［Standard］The Heart of Pottery, in Your Hands～Bunsai Kiln Pottery Making Experience
How about starting pottery at the kiln that has been continuing its legacy for six generations on Gojo Street?
It's a workshop with an old Toh kiln and a beautiful garden. We kindly guide each person to create freely and beautifully. You'll make a teacup and a free-form piece (within 20cm cubic size). Later, you'll have the option to choose the glaze color from a selection of five colors for firing.
Every Thursday（Partial closures during Obon(around August 11th to 17th), year-end, and New Year holidays.）
Morning session：10:00～
Afternoon session：13:30～
It will take about an hour and a half.
The pieces will be shipped approximately 3 to 4 weeks later.
1 Experience: 16,500 JPY per person (tax included)
Please contact us by the day before if possible.
(If it's the same day, we may not be able to accommodate your request.)
A cancellation on the day will incur a 50% cancellation fee.
Pottery Making Experience Inquiry
To apply, please use the button below.(Japanese page)
For those who want to learn more extensively, we also offer cultural classes.
The display based on the Specific Commercial Transactions Law
HISTORY
Established in 175 years Inaugurated a kiln at Gojozaka in Kyoto150 years
Continuing to create Pottery The potter, the sixth generation Bunsai Ogawa
The first generation Ogawa Bunsai (Bunsuke) learned kiln construction techniques in Kyushu, and in 1847,
he established himself as 'Bunsai' after being recognized by the Ichijo family in Kaseyama (currently Kizugawa City, Kyoto Prefecture),
receiving the character '斎' and the family crest.
In the Meiji Restoration, after returning to Kyoto, he established a kiln and resumed his work in 1873.
Since then, through six generations, ceramics have been continually crafted at this location.
We believe that the inherited techniques and knowledge will surely satisfy all of our customers.
A concise chronology of Ogawa Bunsai through the generations
| Year era | Gregorian calendar | matters |
|---|---|---|
| Bunka 6 | 1809 | Potter Ogawa Bunsai (commonly known as Bunsuke, Nakueemon, and bearing the artistic name of Bunsai) was born in Wakasugi Village, Nomi District, Kaga Province. |
| Bunsei 10 | 1827 | The Kasenoyama kiln is established. |
| Tenpo 5 | 1834 | From a young age, he traveled and trained in various pottery regions across the country. During this year, he studied the round kiln construction method in Arita, Hizen Province. |
| Tenpo 10 | 1839 | He constructed a kiln in the Hino River area of Osaka's Temma district upon the request of volunteers. |
| Tenpo 14 | 1843 | He came to Kyoto and worked in the Kameya Heikichi factory, engaging in pottery production. |
| Koka 2 | 1845 | "The Ichijo family obtained permission from the wealthy Kyoto merchant Yoshida Shosukeemon to establish a kiln. At the request of the Hikone domain kiln, they constructed a 5-ken round kiln for Kotou-yaki pottery in the Koto region. |
| Koka 4 | 1847 | At the invitation of the Ichijo family, a porcelain kiln was constructed in Kaseyama, Sagara District, Yamashiro Province, where he served as an instructor in pottery techniques. In recognition of his achievements, he was granted a stipend for life as an honored potter and received the title of 'Eisei Rokugonin-buchi,' a distinguished honorific. |
| kaei 4 | 1851 | The shared box for the Nanjing Shinwa Red Ruri poetry-carved bowls from Kasenoyama-yaki contains information on the origin and names of the specialized craftsmen involved, along with a description of the leading figure, Bunsuke. |
| Meiji 3 | 1870 | Following the Meiji Restoration, he returned to serve the Ichijo family. Invited by the Kaibutsu Office in Wakayama Prefecture, he went to Otokoyama in Arita District and built a pottery kiln. |
| Meiji 6 | 1873 | Established an independent workshop on Gojozaka in Kyoto. Alongside the second generation Bunsai (Tetsunosuke), pioneered the production of Kyoto Imari ware for export. |
| Meiji 10 | 1877 | At the request of Ishikawa Prefecture, he taught the construction method of round kilns to students in the Industrial Promotion Institute's ceramics department. |
| Meiji 11 | 1878 | Return to Kyoto. |
| Meiji 16 | 1883 | The first generation Ogawa Bunsai passed away at the age of 74. |
| Meiji 20 | 1887 | The second generation Bunsai, Tetunosuke, passed away. |
| Showa 14 | 1939 | The third generation Bunsai, Unosuke, passed away. |
| Showa 20 | 1945 | The eldest son of the fourth generation Bunsai, Hitoshi, died in battle. |
| Showa 50 | 1975 | The fourth generation Bunsai, Bunzo, passed away. His second son, Kinji, decided not to inherit the Bunsai name at this point, considering the return of his older brother from the battlefield. |
| Heisei 3 | 1991 | Kinji succeeded to the name of the fifth generation Bunsai. |
| Heisei 24 | 2012 | The fifth generation Bunsai, Kinji, passed away. |
| Heisei 26 | 2014 | The eldest son of the fifth generation Bunsai, Kō, succeeded as the sixth generation Bunsai. |
Was Kamikaze Also Youth?
- An 18-Year Life -
This is a book transcribing a lecture by the fifth generation Bunsai about his experiences during the Pacific War.
With few people remaining who can share their firsthand experiences,
we believe this can serve as a valuable resource.
On the 79th anniversary of the end of the war and the 13th memorial year of the fifth generation,
we have decided to make it widely available.
I would appreciate it if you could take a moment to read it.
Attention: Please do not repost.
It is written in Japanese.
（C) 2012 Bunsaigama,Kyoto Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.
Please click on the image.
Introduction of the artist
The sixth generation Ogawa Bunsai (Kō)
The head of the Ogawa Bunsai Kiln, sixth generation
Pottery artist
Nitten Friend of the association
Kyoto Kogei Association member
Professional experience
・Instructor at Cultural Centers (Mainichi, NHK, Kyoto) ongoing for 20 years.
・Field burning (with the fifth generation Bunsai)
・Forming and participating in a Limited Liability Worker Cooperative
Pottery career
| 1974 | Born as the eldest son of the fifth generation potter, Ogawa Bunsai, on Gojozaka in Kyoto. |
| 1999 | Graduated from the Sculpture Course, Faculty of Fine Arts, Graduate School of Kyoto University of the Arts |
| 2000 | Graduated from Kyoto Prefectural Technical School of Ceramics, Moldmaking Department / Selected for Kyoto Exhibition / Selected for All Kansai Art Exhibition |
| 2001 | Graduated from Kyoto Prefectural Technical School of Ceramics, Specialization Department / Selected for Kyoto Exhibition / Joined Kyoto Kogei Association |
| 2002 | Group exhibition 'Five Artists Exhibition' / Completion of Kiln Laboratory at Kyoto City Industrial Research Institute / Received the Kusube Award at the Kyoto Exhibition / First selection at the 34th Nitten Exhibition |
| 2003 | Selected for the Kyoto Exhibition / Received the Japan New Craft Encouragement Award at the 25th Japan New Craft Exhibition / Joined the Japan New Craft Artists' Federation Kinki Branch / Selected for the All Kansai Art Exhibition / Selected for the 35th Nitten Exhibition |
| 2004 | Selected for the Kyoto Exhibition / Selected for the 26th Japan New Craft Exhibition / Yomiuri Shimbun Osaka Headquarters Award at the Japan New Craft Exhibition Kinki Exhibition / Selected for the 36th Nitten Exhibition |
| 2005 | Tokyo Governor's Award at the 27th Japan New Craft Exhibition / First solo exhibition (Kyoto Daimaru Department Store Art Salon) / Selected for the 37th Nitten Exhibition |
| 2006 | Selected for the 28th Japan New Craft Exhibition / Yomiuri TV Broadcasting Award at the Japan New Craft Exhibition Kinki Exhibition / Selected for the All Kansai Art Exhibition / Solo exhibition (Takashimaya Kyoto Store Art and Craft Salon) / Selected for the 38th Nitten Exhibition |
| 2007 | Selected for the Kyoto Exhibition / Selected for the 29th Japan New Craft Exhibition / Selected for the 39th Nitten Exhibition / Exhibited at the Kyoto Women's University Elementary School 50th Anniversary Ceramics Exhibition |
| 2008 | Selected for the Kyoto Exhibition / Selected for the 30th Japan New Craft Exhibition / U.S.E Uryuyama Sculptors Exhibition (Gallery Marronnier) |
| 2009 | Group exhibition 'Shinshu Exhibition - Winter Gathering' / Became a member of the Japan New Craft Artists' Federation / Exhibited at the 31st Japan New Craft Exhibition / Kyoto Kogei Association Exhibition - Association Encouragement Award / Yomiuri Shimbun Osaka Headquarters Award at the Japan New Craft Exhibition Kinki Exhibition / Selected for the 41st Nitten Exhibition / Solo exhibition (Kyoto Daimaru Department Store Art Salon) / U.S.E 2009 (Gallery Marronnier) |
| 2010 | Exhibited at the 32nd Japan New Craft Exhibition / Selected for the 42nd Nitten Exhibition |
| 2011 | Exhibited at the 8th Special Exhibition for the 100th Anniversary of Kyoto Women's University Elementary School 'Alumni - Ceramic Artists Exhibition' / Exhibited at the 33rd Japan New Craft Exhibition / Received the Yomiuri TV Award at the All Kansai Art Exhibition / Participated in 'Seeking a New World - 50 Years of Shimizu-yaki Ceramics Township' / U.S.E 4 (Gallery Marronnier) / Exhibited at the 65th Anniversary Commemoration Kyoto Kogei Association Exhibition / Solo exhibition (Kyoto Daimaru Department Store Art Gallery) |
| 2012 | Judge at the 34th Japan New Craft Exhibition / Kyoto City Education Director's Award at the Japan New Craft Exhibition Kinki Exhibition / U.S.E 5 (Gallery Marronnier) |
| 2013 | Succeeded as the sixth generation of Bunsai Kiln for Kyoto ware. Exhibited at the 35th Japan New Craft Exhibition / U.S.E 6 (Gallery Marronnier) / Selected for the 44th Nitten Exhibition |
| 2014 | U.S.E 7 (Gallery Marronnier) / Withdrew from the Japan New Craft Artists' Federation |
| 2015 | Exhibition of Japanese Painting and Crafts by 200 Contemporary Artists for the 400th Anniversary of Rinpa (at Kyoto Culture Museum) / 'Heisei Machiya Houses x Heisei Workers' / U.S.E 8 (Gallery Marronnier) |
| 2016 | Creating a plaque for the 'Let's All Create a Street Sign' project in the Rokugen district of Kyoto / Collaboration exhibition of Japanese painting, photography, and metalwork gathered around ceramics (at Porta Gallery Hana) |
| 2017 | Solo exhibition at Daimaru Kyoto Department Store Art Gallery / U.S.E 10 (Gallery Marronnier) |
| 2018 | Kissako - Start with a Cup of Tea -' / Worker (Porta Gallery Hana) Climbing Kiln Damage |
| 2019 | Completion of climbing kiln restoration Kyoto Exhibition 'Small Universe Exhibition' (Porta Gallery Hana) Celebration of the succession to the sixth generation Ogawa Bunsai" |
| 2020 | Kyoto Exhibition 'Small Universe Exhibition' (Porta Gallery Hana) / Selected Exhibition by Kyoto Kogei Association |
| 2021 | 75th Anniversary Exhibition of the Kyoto Craft Artists Association / Solo exhibition at Daimaru Kyoto Department Store Art Gallery |