Hello! My name is Takezawa, and I am the owner of ``Uchill, a pottery market that you can enjoy at home'' that sells pottery made by artists.
Since I participated in the Shigaraki Writers' Fair a year ago, I would like to write about the Shigaraki Writers' Fair this time based on my experience there.
It's a relatively compact event with one venue, so it's easy to go. However, traffic jams along the way are inevitable, so we recommend that you allocate your time with plenty of time.
What is Shigaraki Writer's City
Shigaraki Writer's City 2023
Date and time: May 2nd (Tuesday) to May 5th, 2023 (Friday/Holiday)
Time: 9:00-17:00
>Location: Shiga Prefectural Ceramics Forest “Taiyo Hiroba”
Shigaraki Writer's Market is held every Golden Week in Shigaraki Town, Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, which is well known as the production area of "Shigaraki Yaki".
This pottery market is an event that mainly sells the works of ceramic artists, and people come from outside the prefecture, and the scale seems to be growing every year.
Here we will introduce the notable artists who will be participating, how to get to the venue, and tips for enjoying the artist fair!
Shigaki Pottery City Featured Artists
At Shigaraki Writer's Market, a variety of handmade vessels and objects are on sale.
Among them, we would like to introduce some of the artists who are currently attracting attention.
Koichi Furuya (Furuya Pottery)
Mr. Furuya is the successor to Furuya Pottery. At Furuya Pottery, we use our own unique clay to create pottery with a simple and gentle appearance.
The relaxing patterns and colors unique to powdered fabrics, and the enveloping form will bring you relaxation in your hectic everyday life. No wonder it's so popular among women.
In order to be able to use the microwave, the product is baked at a high temperature twice. You can rest assured that it is of durable quality that can be used for a long time.
You can view Furuya Seisho's pottery here.
Furuya Pottery List Page
Togetsu Kiln (Masahiro Kubo)
The vessels made by Togetsugama are semi-porcelain vessels made from a mixture of Shigaraki clay and Amakusa porcelain clay.
The person who picks it up will be entertained by the heart-warming pattern and shape, and the texture and color of the glaze will create a chic atmosphere.
Perfect for women who want to make their dining table a little cute.
Easy to use on a daily basis, it can also be used in the microwave and dishwasher.
You can also view Togetsugama's utensils here.
Togetsu kiln list page
Usawa Hamiya
Hamiya, a married couple, creates pottery with the desire to create pottery that warms and soothes the soul.
We make containers for beautiful women who can live happily ever after.
It's painted to look like a flower garden and the gentle colors are appealing, and you'll feel happy when you see it on your dining table.
You can also view Hahamiya's pottery here.
Naoki Matsuo
Mr. Matsuo's works have a simple and elegant appearance, such as flower rings and rounded shapes.
I create ceramics with the desire to express something like the invisible warmth that exists within inorganic materials.
It has a warm clay-like appearance, and the texture that makes you feel relieved when you pick it up is one of its charms.
You can also view Naoki Matsuo's pottery here.
Domoto Pottery Studio (Masaki Domoto)
Domoto Pottery Studio trained for 13 years under Mr. Nobuo Furuya, who is famous for making powdered pottery, and then started his own kiln.
We use traditional glazes and value the presence of Shigaraki clay.
Although it has a straight, Japanese-style shape, the edges of the vessel are casually frilled, giving it a distinctive shape that appeals to women.
You can view Masaki Domoto's vessels here.
Masaki Domoto list page
Jun Fujiwara
Jun Fujiwara makes pottery in Shigaraki Town, Shiga Prefecture. As the fourth generation of the pottery factory, which started with my great-grandfather, we have been making objects and pottery.
The artist is so popular that there are many fans of his one-of-a-kind colored pottery, which is also called Fujiwara Blue, which has many layers of blue and gray, and tickets are entered into a lottery at his solo exhibition.
Bungorō kiln (Akira Okuda)
Bungorogama opened a kiln in Shigaraki in 1862, producing miscellaneous utensils for everyday use such as large pots, braziers, fire pits, and flower pots.
Akira Okuda's masterpiece, the "Reversible Series", is a delight to the eye with its interplay of black and white designs!
Easy-to-use containers that go well with both Japanese and Western styles can be used alone or in combination. It will make your dining table stylish and fun.
A gallery called Bungoro Soko is also operated.
Fukube kiln
Fukube Kiln, a husband and wife company in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture, makes pottery called Seiseki.
It is characterized by its three-dimensional and detailed painting using clay, and it has a somewhat retro atmosphere.
The plumply drawn flowers have a mature and cute charm that will complement your dining table with elegance and cuteness.
The work of vessels (Naoko Murakami)
Mr. Murakami runs a shop called "Utsu no Shigoto" and is also active as a writer.
It has a rough texture that makes use of the taste of organic soil, and also has an antique-like taste. Its design and size seem to fit comfortably in women's hands.
The works depicting nature in spring, summer, fall, and winter also have a nice, unpretentious atmosphere.
Taizo Yamamoto
After working as an automobile mechanic and graphic designer, Taizo Yamamoto began learning Shigaraki ware at the age of 27, and is currently making pottery in Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture.
What lies inside the simple pottery that Mr. Yamamoto makes is a gentle warmth and a startling vividness of color. Although it gives you a sense of luxury and a peaceful time, it is somehow humble and unassuming.
What is Shigaraki Writer's City? How do you enjoy it?
At the Shigaraki Artists' Market, you can see the unique works of artists, unlike the somber image of Shigaraki ware or the image of raccoon figurines!
Many artists other than Shigaraki ware are also participating, including popular artists who sell out quickly and artists who only exhibit at the pottery market.
Many of the artists exhibited do not sell their works by "mass production/distribution of goods in large quantities." There are limited ways to encounter and purchase the pottery that is made, such as at private exhibitions or through online shopping.
The biggest attraction of the Writer's Market is that you can encounter the works of so many artists.
The world view of each pottery is packed tightly together, so it will be an opportunity for you to discover your own tastes and discover new things.
You can also relax at the venue. You can also go straight to your favorites.
``Ceramic Forest'' where the Shigaraki Writer's Market is held.
This is a park with a spacious lawn, and is a very pleasant place in any season.
The plaza is surrounded by tents, and the works of artists are lined up in a row inside.
The venue is reasonably compact, and it takes about 2 to 3 hours to see the whole thing.
The excitement of knowing you might find your favorite work is truly an adventure and discovery!
It's a place rich in nature, so it would be fun to take a leisurely stroll around the venue.
Many of the pottery pieces are limited to a few pieces, so if you're thinking, ``I want to get my favorite pottery at the Shigaraki Artist Market!'', we recommend coming when the store opens.
If the artist you are looking for is extremely popular, it might be a good idea to stand by before the artist opens.
How much do the utensils sell for?
The price range of the pottery exhibited at the Shigaraki Artists' Market is often between 1,200 yen and 5,000 yen.
Of course, there are higher and lower prices!
One of the fun things is to consult with your wallet and steadily collect pottery.
Also, Shigaraki Artist Market sells not only pottery but also handmade goods, so you might be able to find what you want there!
Apple pie baked in a brick!
Apple pie baked in a brick oven.
It seems that they use the same bricks that are used in the kiln that fires Shigaraki ware.
Take a break and enjoy the piping hot, crispy pie!
What exactly is Shigaraki ware?
Shigaraki ware, one of Japan's six oldest kilns, is a pottery with a 1250-year tradition.
Shigaraki ware is known for its ``raccoon ornaments,'' and since ancient times it has been loved by many tea ceremony masters as not only daily necessities but also tea utensils.
Nowadays, it is widely used for interior decoration such as tiles, flowerpots, umbrella stands, and ornaments.
The soil for Shigaraki ware is about 4 million years old and was deposited in Lake Biwa.
These can withstand high temperatures and produce the warm, earthy texture and color that is characteristic of Shigaraki ware.
It is a pottery that is simple and allows you to feel the strength of nature.
Access
①Car
From the Keihanshin direction
Meishin Expressway Kusatsu JCT → Approximately 8 minutes from Shin-Meishin Expressway Shigaraki IC
From Nara/Wakayama direction
Nishimeihan Expressway → Approximately 30 minutes from Meihan National Highway Mibuno IC
From Nagoya direction
Higashi-Meihan Expressway Kameyama JCT → About 8 minutes from Shin-Meishin Expressway Shigaraki IC
A free parking lot is available at the Writer's Market.
Parking lot / Free (about 250 regular cars, about 10 large buses)
If you want to get into the parking lot without getting stuck in traffic, we recommend arriving at the parking lot by 10am.
After that, you can try to aim for the time between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, when the first people in the morning start leaving, but the route will be crowded.
②Train
At JR Kusatsu Station, transfer to the Kusatsu Line and get off at Kibukawa Station.
Transfer to the Shigaraki Kogen Railway and get off at Shigaraki Station, then walk 20 minutes.
③Bus
From Shigaraki Kogen Railway "Shigaraki Station", take the Koka City Community Bus "Togei no Morimae"
Or take the "Ceramic Forest (Togeikan-mae)" up and down the slope, about 5 minutes
Conclusion
Shigaraki Writer's Market is an event where you can enjoy the artist's world view, similar to a solo exhibition.
Please enjoy encountering pottery in the nature-filled "Ceramic Forest".
For those who can't go to the event.
Our store is based on the concept of "Enjoy the pottery fair while staying at home." We have selected "This person is!" from pottery fairs and craft fairs all over the country. We handle and sell works by artists who think,
We also carry works by artists participating in the Shigaraki Writer's City, so please take a look if you like.