A Quiet Morning of Pottery in Kurashiki: Practicing the Curves of a Tsurukubi Vase

A year and a half ago, a young French guest visited Wasyugama for a pottery experience in Kurashiki.

This week, he returned — this time with his mother.

Returning to Wasyugama After 18 Months

Alex is currently living in Tokyo and studying Japanese for several months. As a designer, I could sense his preference for clean and straight lines even in the way he approached clay.

His mother lives in Singapore and began pottery during the pandemic. For this visit, she wanted to practice making a traditional Japanese form called a tsurukubi — a tall vase with a long, narrow neck.

One of the things I enjoy most about welcoming international guests to our pottery studio in Okayama is discovering how people from different countries approach clay in their own way.

The Quiet Difficulty of a Tsurukubi Vase

At first glance, the shape appears simple.

But in pottery, simple forms are often the most difficult.

Even a slight imbalance in the curve becomes visible immediately. A line that feels too tense, or a neck that bends just slightly too sharply, can completely change the feeling of the piece.

She spent a long time quietly adjusting the curve of the neck.

Watching her work reminded me of my own training years ago.

When I was an apprentice, my teacher often told me:
“Make tsurukubi.”

For months, I repeated the same form over and over again.

A slightly stiff line.
A curve that felt too heavy.
A neck that lacked softness.

Again and again, I adjusted small details that many people might never notice.

Pottery may look like the act of making objects, but in many ways, it is also the process of refining one’s own sense of balance and sensitivity.

A Pottery Experience in Kurashiki, Japan

Even across cultures and generations, there are moments in the studio that feel strangely familiar.

The quiet concentration.
The repeated adjustments.
The search for a beautiful line.

Wasyugama is a small Bizen pottery studio located near Kurashiki, Japan, where visitors can experience traditional Japanese pottery in a relaxed and personal environment.

Many of our guests are beginners, while others already have experience with ceramics and wish to spend more time exploring form and technique.

This quiet morning with Alex and his mother reminded me that pottery is not only about creating finished pieces, but also about the time and attention shared around the wheel.

Interested in experiencing pottery in Kurashiki?
View our pottery workshops here.