Morikami Museum offers Kurinuki Ceramic Workshop in August

Kurinuki Ceramic Workshop at the Morikami Museum. [Photo by the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens]

Artists and pottery enthusiasts have the opportunity to explore one of Japan's oldest ceramic traditions during a two-day Kurinuki Ceramic Workshop at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens.

The workshop will be offered on Saturday, Aug. 8, and Saturday, Aug. 22, introducing participants to the centuries-old Japanese hand-building technique known as kurinuki, in which a vessel is carved from a solid block of clay rather than formed on a pottery wheel.

Participants will create their own chawan, or Japanese tea bowl, while learning the fundamental techniques of working with clay.

The workshop will be held over two sessions. Day 1 will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by Day 2 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $150 per person, and advance registration is required.

In addition to the ceramic workshop, visitors can spend the day exploring the museum's campus. The original Yamato-kan building, modeled after a traditional Japanese villa, features exhibits chronicling the history of the Yamato Colony and the landscape design philosophy of renowned garden designer Hoichi Kurisu.

Morikami's permanent collections include more than 7,000 Japanese art objects and artifacts, including an extensive collection of tea ceremony implements, historic textiles and fine art.

For more information or to register, visit Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens.