Kutani Painting
Kutani Painting
The Kutani Ware ceramics of Ishikawa are known throughout Japan for their colorful designs, often painted in an iconic palette known as the “five colors of Kaga.” Today, the vibrant patterns on these dishes, cups, and other ceramics can be simple and bold, ornate yet timeless, playful and fun, or virtually anything else an artisan or artist might opt to paint. Indeed, Kutani Ware is a medium of choice both for artisans who produce their wares in bulk for shops, and for artists who focus on just a single piece at a time.
Today, Ishikawa’s Kutani Ware industry is as lively as ever, with countless artists throughout the prefecture hard at work on any given day. Unveil Japan offers travelers the rare opportunity to not only step into an artist’s studio, but to actually interact closely with one as both an artist and a teacher.
Meet the Artist: Tomoko Suzuki
Tomoko Suzuki operates her own Kutani Ware studio, and her pieces feature elaborate, intricately detailed flower designs in a broad variety of colors. Join an Unveil Japan interpreter-guide to meet Tomoko in person at her studio, including a hands-on workshop painting your own Kutani Ware item: Tomoko prepares dishes with a delicately outlined flower design, for visitors to color in however they like using a variety of pigments. She provides attentive guidance on every step of the process, including things like using hand-made ceramic tools to make powdered pigments into paste to paint on, using the same type of fine brushes used by expert artists. If you have any questions along the way, the Unveil Japan interpreter-guide can help facilitate conversations with Tomoko.
When your colored-in design is finished to your liking, leave your work with her to fire in her kiln, and she’ll send it along to your hotel when it’s ready — perfect as a one-of-a-kind souvenir of your trip to Ishikawa.
Details
Seasons Available
Available all year round
Days When Tours Are Unavailable
Depends on the artist’s schedule. Please contact us to confirm the dates.
Tour Area
Kaga, Ishikawa
Cancellation Policy
• 30% cancellation fee for cancellations 10 days before the tour
• 50% cancellation fee for cancellations 2–9 days before the tour
• 100% cancellation fee for cancellations on the day before or the day of the tour
How to Contact Us
If you have any questions about this tour please contact us using the button below.