2.  If asked to think of one Japanese food, what comes to your mind?  Sushi, raw fish, tempura, tofu?  With Japanese restaurants and Sushi bars popping all over the world these days, Japanese food is no longer considered as one of the world's unsolved mysteries it once was.  In fact, more people are recognizing Japanese food as one of the world's healthiest cuisines.  With rice and abundant marine products at it's mainstream, the traditional Japanese diet is impressively low in cholesterol, fat, and calories, and high in fiber.

3.  Before actually eating the food, you must enjoy it with the "eyes" first. Eyes are as large as the stomach. That, is the Japanese way of dining.  In Japan, food and dishes are considered to be a type of art. Although there are no marveling sessions held before the eating, the Japanese people really enjoy the artistic sense and beauty of the display and arrangement of the food and the choice of receptacles for serving it. http://asiarecipe.com/japeathistory.html

4. Requirements:  Your plates will be functional works of art  You will make between 4 and 6 pieces, depending on size and difficulty  You will only have 5 days to complete the set  Edges must be higher than the center of the plate  100 point project

5. Up for a challenge? Try making a set of matching shaped dishes that will be glazed to match.

6. Keeping it simple? Try perfecting your form – keep the edges very smooth, make the length of the edges match each other, get a gentle curve up that is the same heigth on all sides.

7. Play with textures Play with edge treatments

11. Edges can be lifted to a higher level than the plate by joining decorative elements, rather than just shaping

12. Matching sets should be easy to spot

15. Get Creative This Artist’s Paint Palette shape is interesting and fun, and still works as a sushi plate with its gently raised edges around the outside and the ‘thumb’ hole in the middle.

16.  Brainstorm (Aim High)  Thumbnail sketch (Make a Plan)  Wedge clay (Get Ready)  Create! (Go On)