S.-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange, Morse warned that in 2020, over 75% of specialists in Japanese art would be at retirement age.”