2-DAY WORKSHOP
with Hiroshige Kato

March 9 – 10, 2019     10am – 4:30pm

Traditional Japanese Pottery Tool Making, Throwing Techniques and Oribe Brushwork

This two-day hands-on workshop is designed to teach the traditional pottery making techniques practiced in  the Akazu area of Seto City, Japan. On day one, Hiroshige will teach us how to make 3 tools: a shaping tool (uchigote), a size gauge (tonbo= dragonfly) and a trimming tool (kanna). He will then teach us how to use the tools to throw the same shapes and sizes of 2 – 5 bowls or cups. We will also make Inka (floral) stamps. On day two, we will learn how to create the pattern and color of traditional Oribe-ware and how to trim with the tools we made. Time permitting, we will learn how to make a coiled tea bowl. Hiroshige will provide two Japanese brushes and two Obiitas (metal blades) per person. His ceramic work will be for sale in our gallery from Feb. 20 – March 10. This workshop is designed for students with a solid foundation in wheel-throwing.

Potters have worked in the hills near Akazu for over 1000 years. Hiroshige Kato is a 14th generation pottery master. Around 1610, his family was one of only 4 families to be protected by the Shogunate from the warring state in order to make tea ceremony goods for Nagoya Castle. At that time, his family broke away to form the kiln known as “Kitagama”. Today it is the only kiln remaining from that time. In the late 1990’s Hiroshige’s father turned the family business into a very successful production line with the company name “Kasen”. Many internationally known ceramic artists have had their start at the wheel of Kasen. Over some 400 years, the family has survived major earthquakes, financial ruin and industrialization to continue hand-crafting their art. Hiroshige Kato has returned the family to its roots and his studio “Kasen Pottery”, has come full-circle to produce hand-crafted traditional pottery of the highest quality. 

WORKSHOP PRICE : $250

T.P.S. DISCOUNT: $225 (Please read below).
Current Members/Students of T.P.S. must enter 8THSTREET in the coupon field upon checkout for $25 off. Write this down or copy it to the clipboard. Please only use the discount if you qualify.

For further information, contact:  kim@berkeleypottersstudio.com
The Potters’ Studio      1221 8th Street, Berkeley, CA   94710      (510) 528-3286