Ceramics with Junpei
Explore Kyoto and learn to create Jōmon and Kintsugi inspired earthenware from ceramic artist Junpei.
- Snacks, Coffee, & Tea
Pricing
- One Guest
- USD $1420
- Additional guest(s) (max 4)
- USD $885
Meet the Artist
Junpei has been creating ceramic works inspired by Jōmon pottery (one of Japan's oldest pottery style), and Kintsugi tea cups (the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery), for the past 16 years. He is inspired by the forms, patterns, and human figurines of Jomon pottery that are said to symbolize an awe of nature and beliefs in talismans and animism. His other inspirations come from family crests, plant seeds, animal skeletons, alphabets, architecture and film. He is intrigued by the origins of pottery and likes to explore the relationship between nature and everyday human life in his works. Ask him about his favorite Japanese gardens, shrines and sweet shops in Kyoto when you meet him!
VAWAA Includes:
- Handbuilding techniques such as slab, pinch, and coil.
- Creating functional forms and mold-making.
- Advanced techniques based on your project.
- Trimming, decorating and glazing techniques.
- Access to different kilns in the city.
- Materials including clay and carving tools.
- Your unique handmade ceramic artworks. (Pieces can be shipped for an additional fee.)
Explore Kyoto
Junpei's studio is in Ohara, a tranquil village in Kyoto's northern mountains in Sakyo ward. Just 30 minutes by car or an hour by train from Kyoto City Center, Ohara is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, serene temples like Sanzen-in, and lush gardens. This peaceful escape offers a glimpse into traditional Japanese countryside life amidst stunning natural beauty. Explore this charming village while staying close to the cultural heart of Kyoto.
Additional Details
Visit Kyoto year-round. Best time time to visit is in the spring for cherry blossom season, from March to May, or in the fall to experience beautiful foliage, from October to November. There is light snow in the winter, from December to March.
This VAWAA can be extended for a deeper immersion of techniques and processes. Please ask when you send a booking request.
Junpei speaks Japanese and English.
This VAWAA can be extended for a deeper immersion of techniques and processes. Please ask when you send a booking request.
Junpei speaks Japanese and English.
Guest Reviews
Susanna L., Australia
What a delightful week in Kyoto! Junpei is a warm and attentive teacher and host who welcomed me into his studio. He guided me through the principles of traditional Jomon pottery and gave me the space to experiment. He also introduced me to his old university studio and some of his works on display in a local restaurant and hotel.
Lina F., United States
My partner and I absolutely loved our ceramics experience with Junpei- from his beautiful studio nestled in trees, to wide range of ceramics we got to see and experience beyond the studio, to several exceptionally tasty meals we had together. We both came to the experience with some to no ceramics experience, and came out of it planning to set up a ceramics studio in our new home (sans the kiln wh Read more
Chris R., United States
Junpei was a wonderful, warm, instructive host. I learned a bunch of new decorating techniques related to Jomon style ceramics, and I can’t wait to apply what I learned in my own practice. In addition, he was an excellent guide, pointing me to some local festivals and museums, and took me on two daytrips: one to Shigaraki where I met a bunch of contemporary artists, and another around Kyoto, where Read more
Stacey O., United States
My experience with Junpei was awesome! He was able to curate the session to what I was interested in. During the visit, I figured out what I wanted to learn during my 5 days and Junpei had the connections to make it all happen. I had a somewhat unique request of gathering natural ingredients to make clay and glaze from scratch. Junpei took me to a location to gather stone that I otherwise would ne Read more
Audrey G., United States
This was an absolutely perfect way to spend my time in Kyoto. I would rate it six stars if I could. Junpei was so awesome and so kind and made me feel welcome right away. I had so much fun and would do it again in a heartbeat!
Flor F., United Kingdom
Junpei San has been an absolute star since my first day in his studio. From the moment I arrived, he made me feel welcome and addressed every question I had with patience and clarity. His dedication to ensuring I understood all the details was truly remarkable.
Kristy C., United States
It was an amazing workshop experience! I had an absolute blast learning all about Jomon pottery. Junpei was incredibly patient and showed me around the university, some local restaurants, and a hotel where his work was displayed. He's not only a ceramic expert but also a super creative person. Glazing cups and making mini sculptures were so much fun, too! I'd definitely suggest this workshop to an Read more
Anne Catherine S., Luxembourg
My Vawaa with Junpei was a one of a kind experience. I got to learn the ins and outs of hand building with clay while being immersed in the local art scene. Apart from spending memorable moments in his studio in Ohara and sharing life experiences over lunch in surrounding restaurants, he took me on a day trip to Nara prefecture where we were digging with a friend of Junpei's (another ceramics arti Read more
Zainab A.,
I am so glad that I did this VAWAA with Junpei. It was way better than I anticipated and it was an endearing and heart-full experience. Junpei is an authentic Japanese Artist, and he is loving, kind, knowledgeable, super talented and absolutely FUN to work with. He is no doubt an excellent and patient teacher, and he encourages you every step of the way. He has a quaint pottery studio and it is lo Read more
Ross M., Australia
We glazed prepared cups on the first day. Junpei had a wide range of glazes, and samples of fired glazes to make selection easy. Junpei provided helpful suggestions during this process.
Junpei demonstrated making coil pots, and clay modeling. We spent the second, third, and fourth days, making and glazing these pots and figures. Junpei had fried our glazed cups, and we saw the results of our ef Read more
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10 reviews
