We visit a charming pottery studio in a nearby town and create our own ceramic artworks under the guidance of an experienced teacher. The workshop is perfect for both complete beginners and more advanced pottery lovers. In larger groups, participants will shape a cup, a plate, and two hashioki (chopstick rests). In smaller groups, you’ll get to try your hand at the potter’s wheel. The studio owner specializes in Chinese ceramics but also offers advice for those who want to create their pieces in the rustic wabi-sabi style—where beauty lies in natural imperfections, a hallmark of traditional Japanese pottery.
Pottery has a long and rich history in both China and Japan, but the aesthetics and philosophies behind the two styles differ significantly.
Traditional Chinese pottery is known for its precision, symmetry, and refined craftsmanship. For over a thousand years, Chinese artisans have created elegant pieces such as the world-famous porcelain from Jingdezhen. These works often feature flawless glazes, smooth shapes, and intricate hand-painted designs, often inspired by nature, mythology, or calligraphy. Chinese ceramics were highly prized around the world for their beauty and perfection.
In contrast, Japanese pottery, especially in the wabi-sabi tradition, embraces imperfection and natural simplicity. Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic philosophy that values transience, irregularity, and authenticity. Cracks, uneven edges, muted glazes, and visible firing marks are not seen as flaws, but as unique characteristics that add depth and meaning to each piece. Every item tells a story.
Unlike Chinese porcelain, which is often created as decorative art, Japanese wabi-sabi pottery is deeply connected to everyday life—particularly the tea ceremony. A rough, earthy tea bowl with an asymmetrical rim can be cherished just as much as a delicate Chinese porcelain cup—but for entirely different reasons.
In summary, Chinese ceramics represent elegance and technical mastery, while Japanese pottery in the wabi-sabi style conveys simplicity, mindfulness, and the quiet beauty of imperfection. Both forms are deeply rooted in their cultures and offer unique insights into the way beauty is perceived in East Asia.
