Today I went out to see a friend to have lunch and attend the Kanazawa Exhibition that we can enjoy looking around Kutani tableware and food from the region. Every year the exhibition is held at Hankyu Department Store, and my friend and I always look forward to it.

Two years ago, the region was hit by a major earthquake and the exhibition was scaled down because many artists and companies that had planted to attend the exhibit were affected. Last year, some of them still hadn't come back, so we were worried about this year's event.

After enjoying lunch, we headed to the venue.

Hanky Department Store is one of the largest departments in Osaka, but since Chinese sanctions, I thought there were less customers. The exhibit is usually very popular, and it's usually difficult to see well because of many people. The food sections are especially crowded. Without waiting in a long line, we could buy some sweets, but I don't think this is good for the department store. We looked for booths selling white porcelain pieces, but we saw only two. I was very shocked. This year's event was the smallest I've ever seen.

Even so, we talked to the artists, and one of them gave us his business cards.

We saw a mascot named Hyakuman-san.

After that, we stopped at a cafe and enjoyed anmitsu ( Japanese dessert). While eating, we made a plan to visit the artist's atelier to buy some pieces. I'm excited to go there again because I used to learn one of the Japanese traditional techniques in porcelain painting in the region before coming back to the Kansai region. We're planning to go there in the spring.

I bought these in the picture below there: two different kinds of Japanese sweets and a wooden stand for my flower vase.

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