Escape from the everyday and enjoy a fulfilling time

About 50 minutes by car from Hamamatsu city, this area spreads across lush hills, and urban development is progressing in harmony with nature, with parks and promenades where you can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons.

As you walk along the well-maintained road, the building of the pottery studio "Ai Kobo" comes into view.

Face yourself in a healing space

As soon as you step inside the workshop, soft light pours in through the large windows, and you're enveloped in a calm atmosphere.

A variety of pottery, including lion statues, teacups, and plates, are lined up in a small space, catching your eye.

One of the charms of pottery is that you can enjoy the different expressions of each piece, such as the beautiful luster of the glaze that sparkles in the sunlight, and others that exude the rustic warmth of the clay.

Pottery tools such as potter's wheels, spatulas, and sponges are neatly lined up next to the large workbench.

In the pottery experience, we make pottery so that even beginners can easily make pottery.The instructors, Shizuka and Rika Watanuki,They will support you at your own pace according to your individual circumstances.

A reliable presence to advise on all things ceramics

Originally, the company manufactured large industrial furnaces for melting aluminum, but in order to become better known to the general public,The company was spun off and a company specializing in pottery kilns was established.

Utilizing the knowledge and experience of heat technology cultivated in industrial furnaces, we offer custom-made, repair and maintenance services for ceramic kilns, stone kilns and industrial experimental furnaces.

"Because I specialize in pottery kilns, I wanted to run a business that is all about pottery, from the clay materials to the kilns and classes, so I started a pottery class," says Shizuka.

A place where people come together and foster creativity

We hold pottery classes at nursery schools, junior high schools, and care facilities, with the aim of teaching people about the warmth of clay and the joy of handcrafting, and creating experiences that are easy for local residents and even small children and the elderly to use.

Depending on the content of the experience, the themes may include difficult Buddhist statues or rare animals, but the instructors' careful instruction makes it easy for even participants with little experience to make the statue and give them a sense of satisfaction, which I think is a testament to their solid skills.

Making pottery more accessible

In pottery experiences, participants express themselves freely using their own ideas, so even if the theme is the same, the end result will vary. Especially when it comes to pieces with faces, such as lion-dogs and shisa, the differences are clear and you can get a glimpse of each individual's personality.

It will take about 1 to 2 months for the bread to be baked, so enjoy waiting while imagining what the finished product will look like.

"I would be happy if this becomes a place that can spread the warmth of handmade items and the joy of pottery, and foster creativity," says Rika.

Pottery experiences are something that anyone can enjoy, regardless of age or experience. Working with clay can refresh you, stimulate your creativity, and lead to many new discoveries.

What you can experience in this tour

In the pottery experience, you can make a guardian lion (or a shisa).It will take about 2 hours to make.

When you hear about pottery experience, you may think of teacups or mugs, but they made Komainu to create a unique experience that cannot be experienced in other classes. Komainu are considered to be the guardian deities of the home, and by making them by hand, you will feel more attached to them and look forward to displaying them in your home.

First, the instructor will explain the basics of pottery and how to make it, and you will expand on the image of the lion you want to make. Then, you will start kneading and shaping the clay.

The instructor will give you detailed advice, so even beginners can participate with confidence. Enjoy making your own work while enjoying the feel of the clay.

 

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Guide introduction

Ai Kobo Co., Ltd. Representative Directors Shizuka and Rika Watanuki

Graduated from an art university and the Department of Fine Arts in the Faculty of Education. Infusing new appeal into traditional pottery, she offers pottery classes for local residents and various facilities. She also offers programs to meet a variety of needs, such as rehabilitation and corporate training for young people, and is committed to activities to broaden the base of pottery.