| Customer: Female from Australia Program: 30-day pottery making in Seto Duration: 2013/5/20-2013/6/18 |
| Message from our customer: My “normal” life revolves around a 9 to 5 job. The only opportunity for me to spend time with clay is during the evening classes at a university owned pottery studio. I decided to join this program because I wanted to devote time to practice pottery making, and to experience what life is like in a town in Japan surrounded by others who are also passionate about ceramics. I had the pleasure to meet many ceramicists around the Akazu area and some up and coming potters from all around Aichi prefecture. In the beginning, it took some effort to learn how to wedge clay the Japanese way, centre a large amount of clay so that you can throw off the hump and working with a wheel that spins the opposite direction. Hiro-sensei and his staff were very helpful and willing to teach me despite their busy schedules. I was able to improve my skills on the wheel, slab making and hand forming. I also had the opportunity to make my own pottery tools! Aside from ceramics, I have a great interest in Japanese food and culture. With that in mind, I was able to try many different types of culinary delights ? sashimi, soba, nabe, tsukemen and many more. It tastes better when you realise that many restaurants use handmade tableware to serve their food, something that is usually reserved for high-end restaurants in Australia. Initially I was disappointed to hear that Seto city did not have any natural hot springs, but the staff at Kasen was kind enough to bring me to a public bath with spring water and 5 different types of saunas! I now understand why Japanese people have beautiful skin Hiro-sensei’s mother showed me what Japanese hospitality was all about, and I was not disappointed. She took me to the Aichi Ceramic Museum, showed me her work, her inspiration and also delicious Japanese food! The highlight of this month-long stay for me was the sake cups which I have seen and made. Every potter I have met made sake cups, and they all contained so much personality and creativity. It was interesting to see how the sake cup is used as a platform for expressing ideas in a functional medium. I would highly recommend this program for beginners to professionals who are passionate about ceramics, and would also like to have an authentic experience in Japan. If I have another chance, I would love to be able to stay more than one month, as there are so many things to learn and 30 days is just not enough. I think I have definitely brought back to Australia a bit of the “Japanese way” with me! Special Thanks to A.F |
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