Awajishima Tsurugi kiln

Authentic "Kogayaki" 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 fired with firewood over four days in a full-fledged six-stage climbing kiln. It takes time from the experience to the completion, but therefore the excitement when you get the completed work is exceptional.

Since it is a group of hands-on experiences, 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 touch the soil, and work on a single work that can be created by the accidental weaving of people and nature?

About pottery experience

[Time required] 3-4 hours (from 13:30)
【Price】 One piece 15,000 yen (including consumption tax) palm-sized pieces (cups, coffee bowls, tea bowls, etc.)
Number of Experiences Up to 4 people per day (more than one consultation required)
[About delivery] The work we make is baked in a climbing kiln once a year in February.

February: Kiln burning of climbing kilns (4 day and night) ※Visitable
April: Completion of the work (forming after the kiln is put out) and handing over

We hope that you will come directly and give it to Mr. Koichi Maeda for delivery in April.
※Basically, it is handed, but home delivery service (pay) is also possible.
※We also accept the creation of makeup boxes (charged)

We are working on the regeneration of "Koga", which existed for only 24 years in the Azuchi-Momoyama period, and burn it at a high temperature of 1400 degrees over four days and nights without using any glaze. The kiln firing, which is held once a year, raises the temperature by putting firewood over four days, and on the last day, a large flame burns from the kiln to a height above the ceiling. It’s like a passion, and it’s worth a look.

◆Free tour of the workshop and purchase of works are also possible.◆

The workshop may be absent, so please contact us in advance when you come.

About Mr. Koichi Maeda

Born in Awajishima in 1971
While at university, he began researching with the late Professor Tetsuhiko Sugihara.
Along with the historical background of tea pottery and excavation of kilns.
1996: Construction of a 6-stage climbing kiln
1998: Every year, four-day and night kiln firing began.
2014 Documentary film "DREAMS OF FIRE" produced and screened by the I.p.p project
2020: Started analyzing the works of Tsurugi Kiln as research subjects at national universities
2022 TED appearance
2023 Start of Traditional Crafts × NFT Project
2024 Lecturer of the World Youth Ship Project, Cabinet Office

We still inherit the tradition of Ko Iga and convey fire, soil and human skills in Awajishima, where the country's birth myth began. By using a six-stage climbing kiln that has been studied and baked at an extremely high temperature, the uniqueness of nature that can be revealed without using glaze and the techniques of ancient people to bring out it as the best form I would be grateful if you could get the work of this potter.