Hagi-yaki Ware Making Experience at an Elementary School in Nagato Yumoto

Local Hagiyaki artist and Koishiwara Pottery's Zenzo Fukushima instructs

On Friday, June 21, 2024, a "Hagiyaki (Hagi ware) making" experience was held at Mukoyo Elementary School in Nagato Yumoto.

This is a traditional class held once a year at Koyo Elementary School. Every year, artists from the local Hagiyaki Fukagawa Kiln are invited as lecturers, and this year, Zenzo Fukushima, a living national treasure and artist from Koishiwara Pottery in Fukuoka, Japan, also participated as a special guest.

Zenzo Fukushima (Koishiwara Pottery, Chigaiwa Kiln)

In the class, the students will be "molding" to create the shape of pottery. The children made the clay into the shape they wanted.

Mr. Tohei Tahara (Hagi ware, Tahara Tohei Kiln)

Akio Kanemoto (Hagi ware, Bansekigama)

Sadatsugu Shinjo (Hagi ware, Shinjo Skeemon Kiln)

△Zen'emon Sakakura (Hagi ware, Sakakura Zen'emon Kiln)

Mr. Ikkei Sakakura (Hagi ware, Sakakura Shinbei Kiln)

(Hagi ware, Shinjo Sukeemon Kiln)

Fukushima's works were displayed in the exhibition hall, and visitors were able to view them during a break from making Hagi ware.

The class ended with a representative of the students presenting their impressions and thanking the artists.

It was a fun class that familiarized us with local traditions! We look forward to seeing you again next year.