| Customer: Female from Peru Program: 30-day pottery making in Seto Duration: 2013/6/19-2013/7/18 |
| Message from our customer: I had the pleasure of staying 30 days in Seto, learning and practicing pottery at Kitagama Kasen. It was a wonderful experience for me! I decided one year ago, after getting my plastic arts license at university, that I wanted to specialize in ceramics, since then I had been learning the different techniques of hand building and 2 month before coming to Japan I started to learn the wheel, but only once or twice a week, so I was really happy at Kasen because I could touch clay and practice the wheel every day for several hours. There was always somebody around to ask questions, show me techniques and help me improve my skills! The nice working atmosphere at the studio really helps you focus and enjoy pottery making. It was a great opportunity for me to learn the japanese ways of working clay, now I have incorporated some of this techniques to the western ones I had acquired before in France, and I feel this gives me a wider range of possibilities to create ceramic pieces. I also had the opportunity to see and learn about Seto’s traditional glazes and to brush paint my pieces! Sensei(the pottery master) is very patient and is always willing to make demonstrations on how to make different shapes with the wheel, and it was a real pleasure to see him in action, he inspired me very much in my road to becoming a potter. He was kind enough to take me to meet other potters’ studios and to the public bath house witch I enjoyed so much! His apprentices, Kaori and Kuni, were also very helpful and always nice and they took good care of me in my stay. Taking me to meet other young potters of the Akazu area, bowling and vintage-clothes shopping! Kaori even took me to a tea ceremony to see and taste this delicious tradition! Sensei’s mother was extremely kind with me and treated me like a grand-daughter, she often offered to take me grocery shopping with her, and also took me to find Matcha tea supplies to bring back home! She really made me feel at home! Everyday was a happy day at Kasen, with nice music and lovely tea breaks where we would enjoy Japanese tea and sweets and talk about our cultures. This cultural exchange was very interesting for me, I got to see how Japanese people live and work, as well as how they eat! Every one chose one day to prepare a special dinner or lunch, preparing a traditional meal, it was so delicious! And I really enjoyed making Peruvian food for them!! I highly recommend this program for anyone who wants to learn about japanese culture and is passioned about ceramics. It is a good place to improve your skills while enjoying a peaceful Japanese lifestyle. Thank you everyone, I will never forget this experience! |
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