Hand-kneading is recommended for beginners of ceramic art experience! Introducing how to make and the difference from the electric potter's wheel

Ceramic art experience Is characterized by being able to make what you like. Wouldn't it be nice if you could make your own plates and vases for everyday use?

Among the ceramic arts, "hand-bending" is a technique that even beginners can easily work on. The appeal is that you can easily make a tasty potter's wheel that is different from the electric potter's wheel.

This time, we will feature how to make ceramic art. The type of hand-kneading and what you can make, the difference from the electric potter's wheel Introducing the basic knowledge of ceramic art and hand-kneading in an easy-to-understand manner.

Ceramic art experience What kind of technique is hand-kneading?

Making clay for pottery into the shape of a work is called "molding", and it can be broadly divided into "molding". Hand twist "When" Electric potter's wheel There is a technique of ".

Hand-kneading is a method of molding while stretching the soil with your fingertips without using an electric potter's wheel. So, it is sometimes called hand-kneading. In many cases, you can use a hand-cranked potter's wheel to freely create the shape of a container by stacking strings made of soil or making holes in a block of soil.

The difference between hand-rolling and electric wheel

Ceramic art Many people may think of an electric potter's wheel rather than a hand-kneading.

In the first place, the potter's wheel is a rotatable circular table. Since the hand-cranked potter's wheel used for hand-kneading rotates the table manually, it is difficult to keep rotating it continuously and the rotation speed is slow.

However Electric potter's wheel with motor Then, just step on the pedal at your feet to rotate the table and You can use centrifugal force to make a well-shaped container. .. However, because the speed of rotation is fast, if you get a little impatient or relax, the shape will collapse immediately, and you may have to start over. If you get used to it, you can make beautiful baked goods that look like they are for sale, It takes a little practice to improve ..

on the other hand, Hand twist You don't have to get used to handling the electric potter's wheel, Even beginners can easily challenge .. The rotation of the potter's wheel can also be adjusted by hand, so you won't be impatient with speed and fail. In contrast to the electric potter's wheel, which can only make a circular potter's wheel that makes use of centrifugal force, there are no restrictions on the shape of the potter's wheel, and it is also attractive that you can make any work as you like.

Recommended ceramic art classes: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Tochigi, Shiga

The history of ceramic art in Japan is old The first Jomon pottery in the early Jomon period It is said to be. After that, from the Momoyama era when the tea ceremony became widespread, Japan's unique ceramic art culture became popular, and original pottery was produced in various places.

In modern times Historically prosperous area of ceramics The ceramic art experience is gaining popularity as an activity on the road. In addition, Tokyo / Aoyama, Shibuya, Harajuku, etc. Ceramic art class held in the city center Also flourishing. For example, you can experience hand-kneading in such a place.

Tokyo Roppongi / Aoyama

Many women in their 20s and 30s go there, Fashionable and friendly ceramic art experience class Roppongi and Aoyama where there are many. A menu full of originality is offered, which is a novel arrangement of traditional crafts such as a pair of baked goods for weddings, making plates for gifts, and a plan to experience ceramics with pets.

Review and word-of-mouth experience

Review and word-of-mouth experience

Review and word-of-mouth experience

Around Kyoto Gion, Higashiyama, Kitashirakawa Kinkakuji, Kitano Tenmangu

Famous as Kyo ware A long-established store of Kiyomizu ware Such, Ceramic art experience in a historic kiln Is popular. Many participants are new to ceramic art, and even beginners can take lessons without hesitation. After experiencing making pottery at the workshop, it's fun to find your favorite at the shop next door. You can enjoy the uniqueness of Kyoto and the ceramic art experience at the same time.

Review and word-of-mouth experience

Osaka Shinsaibashi / Namba / Yotsubashi

There are many sightseeing spots in Osaka Shinsaibashi / Namba / Yotsubashi area But you can experience ceramic art. It is also recommended to try ceramic art on your way home from shopping.

Review and word-of-mouth experience

Tochigi Bato, Motegi, Mashiko, Moka

Mashiko Town, located in the southeastern part of Tochigi Prefecture, Producing area of the famous Mashiko ware Known as. Therefore, there are many ceramic art classes and experience facilities in the Mato, Motegi, Mashiko, and Moka areas. Why don't you enjoy the ceramic art experience together with a drive trip to Nasu Plateau and Nikko?

Review and word-of-mouth experience

Shiga Koka / Shigaraki

Made mainly in Shigaraki, Koka City, Shiga Prefecture Shigaraki ware Is one of the six ancient kilns in Japan. It features a warm fire color (scarlet) with a unique earthy taste, and a beadro glaze and charring taste with natural glaze. It also attracted attention as a drama stage. There is also a complex facility where you can experience ceramic art culture all day long, and you can enjoy making pottery to your heart's content in the soil of Shigaraki that you admire.

Review and word-of-mouth experience

What kind of person is recommended for hand kneading?

People and minions who are new to ceramic art are clumsy If you are worried about how well you can do it, please come and experience the world of ceramic art by hand.

Since you don't need to "practice" to get used to the electric potter's wheel, you can concentrate on the fun of making things. The good thing about it is that it has a nice hand. Even if the shape is slightly distorted, that is also one of the tastes! Rather, it seems like a charm point, so it's strange.

Also, when using an electric potter's wheel, you will still have to make a container with a shape suitable for the electric potter's wheel, but there are no such restrictions on hand-kneading. People who want to make what they like freely Hand-kneading is a very suitable technique for people who are confident in their originality.

There is also a difference in the soil used between the electric potter's wheel and the hand-kneading. Since the soil for electric potter's wheel has a large amount of water, a drying process is required after molding, and it takes some time to proceed to the next decoration. on the other hand, Hand-kneading does not need to be dried after molding and can be painted immediately .. If you want to experience everything from molding to painting while traveling, we recommend choosing a hand-kneading course.

Handcrafting Tips and How to Enjoy

There may be an image that ceramic art requires skillful skills. But when I actually challenge it, You can make a "usable container" more easily than you can imagine. You should be surprised.

Plates, bowls, and mugs can be made into a simple shape by kneading clay, rolling it, making holes, and spreading it. It is the only form in the world that only you can create.

First of all, please experience the cool and comfortable clay in the ceramic art experience and the ceramic art class. The first trick is to get along with the soil. Even if you don't try to make it well, if you can relax and enjoy it as if you were familiar with the soil and playing with the soil, it will surely be a good grilled dish.

And if possible Somehow imagine the design of the tableware and vase that you want to make And the production will be smoother. It is also recommended to look for your favorite at museums and container stores that display grilled foods.

Basic hand-rolling technique

There are some basic techniques when making hand-kneaded pottery. Let me introduce some typical ones.

Ball making (tama making)

A technique of rolling the soil into a ball shape and shaping it with your fingertips is.

First, roll the soil like a catch ball with both hands to make a clean ball.

Put the ball-shaped object on the potter's wheel and stick it tightly. Rotate the potter's wheel to the desired shape and make a hole in the center.

Insert your thumb into the hole and spread it out to shape the whole shape while making the best use of the texture of the soil.

String making (string making)

Technique to make a shape by stacking soil stretched in a string shape is.
It is also called winding, winding, and making.

First, stretch the clay while crushing the clay ball with the palm of your hand, and when it has stretched to a certain extent, roll it on a board to make a string.

Next, make the base of the potter's wheel on the hand-cranked potter's wheel, and stack the strings on it to form the shape.

String making is the oldest molding technique for pottery and has been practiced in Japan since the Jomon period.

Design that can be made by making strings

Small bowls, flat bowls, vases, single-flowered vases, large jars, turtles, etc. You can also make dolls.

Making tatara (making boards)

Technique of laminating and molding plate-shaped clay (tatara) is.

First, hit the soil to form a square.

Next, place a board called a tatara board on both sides of the soil. Using a tatara board as a guide, slice the soil with a wire or the like and crush it with a stick to make a board of the same thickness.

Make your favorite shape by bending and sticking. It is also possible to add a pattern to the board with plaster or unglazed mold (printed flower).

Design that can be made by making tatara

Small plates, square plates such as saury plates, mugs, chopstick rests, vases (vases), etc.
Since you can make many chopstick rests at once, it is also popular as a handmade wedding gift.

Hollow out

The technique of first making the shape of the entire container and then hollowing out the inside using a canna etc. is.

First, create the shape of the entire container. When the surface is dry enough, hollow out the inside of the soil mass to create a space.

If the work is large, use a thread to divide it, cut it out, and finally join it.

Design that can be made by hollowing out

Suitable for making boxes such as incense sticks and accessory cases. When making a lampshade, after molding it, dry it a little and then hollow out or cut the place where you want to let light pass through.

Tools used for hand shaping

The best tool for hand-kneading is your own hands. However, convenient tools are also essential to get the shape you want. Some props such as spatula are sold as a set for beginners.

Hand-cranked potter's wheel

Used for a wide range of purposes such as hand-kneading molding, glaze, and painting. There is also a potter's wheel made of stainless steel that does not rust. Generally, the diameter is around 30 cm.

Wire (slip and cut thread)

It is used for making tatara and for separating the finished work from the potter's wheel.

Tatara board

A board used to make tatara that slices soil with a wire. Two boards are set, and the thickness of the clay is adjusted according to the thickness.

Canna

It is used for hollowing out soil during the hollowing technique, attaching a hill (a support base provided at the bottom of the container), and fine-tuning the thickness. One of the most frequently used tools.

Scraping wrasse

Used when shaving the sides and inside of the hill of the container, and for finishing the shaving. There are two types: flat scraping, which is used to scrape out soil, and round scraping, which is used when you want to scrape while rounding.

needle

It is used to draw thin lines as a decoration or to touch small parts.

Wood trowel

Smooths the surface and interior of the container.

Comb

Add a comb pattern to the work as a decoration.

Cut bow

Used when you want to cleanly cut the edges of the container. Fix the hand holding the bow and cut it using the centrifugal force of the potter's wheel.

Tanned skin

It is used to make the surface finer and more palatable after cutting the edges of the container that hits the lips.

Unlike electric potter's wheel, hand-kneading can be molded at your own pace, so it is also an advantage to be able to chat with friends and family.

If you experience it while traveling, it will be the best souvenir! Feel free to enjoy the hand-kneading while imagining "what should I put in this container?"

* Information on plans, prices, referral facilities, etc. is as of February 2022.

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Ceramic art experience Frequently asked questions about hand-kneading

Q What is the ceramic art experience "hand-bending"?

A The method of forming the soil for baking while stretching it on a table or pedestal is called "hand twisting". It is also called hand-kneading. Sometimes you work on a rotary table, but the rotary table is used to turn the work without turning it with your feet or electric power. "Hand-bending" is a ceramic art technique that even beginners can easily challenge.

Q Difference between "Rokuro" and "Hand-bending"

A "Hand-bending" also uses a hand-cranked potter's wheel, but in general, "potter's wheel" refers to something that can be rotated by electricity or by foot. The work made with the potter's wheel looks good, but it is said that the technique is difficult and it is difficult to make a unique work. On the other hand, hand-kneading can be easily tackled by beginners of ceramic art and small children, and can create elaborate and original works.

Q What kind of work can you make by hand?

A Hand-kneading is a technique of stretching clay with your fingertips and shaping it. There are basically no restrictions on the shape of pottery that can be made by hand. In addition to everyday pottery such as bowls, mugs, small bowls and plates, we also make large pots and jars, as well as pottery other than chopstick rests and dolls. The great attraction of hand-kneading is that you can create any work as you like.

Q Where can I experience hand-kneading ceramics?

A Ceramic art has a long history in Japan, and pottery production areas are scattered all over the country. Mashiko ware in Tochigi prefecture and Bizen ware in Okayama prefecture are famous. The ceramic art experience is gaining popularity as an activity on the road, mainly in areas where ceramic art has prospered historically. In addition, the number of ceramic art classes is increasing in the 23 wards of Tokyo and in central Osaka, making ceramic art more familiar.