I hear the northeast of Okinawa is pretty quiet, but not 'remote' in the true sense of the word. I'm a big city kid, so suburbia is already the boondocks to me!
Re: Okinawa and shiisaa
Drax, in the huge Aeon there. There's an independent tea stand there.
I hear the northeast of Okinawa is pretty quiet, but not 'remote' in the true sense of the word. I'm a big city kid, so suburbia is already the boondocks to me!
I hear the northeast of Okinawa is pretty quiet, but not 'remote' in the true sense of the word. I'm a big city kid, so suburbia is already the boondocks to me!
Re: Okinawa and shiisaa
Didn't get to the pottery village, but I did pick up lots of awamori, an awamori ichigo and three teacups. One of the cups and the ichigo are Okinawa-made by local artists and are pretty nice. I had a great time here, and I think I'll be here once a year from now on at the very least. What a great place! Now I need to learn some Japanese!
May 1st, '15, 10:40
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Re: Okinawa and shiisaa
jayinhk,
I would think that knives that you sell would be popular w/ the US troops there. If you can meet w/ officers in charge of morale, knives might be given as gifts to soldiers who complete an area of training. If you could provide engraving to say what is being awarded, "For completion of ....." it would be a big selling point."
Sometimes it is a non-commissioned officer (sargent). They have $5000 a month budgets & Amex cards to spend w/o going through hoops. They used to buy wooden plaques made in the Phillipines (which you might add to your lines).
This advice does not come free, lol, send some oolong. Cheers.
I would think that knives that you sell would be popular w/ the US troops there. If you can meet w/ officers in charge of morale, knives might be given as gifts to soldiers who complete an area of training. If you could provide engraving to say what is being awarded, "For completion of ....." it would be a big selling point."
Sometimes it is a non-commissioned officer (sargent). They have $5000 a month budgets & Amex cards to spend w/o going through hoops. They used to buy wooden plaques made in the Phillipines (which you might add to your lines).
This advice does not come free, lol, send some oolong. Cheers.
Re: Okinawa and shiisaa
Ethan,
That would be a good idea, but Japanese law is very strict on knife length. So much so that US troops here are told to leave their knives at home, and a purchase permit is required for anything with a 6" or larger blade! I'm also leaving in a few hours!
That would be a good idea, but Japanese law is very strict on knife length. So much so that US troops here are told to leave their knives at home, and a purchase permit is required for anything with a 6" or larger blade! I'm also leaving in a few hours!
Re: Okinawa and shiisaa
I was supposed to head out tomorrow, but sadly my trip has been canceled! Well, more like delayed, but I don't know to when at this point.
Either way, thanks for all the pointers....!
Well, more like delayed, but I don't know to when at this point.Either way, thanks for all the pointers....!
Re: Okinawa and shiisaa
No problem! This thread will come in handy for someone at some point, and will help me remember where to go on my next trip!
Re: Okinawa and shiisaa
At home sipping awamori from my new pot and cup. I'm so in love with Japan after this last trip 
Re: Okinawa and shiisaa
No viper in the bottle. They use large snakes, and the big jars with vipers aren't cheap! I saw some for sale at a resort.
Re: Okinawa and shiisaa
Whew, ok, I might be able to handle that. Besides, it sounds pretty cruel what they do to get them into that 'striking' death pose.
When you have a chance to try it, please let us know how it goes!
When you have a chance to try it, please let us know how it goes!
Re: Okinawa and shiisaa
Will do! I'm not into torturing animals, but I had to try it.
Had a nip of habushu before the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. It's surprisingly delicious. Sweet and herbal...really very pleasant stuff.
Also, as far as the Tsuboya pottery museum goes...That area has been a pottery hub for centuries. I didn't get to go, but some nationally-recognized artists do have workshops there, so you can get some good stuff there for sure!
Had a nip of habushu before the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. It's surprisingly delicious. Sweet and herbal...really very pleasant stuff.
Also, as far as the Tsuboya pottery museum goes...That area has been a pottery hub for centuries. I didn't get to go, but some nationally-recognized artists do have workshops there, so you can get some good stuff there for sure!
Re: Okinawa and shiisaa
Tried the two shinchas I picked up...both have notes that remind me of good Taiwanese oolong. One is fruity and floral, and the other is delicate with a hint of milk. Two very different teas.
Re: Okinawa and shiisaa
I finally made it to Okinawa, and I just got back from my trip.
I had part of a day to explore, and I made it up to the NW side of the middle of the island -- and I got to visit the Yomitan pottery village.
The potters there sold mostly plates and cups, of which I bought a couple for rice. I saw a few tea "pots." They were of the large U-shaped-bamboo-handle variety. Lots of tokkuri (sake flasks), awamori vessels, and shouyu pots, and of course lots of shiisaa (also picked up a pair of these).
Anyway, the Yomitan village had a climbing kiln, which was pretty neat to see. I posted a picture of the kiln and of one of the shops over on tumblr.
Looks like I'll have another trip coming up by the end of the year... maybe I'll have a chance to explore more down south next time.
I had part of a day to explore, and I made it up to the NW side of the middle of the island -- and I got to visit the Yomitan pottery village.
The potters there sold mostly plates and cups, of which I bought a couple for rice. I saw a few tea "pots." They were of the large U-shaped-bamboo-handle variety. Lots of tokkuri (sake flasks), awamori vessels, and shouyu pots, and of course lots of shiisaa (also picked up a pair of these).
Anyway, the Yomitan village had a climbing kiln, which was pretty neat to see. I posted a picture of the kiln and of one of the shops over on tumblr.
Looks like I'll have another trip coming up by the end of the year... maybe I'll have a chance to explore more down south next time.