Try Japanese deep culture with pottery classes at Tokyo in English.Uzumako Ceramic art school is located just around 6 minutes from Mita station (Mita line) in Minato-ku, Tokyo. Very close to Tokyo Tower.

You might have the chance to meet Master Taku himself in the 11 o’clock class. Enjoy the art of recreating broken pottery into your one and only masterpiece. Take home with you the story you made in Japan. Kintsugi is a delicate technique; you are NOT allowed to bring any personal ceramic pieces to this course. You will use the plates prepared for beginners by the studio. In 2024, Master Taku is awarded with the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, the honorable commendation given to individuals who have made significant achievements in the fields of science, art, invention, improvement, and creation this year. Not only his talents as an artist, but also the fact that he dedicates a portion of profit to the charity was the big reason for winning this award. Thus, joining and enjoying his workshop, you will paying back to the society!

Kintsugi is a simple restoration technique that uses gold or other metal powder to repair broken, chipped, or cracked pieces. Kintsugi has been handed down in Japan from ancient times, and the culture of taking good care of things has attracted attention worldwide. Kintsugi lacquer comes from the poison oak tree or black tree of the poison ivy family. When dried, lacquer is a natural adhesive that is harmless to the human body and has a hardening effect. Cracks are considered a landscape in kintsugi, and the joint is decorated with gold, silver, or other metal powder. Kintsugi is based on not pretending that the cracks have never existed but considering them part of the item’s history and breathing new life into it. In 2024, Master Taku is awarded with the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, the honorable commendation given to individuals who have made significant achievements in the fields of science, art, invention, improvement, and creation this year.

We want to share the joy of the enchanting beauty of ceramics born from nature. Often our daily lives are spent solely in the world inside our smartphones. So I wish to create an experience connected with nature and outside of the screens. I want to share the joy of the enchanting beauty of ceramics born from nature. Earth and water are the roots of nature, and turned into pottery by fire. It is incredible and simply inspiring to see soft clay transform into beautiful pottery. The experience of witnessing the feel, the colors, and the wonder is about 10,000 times different than just seeing the final product. Your imagination expands and it’s mind-blowing. The world of ceramics is beautiful and interesting – it is very enriching to have vessels that come from nature in our daily lives. I want to share that joy with you all. The idea of coexistence not only between humans, but also between humans and nature, and all things that have “life”.

Learn kintsugi from a charming artist/potte, who have decades of experience teaching this delicate and ancient technique.

This 5 hr walking tour will also hold a 1 hr Pottery making experience at Shirokane Ceramic Art School for 6hrs of fun! You can make your pottery by either “Wheel Throwing” or “Hand Building”. Before your Pottery making experience, you will go on a walking tour with our licensed guide! Start time: The estimated time for the pottery will be about 5 hours from the start of the tour. Note*1: Kiln firing fee and shipping fee are not included. Please pay directly to the school on the day. (Work burning fee depends on volume: Cups 1000yen, small bowls 2,000yen, Large bowls, plates 3,000yen~） Note*2: Pieces are ready ～3 weeks after the class. If you wish have your pieces faster, an express plan is available for additional costs. Note*3: Pottery Making Experience is a group session with a maximum of 8 persons. Note*4: Only for age 4 yrs or above can join the Pottery Making Experience. Note*5: Experience time may take more than an hour. Please book this tour with enough time to spare.

“Breathing new life into broken pottery” Very little known, Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese art of mending broken pottery with lacquer and gold. You will learn how to create new works of art from broken pottery. Kintsugi means litteraly “Golden Joinery” (金継ぎ). You will be repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with urushi lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. The method is similar to the maki-e crafting technique. More than a physical activity, it’s also a spiritual activity and a lifestyle that teaches us to accept imperfections, and to create new pieces of art, even more unique, from those imperfections. The experience takes place in one of the oldest houses of Kintsugi, right in the middle of Tokyo in Minami-Aoyama. Don’t hesitate and book your ticket now to learn and experience this ancient Japanese art!