The Kusanokashira Kiln Pottery Retreat Ceramic Art Programme is a programme to learn how to make ceramics at the Kusanokashira Kiln, organised by Sokei Aoyama, holder of the Tajimi City Intangible Cultural Asset, and his son, Kensuke, 1st potter and painter.
AI synthesized greeting by Sokei Aoyama
​The programme includes a large wood-fired anagama, a gas kiln for flexible firing, a microcomputer-controlled electric kiln, a small wood-fired kiln with gas, and an electric kiln.

​The studio owner's spirit of exploration has led them to arrange a variety of kilns, including a small wood-fired kiln that can be used in combination with gas.

You will be taught the craft of pottery, including firing, and you will even be able to fire your own pieces. We are confident that your desire to create and learn will be fulfilled.

In between pottery making, we will take you to ceramic museums in the area so you can reproduce old pieces you find there. In your free time, you can rent a car or take the train to the world cultural heritage village of Shirakawa-go, Gero city with its hot springs, or Nagano prefecture, famous for its natural beauty, cultural gems, and snow monkeys. You are free to take holidays during your stay, but please contact us in advance to discuss your plans.
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Frog - painting by Reizo Aoyama, Tajimi, Gifu, Japan
Frog - detail from porcelain painting by Reizo Aoyama
Kiln master
Soukei Aoyama

Traditional craftsman with national certification. Representative of the Kusanokashiragama Kiln. Shirotenmoku teabowl maestro, Tajimi City Intangible Cultural Asset Holder. Mr. Aoyama is a specialist in Japanese pottery, with a particular emphasis on the Muromachi and Azuchi-Momoyama periods. Effectively reengineered the production technique of the mediaeval Shiro-tenmoku tea bowl. Responsible for instructing students on the use of the potter's wheel and the art of creating matcha bowls.
3D model of Shiro tenmoku by Soukei Aoyama.  Press Alt/Option and move mouse to move the light.

Medieval Shiro Tenmoku style tea bowl by MimirLLC on Sketchfab

​1st potter
Kensuke Aoyama
Traditional craftsman with national certification. In charge of Ko-sometsuke (‘old blue and white’) porcelain painting, potter's wheel (rokuro) instruction, as well as student care and support.
3D model of Sometstuke tea pot by Kensuke Aoyama. Press Alt/Option and move mouse to move the light.

桜図藤蔓急須 (Sometsuke Kyūsu Tea Pot) by MimirLLC on Sketchfab

360 degree image of the Kusanokashiragama workshop.

The Artisans

Kensuke Aoyama
Third generation
Sokei Aoyama
Second generation
Reizo Aoyama
First generation