Awajishima Tsurugi Kiln

Awajishima Tsurugi Kiln | Grand Mercure Awaji Island Resort & Spa [Official]

Phantom "Koga-yaki" authentic pottery experience

Under the guidance of ceramic artist Koichi Maeda, this is a pottery experience where you can make warm works.
The completed work is baked once a year by a kiln firing that is baked with firewood over 4 days in a full-fledged six-step climbing kiln. It takes a long time from experience to completion, but the excitement of getting the completed work is particularly impressive.

Awajishima Tsurugi Kiln | Grand Mercure Awaji Island Resort & Spa [Official]

Since the experience is held one by one, you can experience couples, couples, families, groups, etc. in a friendly atmosphere without hesitation.
Why don't you enjoy the time to concentrate on your fingertips and interact with the soil, and work on only one work created by the accidental weaving of people and nature?

Awajishima Tsurugi Kiln | Grand Mercure Awaji Island Resort & Spa [Official]

About pottery making experience

[Time required] 3-4 hours (from 13:30)
[Fees] 15,000 yen per work (including consumption tax) palm-sized work (cups, coffee bowls, tea bowls, etc.)
[Number of Experiences] Up to 4 people per day (more than that, consultation required)
[Delivery] The work you make is baked in a climbing kiln once a year in February.

February: Climbing kilns (4 day and night) ※You can tour
April: Work is scheduled to be completed (molding, etc. after the kiln is put out) ・ Handing over

We hope that you will come directly and hand it over from Koichi Maeda when the delivery is completed in April.
※Basically, it is handing, but home delivery (paid) is also possible.
※We can also create a makeup box (charged)

Awajishima Tsurugi Kiln | Grand Mercure Awaji Island Resort & Spa [Official]

We are working on the regeneration of "Koga", which existed for only 24 years during the Azuchi-Momoyama period, and bake it at a high temperature of 1400 degrees for 4 days and nights without using any glaze. The kiln fire, which is held once a year, takes four days to increase the temperature by putting firewood, and on the last day, a large flame burns from the kiln to a height exceeding the ceiling. It's as if passion is rising, and it's worth a look.

◆You can also visit the workshop freely and purchase works.◆

Please contact us in advance as the workshop may be absent.

Awajishima Tsurugi Kiln | Grand Mercure Awaji Island Resort & Spa [Official]

About Mr. Koichi Maeda

Born in Awajishima in 1971
While studying at university, he began researching with the late Professor Tetsuhiko Sugihara.
Along with the historical background of tea pottery and the excavation of the kiln.
1996 built a 6-step climbing kiln
Every year in 1998, we commenced kiln-fired four days and nights.
Produced and screened documentary film "DREAMS OF FIRE" by the I.p.p project in 2014.
2020 Started analysis of the works of Tsurugi Kiln as research targets at national universities.
Performed at TED in 2022
2023 Traditional Crafts x NFT Project Started
2024 Lecturer of World Youth Ship Project, Cabinet Office

It still inherits the tradition of Ko Iga, and conveys fire, soil and human techniques at Awajishima, the land where the myth of birth was the beginning. By using a six-stage climbing kiln that has been studied and baked at extremely high temperatures, the uniqueness of nature that can be revealed without using glaze and the skills of ancient people who bring it out as the best form are integrated. I would be grateful if you could pick up the work of this pottery, which has become a form.

Basic information

Address
〒656-0483
626, Shichinakashima, Minamiawaji-shi, Hyogo
Facility name
Awajishima Tsurugi Kiln
How to apply
Reservation required
Please contact us and make a reservation in advance.
Inquiry
TEL 090-7110-6987
※It's a personal cell phone. Please be careful not to make a mistake.
e-mail
k.maeda@kakurai.net
※It may take some time to respond to inquiries by e-mail. If you are in a hurry, please use the telephone.
Access
About 15 minutes by car from the hotel