Beer Mug Rankai 2010 7.April-9.April

I went to Sapporo as I had been invited to be on the jury panel for The 8th Beer Mug Rankai . This trip began with a surprise when ANA in-flight service was suspended and I couldn't even find coffee on the menu. I arrived at Chitose Airport and went directly to the Jury Meeting Hall at Sapporo Artpark t in the snow. The setting was a beautiful place full of outdoor sculptures. When I went into the hall, there were over 800 mugs and tumblers lined up. Isn't this a difficult to judge? I had hoped that if I finished judging early, I could visit Moerenuma Park , designed by Isamu Noguchi, but there was no way.

on the first day of judging we selected outstanding works, and on the second day created the list of finalists. The judging process was done smoothly. I thought that a lacquer work and another using marquetry (wood inlay) were beautiful, but I had to wonder about the aesthetics of beer being poured into these vessels...

Glass and coloured materials give the beer froth a fascinating, awesome effect. I really did my best because each jury member was required to give a Juror's Award. The judges report will be available on the Beer Mug Rankai website, so please take a look at it.

Asahara Chiyoji is a famous glass artist who is the Chief Judge and initially proposed this competition. I had previously met him as a Judge of the Itami Craft Competition. Sometimes after that I met him at his exhibitions, but that's all. This time, he talked about when he established the glass studio in Otaru while we dined on Chitose Zuru (sake) and Ezo Shika Ruibe (frozen sashimi). We had a good time. I went around Chitose Airport looking for souvenirs; it was full of sweets and I did some taste-testing until I was too full. I had heard about Machimura Farm Milk from the taxi driver and bought some, as well as some salmon jerky for my daughter, who likes to drink. Sapporo is a great town.