｢Visit to Kilns at Akazu｣and｢International Ceramic＆Glass Art Festival in Seto｣

As an event of "Seto Yakimono World Communication" (Yakimono means ceramics) during the time of
World EXPO 2005 from March 25 to September 25, 2005, "International ceramic & glass art Festival
in Seto" is held at Akazu area or "Seto Ceramics and Glass Art Center" around "Seto City
Cultural Center".
31 superior ceramists and glass writers (mainly from foreign countries) ,who have been invited by Seto
City in a program called "Artist in Residence" to produce pottery or glass work during stay in Seto City for
the past 5 years, have gathered at this festival, and their work are exhibited at "Seto City Art Museum".

"The 11th Visit to Kilns at Akazu area" is also held on April 9 & 10, 2005.

At Akazu area, a theme is decided every month during the time of World EXPO 2005, each one work which
each pottery highly recommend is exhibited.
The theme of April is "Breathing a sigh of relief - Teatime" .

≪Web page of "Akazu - Parents' Home of Kilns"≫

Using sites of the following pottery artists at Akazu area on Sunday, April 10, 2005, 6 artists among
the 31 make their pottery production in public. The meeting for the public production was made on
Saturday, April 9.

Tousaburo-gama kiln pottery (31st generation master of this pottery: Mr. Tosaburo Kato ;
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Web page writer, volunteer assisted to communicate between audience
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　and Mr. Brad, artist from the U.S.A. in public production at this pottery)
Akutsu-gama kiln pottery 　　(5th generation master of this pottery: Mr. Ikunari Miyachi)
Seto-gama kiln pottery　　　(22nd generation master of this pottery: Mr. Reikichi Kato)

It seemed to rain at any moment on Sunday, April 10, the weather kept through until the public production
was finished at about 4:00 p.m. And also, I was able to enjoy cherry trees in full blossom to the full.

What a gereous spirit and careful consideration those pottery artists have!

Mr. Reikichi Kato, 22nd generation master of Seto-gama kiln pottery guided us kindly into his special
exhibition room, and the work impressed me very much.

At Tousaburo-gama kiln pottery, which have been produing pottery since Kamakura Era (12th century),
I thoroughly enjoyed splendid pottery work in the gallery.

At Akutsu-gama kiln pottery, I was deply impressed with original or unique art objects in the gallery.

In the above potteries, we were treated to powdered green tea or coffee with pottery vessels produced
by the masters, which made us feel rich.

To my opinion, "Visit to Kilns at Akazu area" will be more atractive if powdered green tea or coffee
will be served with those masters' pottery vessel even with charge.

After the public production, I observed some potteries other than the above ones at Akazu area.
We usually can not recognize preciousness of pottery placed at showcase of pottery shop. I happened to
be explained of laborious and elaborate forming process to complete the work, and could recognize the
value. (Please see a photo of the work at "Togyokuken pottery shop".)

The gallery at the second floor of "Bizan Ceramic Art Classroom" located beside "Ohmatsu" crossing
was not opened this time. I met Mr. Teppei Terada, son of Mr. YasuoTerada, and was allowed to come in
the gallery and was favorably guided.

New discovery and impression are given whenever visiting.

The following photos show the situation on April 9 and 10, 2005:

Vessels for Raku-yaki ware under production (before lunch time)	Front of "Seto City Culture Center" (around lunch time)

Akutsu-gama kiln pottery (Mr. Khaled Ben Slimane from Tunisia　<center of left hand side photo> and vessel coffee are served with <right hand side photo>

Entrance of Seto-gama kiln pottery & Coffee cups under theme of April exhibited about 5m ahead of the entrance

Pottery wall made by Mr. Reikichi Kato at Seto-gama kiln pottery (left) & his work with its diameter about 30 cm (right hand side)

Ohmatsu crossing　 <Landmark of walking around Akazu area>	Guidepost of "Kaiyu-zaka" (or "Slope of Ash glaze")

Site of Tousaburo-gama pottery and a climbiing kiln <unused at present> & cherry tree (right hand side)

Public production by Mr. Brad - Stage 1 (left) and Stage 2 (right hand side)

Public production by Mr. Brad - Stage 3 (left) & Stage 4 (right hand side; completion)

Looking down to east from top of "Tetsuyu-zaka" (or "Slope of Iron glaze")	Guidepost of "Tetsuyu-zaka"

"Togyokuken pottery shop" "Ofuke-glazed vessel" (left) & "teacups with lid" (right hand side)

Single flower vase with the height of about 40 cm (left) & bowl for tea ceremony, etc. (right hand side) fired in the kiln at home by Mr. Sunakawa Yamauchi