I just returned home from visiting an artists studio today. We sat in the building he built over 20 years prior, surrounded by artifacts collected the world over, drinking green tea and eating cookies. He picked up some pipes from Thailand, Wooden masks from Korea, an American art-craft mug, talking about them all with similar enthusiasm. He told me that after he worked in America in his twenties, he had a job working for a team designing Disneyland, but left his design career to follow his true calling: That of an artist.

Since coming to Japan, I realise the greater importance of appreciating the variety the world has to offer, and Japan is no exception. I came here with an arts background, and with a particular interest in the idea of 'folk art', or 'Mingei' as the term was coined by Yanagi Soetsu last century.

Japan is a country with a marvelous ceramic heritage, but I am not sure if many people are really aware of this! From the medieval pottery centres such as Shigaraki and Tanba (in Shiga ken and Kyoto fu, respectively), to the different styles and techniques imported by Korean 'slave' potters, to the development by a continuation and adjustment of tradition as well by a series of individual designers. Nowhere in the world do I feel is there such a rich variety of ceramics as there is in Japan.

On fist arriving in Japan, this was apparent to me in the way and containers used for the display of food: Food isn't simply placed on one plate and given to you as it is in my home country. It seems to be more considered, whether that be as a result of individual input or as an inherited tradition. I'm sure the thought and preparation that is put into a 'high class' tea ceremony would amaze most people.

This is not a tradition which I know much about, but one that is truly Japanese. It is a history that Japan should be proud to have. (On the other hand, lets not forget the ugly and prolific use of concrete which we see in our everyday lives as well! I don't want to paint an entirely rosy picture of my experiences!)

Living in a world which is at times difficult to understand, the visual, aesthetic beauty that surrounds us has the power bridge cultural barriers and comfort us. I feel that the arts can cross these cultural barriers, as we can look and respond directly to them. It is not necessary to be fluent in any language, but to respond to the world with the senses we all share. This, at least, has been my experience, as someone with a passion and interest in the visual world.

It is an ambition of mine, after I finish my current job, to have the opportunity to respond to all these experiences, by producing some work of my own in Japan. I know for sure that in this way, Japan has made a deep and lasting impact on me.