The March Trial Residency - week 3
Week 3 was our last week and we had to get all pots painted, glazed and packed. Although we had a lot of work to do, our two residents Yoko and Mads seemed to enjoy beeing busy. It was such a joy seeing them designing their own pattern and painting one pot after the next.
DAY 15 (2026/3/16) Monday
DAY 16 (2026/3/17) Tuesday
DAY 17 (2026/3/18) Wednesday
Three extreemly busy days of painting. The table was packed with pots and the atmosphere very focused.
Yoko had brought along a wildlife guidebook with illustrations of Californian coyotes, which she used as inspiration for painting her bowls. She also created a pine motif, a little bird, and a flower painted without outlines. Although white and modern, her pieces have a warm, comforting feel. Bowls you’ll want to use every day. Discover more of her work on her website:
Mads focused on Australian plant life and also painted little dancing harlequins. Her brushwork was wonderfully detailed and playful. Take a look at her work on Instagram!
DAY 18 (2026/3/19) Thursday While the painted and glazed pots were getting fired we did a last excursion. This time we went to Arita. Our friend Yuko works a town guide so we asked her to show us around. First we visited Izumiyama, the porcelain quarry where the first porcelain stone in Japan was found in 1616 by a Korean potter.
After that we walked along the Tonbai-Wall, a wall build of old kiln bricks.
As there was a bit of time left before lunch, we went to see more old pots at a small museum.
This plate shows all the steps in the production of porcelain pots.
For today's lunch we chose Café Useum, because we love Chef Takaoka's vegan cuisine.
The afternoon ended with a factory tour at Kouraku Kiln, which was even larger than we expected.
Back in Hasami, we all took a short rest, because we still had one schedule at night: A farewell party at the Urabe family's house!
Kanpai!
Masami Urabe is not only a passionate hiker, but also a passionate cook.
After a wonderful dinner, the conversation went back to hiking. How wonderful would it bee to meet all for a hike in New Zealand... And what a wonderful night!
DAY 19 (2026/3/20) Friday
Finally we could pick up the last painted pieces from the kiln.
After having worked long hours for three weeks
After packing all pots carefully we went to Nishinohara for one last Ice Cream.
DAY 20 (2026/3/21) Saturday
Time to say goodbye
Thanky you for the wonderful time with you!
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