About
Itonowa (糸島～陶芸体験itonowa/イトノワ) is a pottery workshop in the Sakurai area offering hands-on ceramic experiences using hand-wheel (te-rokuro) and slab-building (tatara) techniques. The workshop owner trained under Okamoto Kozan of Chikuzen Noma-yaki and Takatori Kosen of Takatori-yaki (traditional Fukuoka pottery styles), relocating to Itoshima from Fukuoka City in 2006. 🔗
Participants can create tea bowls, cups, plates, or small vases using 12 types of glazes, with pieces fired in a traditional kerosene kiln. The workshop welcomes children as young as 3 years old, making it family-friendly. 🔗
Cultural & Religious Significance
Connection to Kyushu Ceramic Traditions
Itonowa represents a bridge between Kyushu's centuries-old ceramic heritage and contemporary Itoshima craft culture. The owner's training in established traditions (Takatori-yaki and Chikuzen Noma-yaki) before establishing an independent studio brings technical expertise while developing a personal artistic voice. 🔗
This pattern reflects how Itoshima's ceramic community evolved—individual artisans with formal training choosing to establish studios in this scenic coastal region, creating a collaborative creative community rather than adhering to a single traditional style.
Wabi-Sabi in Practice
Japanese pottery embraces wabi-sabi philosophy—finding beauty in imperfection, asymmetry, and natural variation. In your workshop experience:
- Irregular shapes are celebrated, not corrected
- Uneven textures add character
- "Mistakes" become unique features
- Kiln firing creates unpredictable variations ("keshiki" or landscapes)
- Each piece tells the story of its creation
Visiting Information
Operating Hours:
- Friday-Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (full day)
- Tuesday-Wednesday: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (afternoon only)
- Closed: Wednesdays
Access from Fukae Area: 20-25 minutes by car along coastal roads to Sakurai area
Pricing:
- Adults: ¥3,000
- Children: ¥1,800
- Minimum age: 3 years old
Contact:
- Phone: 080-5280-0481
- Email: rywbn645@yahoo.co.jp
- Booking: https://itonowa.rezio.shop/en-US
Reservation: Advance booking strongly recommended (1-2 weeks ahead for November visit)
Facilities:
- Parking available near Nishiura Elementary School
- Family-friendly environment
- Indoor workshop space
Completion: Fired works ready 1-2 months after workshop; available for pickup or shipping
The Experience
Workshop Process
Preparation (10-15 minutes):
- Arrive punctually
- Wear comfortable clothing you don't mind getting dirty
- Instructor provides apron
- Introduction to studio, tools, and clay
Instruction (15-20 minutes):
- Instructor demonstrates technique
- Explanation of clay properties and shaping principles
- Hand-wheel or slab-building methods shown
Creation (30-60 minutes):
- Create 1-3 pieces depending on experience
- Choose from 12 types of glazes
- Instructor provides gentle guidance
- Work at your own pace
Completion (10-15 minutes):
- Clean workspace thoroughly
- Select glazes and finishes
- Arrange pickup or shipping
- Express gratitude: "Arigato gozaimasu"
What You Can Create
- Tea bowls (yunomi/chawan)
- Small plates or dishes
- Cups or mugs
- Simple vases
- Decorative objects using slab-building
Expect and embrace asymmetry and imperfection—central to wabi-sabi aesthetic.
Practical Visiting Tips
Cultural Etiquette
Studio Behavior:
- Remove shoes if there's a genkan entrance
- Simple bow and "Konnichiwa" upon arrival
- Handle all tools with respect
- Ask before touching anything
- Keep noise to minimum
- Turn phone to silent
Communication:
- Limited English; instructor demonstrates through gesture
- Translation apps acceptable for questions
- Genuine interest transcends language barriers
Photography
Always ask first: "Shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?"
- No flash photography
- Focus on your own work and process
- Don't photograph other participants without consent
- Social media: blur identifiable faces
What to Bring
- Apron (instructor may provide)
- Hand towel
- Hair ties for long hair
- Change of clothes if concerned about clay
- Camera or phone (after asking permission)
November Visit Highlights
Excellent Timing:
- Off-peak season (after October Craft Fes)
- Quieter workshops with personal attention
- Easier to secure reservations than spring/summer
- Comfortable indoor workspace (climate-controlled)
- Pleasant weather for combining with nearby Sakurai Futamigaura visit
Recommended Half-Day Plan:
- 10:00 AM: Itonowa pottery workshop (1.5 hours)
- 11:30 AM: Browse gallery, select glazes
- 12:00 PM: Drive to Sakurai Futamigaura (5 minutes)
- 12:15 PM: Explore white torii and couple rocks (30 minutes)
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at nearby coastal cafe
Visitor Reviews: Overall rating 4.1/5 based on 17 reviews; praised for welcoming environment for beginners 🔗
Location: Itonowa Pottery, Sakurai, Itoshima
Source: attractions/itoshima/itonowa-pottery.md