Immerse into the Shigaraki-yaki legacy of muted masterpieces in a tour of a 4th-generation master artisan's kiln and studio

Details

Private experience
Location: Koka City, Shiga
1.5 hours
10 people max. Minimum 2 people required. Solo guest may book at the price of 2 participants
Offered in Japanese, with friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in English
(French/German/Spanish interpretation may be available upon request)

Earth-toned Elegance

Rustic texture, earthy tones, and locally sourced clay define the Shigaraki pottery style, which has graced a range of residences, from noble tea masters to everyday citizens. Organic, elegant, and embracing the natural colors of the clay, Shigaraki-yaki is emblematic of not only the Shiga region, but also of wabi-sabi philosophies that stress beauty in humble simplicity and use. A belief beloved by tea practitioners, the subdued grace of Shigaraki pottery led to its frequent implementation in tea ceremonies, and even today countless pottery artisans still focus on crafting remarkable ceramic tea utensils in their kilns. The legacy of Shigaraki-yaki lives on at the studio of this 4th-generation pottery master. Each piece of pottery he creates is imbued with a lively warmth, stemming both from the innate properties of the clay used and the wood-firing production techniques, resulting in pottery that is gritty but graceful, subtle yet sophisticated. Visit his authentic nobori-gama climbing kiln where he fires each masterpiece and observe the preservation of pottery heritage up-close in his studio and gallery, to truly immerse into this timeless craft.

What you’ll do

Visit the kiln of a 4th-generation Shigaraki-yaki master. Learn more about the history and production techniques of this ancient artform. View an authentic climbing kiln and see the work of the master in the gallery.