Create Kutani Ware Matcha Bowls at Kanazawa’s “To-an” Workshop Ceramics Experience

The Creative Sanctum where Yoshioka’s Unique Visions Become Reality

Tucked away in a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of Kanazawa City, the To-an workshop has the distinct feeling of a sanctuary. Yoshioka, who was first drawn to ceramics in high school by the unique “Hokōsai” works of Hazan Itaya, learned the art at the Ishikawa Prefectural Kutani ware Technical Institute. In 1995, he took his craft solo, and in 2003 founded this retreat-cum-studio.

Kutani ware is a ceramic tradition from Ishikawa Prefecture with a history of over 400 years. It is made with a local type of clay unique to the prefecture, and is valued around the world for its brightly-patterned colors and distinctive translucent glaze.

Honing the art of expression through texture, materials, and firing technique

Yoshioka continued to develop his craft and exhibit his work, and in 2003 he held solo exhibitions at major department stores in Kanazawa and even Tokyo. From 2012, he took his craft abroad, finding inspiration from international artistic connections and holding exhibitions in South Korea. Since then, he has expanded his activity in the ceramics world to such places as Taiwan, Singapore, Italy, Germany, the United States, and France, growing ever more passionate about bringing Japanese traditional crafts to a wider global audience.

High-temperature firing to create works of gold-infused glass

The Power and Beauty of Nature Made Solid

This experience is held at Yoshioka’s home studio, located near To-an. This hallowed private gallery-esque space is a wondrous display of the artist’s favorite things, and is sure to inspire and delight.

Yoshioka’s private sanctum, full of objects and instruments that inspire his creativity

Finding a vision is how creation begins. “First of all, think of your favorite things, things that bring you joy,” says Yoshioka. To forget everything else for a while and focus on creative freedom, on bringing to life an object of joy – that is the mood Yoshioka wishes to impart.

Ceramics as a Path to Discovery

When you have found the work in your mind, it is time to find it in the clay. In this experience, you will use the extremely rare Kutani-yaki clay, found only in Ishikawa’s Komatsu City. Moist and smooth, it is a comfort just to touch. Form a hole in the middle of your lump, and place it on the wheel before working it slowly in your fingers and palms, turning it at your own pace.

For Yoshioka, it’s much less important to create skilfully than it is to create soulfully

Time slows down as your work with the earth in your hands. Under Yoshioka’s watchful guidance, enjoy letting your creativity take shape. As you find the optimal thickness, you will also see the bowl’s form gradually emerge, and in this moment feel the joy of fashioning a work of art with your own hands.

Subtle fingertip impressions and cracks give a piece character

Sumptuous Matcha Tea Time with Kanazawa’s Famed Confections

While your matcha bowl dries, enjoy a cup of tea and traditional Kanazawa confections – served on Yoshioka’s own pottery creations. Beyond the gustatory pleasures, delight also in the visual and tactile: the dark luster of the glaze, the solid heft and texture, and the changes in thickness between the walls and the lip.

Take a break with matcha and traditional confections (exact items vary with the season)

Enjoy a freewheeling and inspiring chat with Yoshioka over fine tea and sweets. Those with a probing intellectual curiosity can hear all about his plans for future works, such as his ideas for large-scale ceramic art that goes beyond dishes and vessels. 

Yoshioka hopes to strengthen ties between artists across borders

You can also hear more about the conceptual thought behind Yoshioka’s exhibits. Highly conscious of the role of his creations in bridging the gap between generations, Yoshioka makes use of a variety of traditional techniques beyond even just Kutani ware. The beauty and power of the pieces is impressive, such as large pieces drawing upon the expressiveness of the material textures, or smaller vessels depicting the sun and moon in red and gold.

Ash has been wood-fired fired repeatedly to form striking cracks in this art piece

Enriching the Day-to-Day with One-of-a-Kind Kutani Ware

When the clay has dried, your work is done. Glazing and firing is handled by professional artisans, and the finished product will emerge roughly two months later. (Actual delivery time depends on the destination country.) Look forward to your one-of-a-kind handcrafted personal matcha bowl, sure to be a longtime reminder of the experience.

A finished piece

“Like all creative expression, pottery has a healing effect, which is why I focus on hands-on experience,” says Yoshioka. And as you let go of your workaday stresses and anxieties, loosen your shoulders, and get closer to the earth, you’ll soon understand why.

Discover the simple fulfillment of working the earth