ASAHIYAKI Pottery Class

Take a trip to the foot of Asahiyama just across the Uji River from Byodoin Temple. Here you’ll find the legendary pottery kiln born of traditions set out by Sen no Rikyu, the figure known for first establishing tea ceremony. The kiln was then favored by tea master Kobori Enshu during the late Momoyama to early Edo period. Step up to the home of this age-old kiln, counted among the "Enshu Seven Kilns" and see the result of 400 years of tradition passed down across 16 generations to today.

The kiln primarily creates wares for tea ceremony and sencha. See the historic methods for yourself with a firsthand pottery experience, making a piece of your own in one day using three different courses, all utilizing Uji clay. The "Electric Pottery Wheel Experience" allows free creation of tea bowls, teacups, or flower vases using an electric wheel. The "Hand-building Experience" uses molds, making it easy for beginners to craft tea bowls or mugs. For those less confident in pottery making, the "Painting Experience" involves adding designs or letters to pre-made pieces.

Finished pieces are fired by the staff and delivered in about two months, with international shipping available via EMS. For those interested in a more in-depth pottery learning experience, a "Free Class" with a high degree of freedom is also available. Reservations for any course should be made at least a month in advance, with day-of registration available at the attached shop and gallery.