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 $560
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.
- 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
From Kinkaku-ji, the golden temple, to the secret moss garden of Saiho-Ji, history and tradition lie in wait around every corner of Kyoto. Experience bustling food markets and hole-in-the-wall ramen joints, meditate in serene bamboo forests, and wander through traditional buildings and teahouses in the historic Higashiyama district. At once serene and vibrant, there are canals with weeping willows and shops brimming with Japanese teas, spices, and crafts.
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.
Junpei speaks Japanese and English.
Junpei speaks Japanese and English.
Guest Reviews
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
