Frances Palmer in Japan

We love living vicariously through our friends when they lead such interesting lives and Frances Palmer is no exception.  She recently returned from a fabulous trip to Japan where she met with master craftsmen and wandered through enchanting temple gardens.  Among her favorite visits were the Katsura Imperial Villa built in 1645 in western Kyoto, Honen-in where famous scholars are buried and Tofuku-ji, a Buddhist temple with the oldest Zen gate in Japan. 

Frances was also inspired by the many artists she visited including glassblower Naoya Arakawa at the Seikosha Glass Studio, the potter Naoto Ishi and textile designer and collector Kawasaki Kei-san of Gallery Kei who just had an exhibit of antique patchwork cloth bags used to bring rice or beans to temple ceremonies.

We hope you enjoys Frances’ travels as much as we do!

Photos by France Palmer and from Seikosha Glass Studio and Gallery Kei