Nov 30, 2009

Nov 23, 2009

About Aoi Miyazaki


Aoi Miyazaki (宮崎あおい)is one of Japan's most valuable actresses today.


Aoi played the lead role in the Taiga drama (NHK's annual year long drama series) "Atsuhime (Princess Atsu)". She was the youngest actor ever to play the lead in this prestigious series, and won the Galaxy award that year.








With Eita


Incidentally, Eita played Ryutaro in another popular drama "NODAME CANTABILE"




Also in "Atsuhime" - Yukiyoshi Ozawa
His last name sound familiar?




This is his dad!





Aoi is also noted for her performance in the movie "Nana"


And in "Virgin Snow" with Lee Jun Ki


This one's for you, gosijo! The cast of LAST FRIENDS^^

Nov 16, 2009

Pinky Ring Meets Cheon Han-Bong Sonsen-nim

Wuri Pinky Ring made another journey to Korea!

This time, she visited Mungyeong,Gyeongsangbuk-do to meet Cheon Han Bong sonsen-nim, the famous ceramist BYJ introduced in his book.



Here is a brief introduction of the great artist:

"Master Cheon Han Bong was born at Tokyo, Japan in 1933 and entered into private Yo in Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do after coming back to Korea in 1948. And he established Mungyeong Yo in 1972. Currently, he is honorary professor in the department of pottery & enamel in Mungyeong University.
He is the artist who secures the 1st Maksabal of Chosun Dynasty. The great master of Korean Ceramics, Cheon Han Bong is artist who has put all his efforts on making teacup through whole life.

He inherited the vein of traditional ceramics of the old Korea is a master of Korean Ceramics, and followed the stem of teacup with the name of ‘artist who revives Maksabal’. He contains nature as it is by collecting and using natural material such as soil, firewood and enamel etc. and is famous in foreign countries too. He is an artist who shined in Korean earthenware history."

(source: Mungyeong City Website)

Sonsen-nim had just gone through a leg surgery at the time he participated in BYJ's press conference. Although he still goes to the hospital for treatment, he is well, and continues to work vigorously.

Let us hope that the cold weather will not affect his health.


By car, it took me (Pinky Ring) a little over 3 hours from Seoul to Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Sonsen-nim's climbing kilns.



Sonsen-nim's western style home!


Looking over the certificates he had been awarded.

He showed me around the famous exhibit room on the second floor.

Numerous certificates, decorations, and works were layed all over the room.

Sonsen-nim proudly showing the certificate and medal of The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays he was awarded by the Japanese government on Nov.3, 2008.

His beautiful smile.

The works in the exhibit room.


A masterpiece incised with a hedge pattern.
I had lunch at this diner in the city.


Ordered this on the menu.


Their specialty. Pasta made of acorns!


Many namuls.
What's this?! I found this after I finished eating!!

BYJ-ssi was here tooヽ(^-^ )/

You've got to be kidding~♡

This was a famous restaurant - autographs of many celebrities were displayed.

BYJ used his usual photo...


He sat here!

Because I was very busy during this trip, this was practically the only time I had a decent meal. I was lucky to enjoy a delicious local cuisine.

Experiencing a wonderful cultural exchange through ceramics ...

Cheon Han Bong sonsen-nim was so friendly that I was taken aback.

He was gentleman of a different character from Jun Yong Bok sonsen-nim.

Having met these two masters of art, I was truly impressed by their greatness.

Thank you BYJ, for rewarding me with such wonderful encounters.

And thank you Pinky Ring-san for sharing your precius experiences with us!