Participant from New Zealand
Program: 30-day Pottery Making in Seto ? With Guidance
Start date: 5th July 2024
Message:
I have just completed my 30 day stay at Kasen studio July – August 2024.
I loved my stay here. I was looking for a full immersive style course that provided both pottery and accommodation. The town of Seto is historically of huge importance in Japanese ceramics and Kasen studio has been going since the 1600s. I felt privileged to be immersed in a studio with so much history .All the small side streets around the studio have old ceramics, studios and abandoned studios. At times I felt like I was living in a movie set.
The studio working space is spacious and you have your own wheel and area. You get the opportunity to spend as many hours on the wheel as you like 6 days a week. I definitely got better. In Japan they use the wheel clockwise and everything is taught that way. You also learn to throw off the hump as that is the traditional way. Sensei is very giving with his knowledge and patience and has a great sense of humour. It is rumoured he likes Karaoke too!! While I was at Kasen we had an apprentice Julien who was super helpful and patient as well.
Seto is a small town, easy to get around, has great coffee roasters, restaurants, and the supermarket has plenty of ready made meals or food you can cook at Kasen. Google translate is definitely your friend in the supermarket if you have limited or no Japanese.
The month went incredibly fast. Thanks to Sensei for his generosity of time and letting us into his work and home.