ICAN
Private ceramics Tour of Japan
June 11-21, 2023 (Kyoto)
June 21-23, 2023 (Tokyo)
Kyoto, Shigaraki, Bizen, Tokyo
Custom Escorted Group Tour
ICAN Ceramics Tour of Japan
Our Japan Ceramics Tour is designed for enthusiasts, potters and anyone interested in the art of Japan. On this journey we’ll discover the beauty of both the lush countryside and the incredible ceramics of Japan. Joining our Japan-based art and ceramics expert and guide, Keiko Kamei, your guide, will be guest lecturer
Robert Yellin, one of the foremost experts on Japanese Ceramics. The focus of this introductory tour is to learn about the wide range of Japanese ceramics and how ceramics is such an integral part of all of the arts of Japan, including cha no yu (tea ceremony), ikebana, kaiseki, and more. We cover the range from traditional to contemporary to sculptural ceramics in a fast-paced 8 days in Kyoto. With such a talented team you’ll return home with an education in ceramics, from mingei pottery to high-fired, low-fired, glazed and unglazed yakishime.an.
If you have one teapot
And can brew your tea in it
That will do quite well.
How much does he lack himself
Who must have a lot of things?
Sen no Rikyū (1522-1591)
Custom Ceramics of Western Japan Tour Highlights
φ Visit the great pottery centers of Shigaraki, Bizen and Tamba, all from our central base in Kyoto.
φ Explore the unique styles of Japanese pottery and learn about both traditional and contemporary ceramics.
φ Be guests in potters' studios, where you will hear about their lives and their art.
φ Gain an understanding of the role of Ceramics in Japanese life and history and how ceramics still plays a major role in all the arts of Japan, including kaiseki, ikebana, tea ceremony and more.
φ See the work of non-ceramics artists and craftsman in Kyoto and learn about how the concept of mastery is an integral part of the culture of Japan.
φ Visit small towns full of artisans still working with traditional materials in both ancient and innovative ways.
Custom Private Ceramics Group Daily Itinerary
Day 1
Depart Home
Depart for Japan on your individually arranged flight.
Day 2
Arrive Japan
Arrive Osaka Kansai airport. You will be met and transferred by reserved van shuttle to your hotel.
Accommodations: Western-style hotel
Day 3
Kyoto
Start today with a slide introduction to Japanese porcelain and stoneware ceramics, tracing its historical development, including Chinese and Korean influence. Afterwards, spend the rest of the morning at Daitokuji Zen monastery, for a private experience of the Way of Tea with the abbot of Zuihoin sub-temple, an introduction to their extensive tea bowl collection and a discussion of how the ceramic history of Japan is so closely tied to the tea ceremony. Following lunch, proceed to a stop at the gallery of one of the foremost experts on Japanese ceramics.
Accommodations: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5
Kyoto
Explore the Gion area, including the Kennin-ji monastery and gardens, followed by a walking tour of the nearby Kyoto traditional ceramics district, including the Kiyomizu Rokubei family generational museum, the Kondo Yuzo museum and a visit to the home of a renowned celadon master. Learn about the 300-year old Ninsei and Kenzan styles. Return to the center of Kyoto to visit a current ceramics show. Tonight dinner will be on your own.
Accommodations: Royal Park THE Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 6
Bizen
Today we head to Okayama prefecture for a visit to the Bizen Pottery Village in Imbe. Rob will lead us on an exploration of the various tunnel kilns and artists still practicing the centuries old art of creating these unique reddish or brown-colored, unglazed works. We will learn about the six major variations of Bizenware and how they are created through the careful placement of the objects in the kiln.
Accommodations: Royal Park THE Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 7
Kyoto
Start the day with an ikebana demonstration showing ceramic vases by a master teacher in the Sogetsu Ikebana school. Next travel to the Raku Museum and follow that with a visit to the Kawai Kanjiro house. Lunch will be in a Zen-style vegetarian restaurant set in a lovely old house near Kiyomizu temple. After a visit to a contemporary ceramic mingei artist, the rest of the afternoon will be free for exploring Kyoto on your own or using Esprit’s complimentary shopping map. Take an optional early evening walking tour with your tour leader of the Gion geisha district before dinner on your own.
Accommodations: Royal Park THE Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8
Kyoto
Start the day at one of Kyoto’s quiet garden for a reflective moment. Enjoy a demonstration of Senchakai, the leaf tea ceremony at a private restaurant, with an introduction to Sencha ceramics. The proprietor of Kyoto’s oldest inn and garden, located facing the Takano River, will do a presentation on how the various styles of dishes are used in the presentation of a Japanese Kaiseki meal. The rest of the afternoon will be free for exploring Kyoto on your own or using Esprit’s complimentary shopping map.
Accommodations: Royal Park THE Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 9
Shigaraki
On today’s out-of-town excursion by private bus to Shiga prefecture, we will visit the Sagawa Museum of Art, a beautiful contemporary architectural site which has devoted a special underground wing to the spectacular work of 15th generation Raku potter, Raku Kichizaemon IV. We’ll enjoy a Japanese bento lunch en route and will visit the studios of a selection of ceramic artists and kiln tours with commentary provided by Rob Yellin. Return to Kyoto by early evening.
Accommodations: Royal Park THE Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 10
Kyoto
Today is devoted to a series of visits carefully selected by Rob Yellin to highlight contemporary ceramic artists in the Kyoto area. End the day with a farewell dinner.
Accommodations: Royal Park THE Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11
Depart for home
Transfer by reserved van shuttle, per individual flight times, for your pre-arranged return flight from Osaka Kansai or Osaka Itami Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4
Tamba
Travel to the town of Tamba to start the exploration of ceramics with visits to the studios and kilns of some local ceramic artists in addition to the local ceramics museum. Tamba-ware originated in the medieval period, and is typically a style used for storage jars and vases and it is also famous for its sake bottles. Rob Yellin will put the artists you are visiting in context so that you will have a deeper appreciation of this type of Yakishime, high-fired unglazed stoneware. After our return to Kyoto we will have a group dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodations: Royal Park THE Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6
Bizen
Today we head to Okayama prefecture for a visit to the Bizen Pottery Village in Imbe. Rob will lead us on an exploration of the various tunnel kilns and artists still practicing the centuries old art of creating these unique reddish or brown-colored, unglazed works. We will learn about the six major variations of Bizenware and how they are created through the careful placement of the objects in the kiln.
Accommodations: Royal Park THE Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 9
Shigaraki
On today’s out-of-town excursion by private bus to Shiga prefecture, we will visit the Sagawa Museum of Art, a beautiful contemporary architectural site which has devoted a special underground wing to the spectacular work of 15th generation Raku potter, Raku Kichizaemon IV. We’ll enjoy a Japanese bento lunch en route and will visit the studios of a selection of ceramic artists and kiln tours with commentary provided by Rob Yellin. Return to Kyoto by early evening.
Accommodations: Royal Park THE Kyoto
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 4
Tamba day Trip
Travel by private bus to the town of Tamba to start the exploration of ceramics with a visit to the studio and kilns of some local ceramic artists, with ceramics lecture en route. Tamba ware originated about 800 years ago, and was historically a style used for storage jars, vases and sake bottles. For the past 450 years, Tamba has also produced fine ware for the tea ceremony and serving food. Our guest leaser will put the artists you are visiting in context so that you will have a deeper appreciation of this type of yakishime, high-fired unglazed stoneware. Some of the artists have introduced glazed work into their pallets. After our return to Kyoto we will have a group dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodations: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5
Shigaraki Day Trip
On today’s out-of-town excursion by private bus to Shiga prefecture we will visit Sagawa Museum of Art, a beautiful contemporary architectural site which has devoted a special underground wing to the spectacular work of 15th generation raku potter, Raku Kichizaemon IV. We’ll enjoy a Japanese bento lunch en route and will visit the studios and kilns of a selection of ceramic artists with commentary provided by Rob. End the day at the stunning mountainside Miho Museum, designed by I.M. Pei. Return to Kyoto by early evening.
Accommodations: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6
Kyoto
Today is a free day. Those who are interested can go with their guide on a day trip to nearby Osaka for a visit to the Osaka Museum of Oriental Ceramics. You may also want to stay in Kyoto this day to enjoy local sights to prepare to the following travel days.
Accommodations: Western-style hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12
Tokyo
Today we head out early by train to Bizen where we will visit the largest anagama kiln in the world to be followed immediately by an introduction to one or two artists working with the 800-year old Bizen-style, yakishime, unglazed ware, featuring a half-dozen warm and vibrant distinctive styles that are all achieved without application of glaze. We end the day in Osaka with a farewell dinner.
Accommodations: Western-style Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13
Depart for home
Transfer by Airport Limousine Bus service to Osaka Kansai Airport to depart Japan on your individually arranged flights; or transfer on your own to Kyoto or Tokyo for onward travel.
Meals: Breakfast
Pricing
For more information about current pricing for an itinerary like this, please contact us directly.
During an initial phone call or exchange by email we try to get a feel for what kind of trip and services you are looking for, your dates, your style of travel, your budget and any special needs and interests which we can accommodate. Based on that initial information, we give you a Sketch Itinerary outlining a route, types of accommodations, and other services we can provide. After getting your feedback, the Sketch Itinerary is revised if necessary and we are now able to give you a ballpark price.
The estimated price that you will be quoted will include the actual cost of the services: hotels, transportation, guides, tours etc, plus a tour planning fee. This fee includes all the expenses involved in making the arrangements (e.g., phone, fax, FedEx and currency transfer fees) and our time in making your arrangements. Please note that all trips are quoted and sold a package basis. We cannot provide detailed cost breakdowns.
Note: The itinerary(s) will be finalized approximately 30 days prior to departure. Artist visits are subject to availability and the schedules of our Japanese colleagues. A final itinerary will be sent to you about two weeks prior to departure. The itinerary and visits are subject to change at any time.
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