I go to Pottery Class near Kiyomizudera on every Saturday from 10am to 2pm. The name of the pottery class is Zuikougam(瑞光窯). I am glad that I take the pottery class and I’ve learnt more about Japanese culture.
Except for me, all other students are middle-aged or seniors. I do not know is it because the young Japanese are not into traditional art anymore or they do not have time for the 4-hour lesson. Anyways, all the students are very friendly and helpful. I feel very much welcomed by them. But regardless of their age and gender, they are really into ceramics and they take notes so carefully when there is a seminar. Japanese people really like to take notes and organize things neatly. They also like to bring some presents such as wagashi or sweets they bought to class and share with the other classmates. I like that.
The communication part is not that easy as there are many verbs and terms that I’ve never heard before, but thankfully, this is a skill that you can learn from imitating. I’ve learnt how to use the “rokuro” to make cups and bowls, how to paint on the plates and how to put glaze on the things I made. So far I’ve been to 6 classes and I’ve made 4 plates, 6 bowls and 2 cups, thanks to the sensei’s help. I noticed the other students’ work are related to Japanese traditional art as well and I can tell they are really passionate about it. For instance, someone made a whole set for雛祭りand someone made several plates that have the painting ofアジサイon them.
I really like my pottery class and I hope if there is any chance, I could continues it in America.
Hello Shuyun,
It seems like you have started an artistic interest for a lifetime! What a great story to tell people when you’re older, “I learned ceramics in Kyoto.” ^^
I remember you showed me some of the pieces you made and they look gorgeous. For me, ceramics was always a very introspective art form that required the utmost focus and attention. What a romantic way for you to learn it for the first time in Japan’s cultural capital of all places, while studying abroad as a carefree college student too. I am very envious of your CIP! I hope to see some of those plates and bowls in real life soon.
Thank you for sharing 🙂
-Xiaolin
Hi, Xiaolin.
I know that you’ve done pottery too and I feel like this is a common topic between us! ^^
I had a great time taking pottery class and you will get to see my work in a few days haha.
– Shuyun
Hi Shuyun,
It’s very interesting to hear about the specific observations you saw at your pottery classes. What made you decide to take pottery classes for your CIP? Did you happen to have experience with pottery in America and thus decided to see how Japanese pottery worked?
When you mentioned that the artwork people make is very Japanese-influenced, did you mean in a traditional or modern sense? A lot of the times when people think of Japanese pottery they often point to “wabi” and the asymmetry and free-form it carries. What were the specific Japanese culture influences that most of the pottery students used in their works?
What better place than Kyoto to learn the art of Japanese pottery~
– April
Hi, April.
It was really because I was so attracted to the traditional art, especially ceramics. I don’t know why but I feel calm when I look at them. I love Chinese ceramics too. However, I never took any class before except for maybe one when I was like 5 years old which I don’t even remember?
I mean the artwork are influenced in a traditional way. They really like to make ceramics related to traditional things, for instance the decorations for the girl’s day or painting rabbits and sakura on their plates, etc,.
-Shuyun