Twenty-six ceramic pieces were placed on a shelf just below the ceiling.
Perhaps it was because only about ten days had passed since the US presidential election. A jumble of complex thoughts raced through my mind, one after another. Questions arose such as: How much is a reasonable amount to spend on food during an overseas business trip? How much should one raise their voice to pronounce ‘Chinese Pinyin’ efficiently? What kind of water is used in Chinese beer factories? Looking at the colorful array of ceramics, my thoughts led me to wonder: “What processes were involved in the technical development and security management of potters in pre- and modern history?” From mixing the clay and etching patterns to laminating to solidify the form and even coating the surface to protect it, my thoughts sank deeper and deeper. If we were to liken a cocktail to a production process, was the bottleneck procurement or assembly?
It was a kind of jazz bar and piano performance. Something that allowed me to swim through the cave within my mind with utmost comfort. The gentle conversation, the exclusion of digital elements, and the distinctly Chinese atmosphere brought a comfortable conclusion to this business trip. It feels a bit awkward to put it this way, but ‘considering the handicap of China, it was very good.’
No, it was just good.