A Day in Japan Mr. Minoru Fukuda`s Pottery Studio

A Day in Japan
By Travis Bussey Stolk
First stop
Mr. Minoru Fukuda’s Pottery Studio
My host parents took me to Kasama City to try making some Japanese pottery. When
we arrived at Mr. Minoru Fukuda’s studio and museum the first thing that caught my
attention was the sign which state World’s Largest Vases. These vases were made by a
fifth generation potter; Minoru “Giemon” Fukuda, Master Potter. His family kiln is
located in the Kasama-shi region and is called the Kasama Pottery –Fukuda Kiln.
I am listening to Mr. Fukuda talk about Japan, pottery and history.
After we finished talking Mr. Fukuda and an apprentice took us out to the studio. She
showed us how the clay was kept and gave us a couple of chunks. We then sat down at
a table and they explained how to work the clay into items like mugs, traditional
Japanese plates and Saki dishes. They described how you can use newspaper, rocks or
other items to create different patterns in the clay. Mr. Fukuda explained that if we
made a mistake with the clay not to wad it back up or try to reuse that clay as it will
crack and not hold together in the firing.
We proceeded to try our hand at making pottery.
Here are two apprentices also working clay at the studio.
Here my host mother and I are making several items to be fired in the kiln.
In the background are the large vases which are inspiring to those trying to learn.
My host mother’s items; two saucers, two cups and a rice bowl.
Most Japanese try to make useful items for the household.
My items included one Saki cup, a mug and candy dish.
Our pottery was finished. It was not as clean and stylish as Mr. Fukuda but then for my first
try the pottery pieces were at least usable and that is the concept behind Kasama pottery. Mr.
Fukuda was an extremely patient and generous person as he not only showed me his craft but
gifted me with a small bowl that he had made.
They were colored by the use of different glazes that are exclusive to Mr. Minoru
Fukuda’s studio. All are done in earthy tones from natural substances that are mixed
together. This is a signature of Fukuda studio pottery. Mr. Minoru Fukuda is more a
traditional potter schooled in the old ways; however, he is very well respected for his
glazes and his use of simple lines. He lives in a traditional home behind the shop and
pottery studio complete with a family shrine.
There is also a World’s Pottery Museum on the property which we visited.
Several generations of his family has collected pottery from places around the world
including Germany, France, Italy, Australia and Africa. He had Aztec pottery, Incan
pottery and several other pieces from ancient civilizations in the museum.
This was just a small area of Mr. Minoru Fukuda’s collection in his family’s museum. He
travels extensively to research pottery and constantly adds new pieces.
Our next stop
The Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum
The museum is located on a hilltop of Kasama Geijyutsu-no-mori Park. (Arts Park) It
contains traditional crafts and avant-garde creative pieces and was built as a place for
everyone to enjoy. Inspiration, Enlightenment and Amusement are the three keywords
in the museums’ management.
The history of Kasama ware and trends in ceramic art in Ibaraki Prefecture are
highlighted as it is the only prefectural ceramic art museum in eastern Japan. Kasama
pottery has a tradition dating back over 200 years.
My host father and I are looking thru granite sculptures; the granite was from a local
rock quarry where the Museum of Stones is sited.
Inside the Ibaraki Ceramic Art museum there are several areas with one dedicated to
works by artists who have received the Order of Cultural Merit and the Holders of
Important Intangible Cultural Properties; these artists are considered Living National
Treasures. Other areas have revolving exhibits with contemporary and foreign artists.
The Japanese government designates persons or groups who are masters of activities
that preserve and succeed at traditional skills and techniques of intangible cultural
properties such as the arts and music. There are several chronological display galleries
and a special Exhibition Gallery for foreign artists and domestic ceramic arts and craft
style art. There are also classrooms and interactive displays for learning the methods
and styles of pottery in the Ibaraki prefecture.
My host mother and I walk in the mall area surrounded by museum shops.
I am standing in front of a traditional brick kiln located at the Ibaraki Ceramic Art
Museum.
It is used to fire pottery for visiting potters, teacher and students.
Last stop of a very busy day.
The Museum of Stones
By the 100th Anniversary
The Museum of Stones is located just outside Kasama city in the Ibaraki prefecture. It is
located at the base of the Rokko Mountain. Upon looking at the mountain behind the
museum one can see the stones and rocks are layered and clean. The rice field stone is
white granite and has been mined for over 100 years.
This granite is used to build, layer roadways and for sculpture.
My host mother and I are walking around the building. The wall surface is of the rice
field stone granite and is arranged into a cedar twill pattern. This building was a
mansion for over 100 years and has now been turned into a museum of mining in the
Ibaraki prefecture in the Kasama City area.
Data Corner Display area
Mineral Exhibition room
The museum is divided into several sections: 1) data entry corner which displays the
document and photographs regarding mining, buying and selling of granite since 1887;
2) the mining tool exhibition room which held the various instruments used during the
past 100 years; 3) the stones, rocks and minerals exhibition room which in addition to
the minerals from the Ibaraki prefecture also holds minerals of other places in Japan and
several Foreign countries.
Here I am exploring the large items in the stone yard. Several are made into squares
while others were sculpted into figures and fountains.
The color tone is clean and the granite is uniform being hard, but not weathered in
appearance and has good durability. It is produced in large quantity and is accessible.
This is a picture of the mountain of granite layers behind the museum.
This was one of many adventures I had while in Japan.
I would like to acknowledge and thank the Tanaka family for being so kind and to
thank my host father for taking a multitude of pictures.
Travis Bussey Stolk