Charcoal Jar

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
  • At Chiiori in Iya Valley, we look at a sumikeshi-tsubo ("charcoal quenching jar").
    Alex Kerr
    Conversations about East Asian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Tibetan, Vietnamese, Burmese, Khmer, Lao, and Thai art
    Books in English:
    Lost Japan www.amazon.com/dp/0141979747
    Finding the Heart Sutra www.amazon.com/dp/0241468450
    Another Kyoto www.amazon.com/dp/B07B8D4H4P
    Another Bangkok www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B08MVPJLNV
    Living in Japan www.amazon.com/dp/3836566311
    Books in Japanese:
    『ニッポン巡礼』 www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4087211460
    『もう一つの京都』 www.amazon.co.jp/dp/441816510X
    『ニッポン景観論』 www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00R3U0XTI
    『美しき日本の残像』 www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4022642408

ความคิดเห็น • 44

  • @donovanreimer2324
    @donovanreimer2324 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Oh I’ve finally found Kerr in TH-cam. Thank you for such a delicate and skillful presentation. Not disappointed.
    Enjoyed your book Lost in Japan years ago and now eagerly awaiting the Another Kyoto. Making day trips there as often as I can, your book will greatly enhance this secret passion of mine.
    I’ll also slowly watch all your videos here with much enthusiasm.
    Thank you for all your work sir.

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you. It's been a while since I uploaded a video, but I hope to get back to it soon.

  • @MultiPm1990
    @MultiPm1990 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    what a story you are a legend for me

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you! I've stopped doing Secrets of Things for several months, but you inspire me to start doing it again.

  • @okitasan
    @okitasan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I think this is my favorite episode so far! And it was nice to see Chiiori.

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you. It's always a joy to be back in Iya.

  • @olgapawlak2197
    @olgapawlak2197 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I really love your books and videos. From the way you speak about things and describe them you can feel the sense of warmth and affection towards history and Japanese culture. That’s really inspiring! Also, this house looks co cozy, spending time there must be a wonderful experience❤️

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you. Chiiori really is unique. I was just there a few days ago (when we filmed this episode), and the house, and the mists in the hills, never fail to inspire me with their magic..

  • @dimadenis6575
    @dimadenis6575 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    👍👍👍👍👍

  • @OysterPir8
    @OysterPir8 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    ITHINKIVEFOUNDANEWFAVORITECHANNEL!!! Subscribed!!!

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you. I'm sorry that I've been busy and haven't done any "Secrets of Things" episodes for many months. You inspire me to get back to it!

  • @Tony-1950
    @Tony-1950 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • @alraisenavecesdario1744
    @alraisenavecesdario1744 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Pardon my ignorance, but are higanbanas really suitable for sumibana or ikebana in general? Or did you just deviate from the norm and made the art flourish in new directions? I'm just curious because of the connotations of the flower.

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  ปีที่แล้ว

      A lot of Japanese feel nervous about using Higanbana for flower arrangements because of the name Higan, which means "the other shore", a term used in Buddhist to mean the afterlife. Actually Higanbana is just a nickname, due to the fact that it blooms at the Equinox, which is also called Higan. So they've mixed up the two meanings of Higan. In any case, the real name of this flower is Manjushage. I use it regardless because it's simply splendid. "What's in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet".

  • @ghislardodifratta2458
    @ghislardodifratta2458 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you very much. I don't know why, but Japanese antique objects are like alive with a soul. I have seen charcoal used as plaster in the garden. It would be interesting to know if it has a special meaning. Thanks again, looking forward for your next video.

  • @dm-do7qz
    @dm-do7qz 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks. Wonderful. I hope to hear about many more "secrets of things". How about yatate at some point?

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you. Yatate is an interesting idea, but I don't have any! So far my approach has been only to talk about objects belonging to me in my near surroundings. But there's also a "karma of things". The way it works is that no sooner have you mentioned yatate, then one will enter my life. Let's wait and see.

  • @sweet_sanguine
    @sweet_sanguine ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Found you through Tokyo Llama and just fell in love with your restoration work 🥰

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you!

  • @ubadtmar7835
    @ubadtmar7835 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    👍🏼👍🏼 I read your two books, 'Lost Japan' 'Another Kyoto'. Enlightening and mind opening. If i am not mistaken, you mentioned about this house in your book 'Lost Japan'. Is this the same traditional house?

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you. Yes, Chiiori is the house in Lost Japan.

  • @tsuchinoko3
    @tsuchinoko3 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    The sound of the charcoal is very soothing. The charcoal is beautiful

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thank you. I think sitting around the irori takes us back to our prehistoric ancestors sitting around a fire.

  • @gentlemaninjapan
    @gentlemaninjapan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thank you Alex for another beautiful video. The sumibana I found particularly fascinating, I had never come across it before so will have to look for some charcoal and try it myself. The owner of the ryokan I work for is a nagairebana master and he has considerable distaste for kenzan as he feels it causes unnecessary damage and distress to the flowers. He has his own more natural methods of keeps flowers in position when using wider necked vessels.

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Ever since Kawase taught me sumibana, I've never used kenzan again. The one in the video I had to go out and buy for demonstration purposes. Sumibana is a pleasure and a challenge for the reason that the sumi has its own say, and it doesn't go as planned.

    • @gentlemaninjapan
      @gentlemaninjapan 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@alexakerr1 I can't say I have ever seen them for sale in my town before, which kind of shop would stock them?
      Sumibana really appeals to me precisely because of the interaction between sumi and flower and how they are in control. As a beginner in nageirebana I find it hard to build confidence because I am always second guessing myself.

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@gentlemaninjapan I don't think you'll ever see this kind of sumi in a shop. But you can get it from Rakuten or Amazon. They might be called 切炭 (kirizumi), or 丸炭 (marusumi). In tea ceremony they might be called 風炉用炭 (furo-yo sumi); the name for the bigger ones used in tea ceremony is 丸毬打 (maru gitcho). The beautiful ones are called generically 菊炭 (kiku-sumi, "chrysanthemum sumi"). For reference, here are some rakuten links, but you could also do a search on amazon. item.rakuten.co.jp/papyrus-two/275000253000/ ,item.rakuten.co.jp/bokotan/10000034/ , item.rakuten.co.jp/jubishi/10002211/ ,

    • @gentlemaninjapan
      @gentlemaninjapan 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@alexakerr1 Thank you, that is extremely helpful!

  • @drawnow9278
    @drawnow9278 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Wow

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you.

  • @JapanMonAmourTheJapanHouse
    @JapanMonAmourTheJapanHouse 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    and................charcoal for digestive problems and to treat poisoning by mouth............usefull stuff really.
    The Welsh writer C.W. Nichol who lived in Nagano in the Japanese Alps and who recently sadly passed away employed a specialist charcoal burner to make charcoal on his land.

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Iya used to have dozens of charcoal kilns. I'd love to revive that some day.

  • @musubi.angelo
    @musubi.angelo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Nice mood, nice informations :)

  • @vaytarot8165
    @vaytarot8165 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Beautiful. It is simple grace, warm, and beautiful. Specially with the set up in Shiiori. I wish to be there one day in the not-so-distance future.

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you. I hope you can visit Chiiori some day.

  • @peetsnort
    @peetsnort ปีที่แล้ว

    Here's my gaigin version
    th-cam.com/users/shortsft-1ygcbJj4?feature=share

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  ปีที่แล้ว

      Updated for our modern times.

    • @peetsnort
      @peetsnort ปีที่แล้ว

      @@alexakerr1 I spend a lot of time with my charcoal and experiment with the Khantal wire and stainless Steel.
      I am just trying to get down to earth. Sustainable energy and the appreciation of the natural resources.
      I have a lovely fossil of a knotty tree with the bark and worm holes in my lounge. Apparently its worth a fortune. I may donate it to the Japanese embassy in London one day

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  ปีที่แล้ว

      @@peetsnort It's all about trying to get back to the earth.

  • @oliverdunskus8859
    @oliverdunskus8859 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Beautiful film, Alex, we can see the passion in your face while you explain.

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Thank you. Maybe being in Chiiori brings that out.

  • @saasaasaa474
    @saasaasaa474 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love this EP, make me learn more about the charming of charcoal and how Japanese value it.

    • @alexakerr1
      @alexakerr1  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Charcoal is a beautifu thing.