During his walks through Japan, Steven Newman was presented with dozens of pieces of locally-made artifacts. Some--such as the antique wine goblets and the glazed gold-decorated bowls--have a high monetary value and were gifts from venerable corporations and wealthy businessmen. Others--such as the painted wedding figurines--have more value as a novelty than as any kind of collectable. Whatever their value, however, all the items serve as beautiful and fascinating reminders of how the Japanese artisan places tremendous importance on using nature and expressing history in their works.