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Hirashimizu is known as a pottery village in Yamagata. In this area, there is a spot where you can experience Hirashimizu ware pottery, which has a history of over 200 years
Hirashimizu ware originated in the Edo period. The techniques of Soma ware were introduced to Hirashimizu, and it began to flourish as a pottery village. Its heyday was in the mid-Meiji period, when there were as many as 30 kilns. After that, the number gradually decreased, and today only three kilns remain
You can easily experience pottery at Shichiemon Kiln
Open all year round, no reservations required
There are three Hirashimizu-yaki potteries that remain today. Among them, Shichiemon Kiln is the easiest to visit for an experience. It is open all year round and no reservations are required. It is rare to be able to drop in on a pottery experience like this. You can enjoy it whenever you feel like it, while sightseeing
Easy access
Heading east from National Route 13, you will arrive at the Hirashimizu area. This area is at the foot of Mt. Chitose and evokes the atmosphere of a bygone era. Shichiemon Kiln is about 10 minutes from the center of Yamagata City. This convenient location is one of the reasons why Shichiemon Kiln is so easy to access
Pottery experience that lets you feel the nature of Mt. Chitose
At Shichiemon Kiln, pottery is made using clay from the foot of Mt. Chitose, which is close to where people live. It's a pottery experience that lets you feel the nature
Once inside, you'll see many hand-cranked potter's wheels lined up in the hall. You can even go empty-handed, as you'll be provided with an apron. Once you sit in front of your own wheel, the teacher will begin his explanation
Affordable and easy to make
You will receive clay that has been kneaded and the air removed. It's easy because you don't have to knead it yourself. This clay contains pottery stone containing iron sulfide, which is also mined from Mt. Chitose
You can choose between 500g or 1kg of soil. If you want to make cups or bowls, 500g is enough. If you want to make a set of large plates and cups, choose 1kg
The cost for instruction, rental of a set of tools including a hand-cranked potter's wheel, and firing is 2,160 yen, making it a very reasonable experience of pottery making
A beginner-friendly manual potter's wheel
If the potter's wheel is automatic, even a little force will cause the shape to become distorted. Many people have probably seen such a scene. However, the experience at Shichiemon Kiln uses a manual potter's wheel. You can turn it at your own pace and create the shape, so there is no need to worry about the shape suddenly becoming distorted. It can be said that this design is friendly to first-timers
Once the clay is stretched, it is difficult to return it to its original round shape. Therefore, the trick is to shape it carefully and slowly without rushing. The clay will shrink and become a little smaller after baking, so it is recommended to make it a little larger than the final shape
Summary of the pottery experience at "Shichiemon Kiln"
The pottery at Shichiemon Kiln can be accessed in about 10 minutes from the center of Yamagata city, and no reservations are required, so you can experience it empty-handed. The best part is that you can just come and try your hand at pottery
When an amateur makes something, it's inevitable that the shape will be distorted or uneven. However, this adds to the charm of the piece, and you'll grow to love it. You can pick up your finished pottery about a month after the experience, or have it mailed to you
When you visit Yamagata, be sure to try a pottery experience that will allow you to experience the culture of Hirashimizu and the soil of Chitoseyama
INFORMATION
name
Shichiemon kiln
location
153 Hirashimizu, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture
A web writer who loves sightseeing. He is dedicated to exploring local gourmet food. Recently, I've been researching famous Japanese sweets shops such as manju and dango. Going around the basements of department stores is my daily routine.
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