On Sept. 14, a lovely, clear autumn Sunday, the 1st session of Yui’s Pottery Workshop was held. People came from Futaba-cho, Tomioka-cho and Naraha-cho in Fukushima, and people currently living in Tsukuba, Tsukuba residents and students from abroad also took part in this lively gathering.
More than half the participants this year had taken part last year, too, and we were delighted that they had come back this year with the determination to “create something better than last year!” For the 1st workshop, a cup and bowl were made using 2-piece gypsum molds. Two participants paired up and made a prototype, each using half the gypsum mold. For the cups, which were made first, sakura (cherry blossoms) motif nerikomi (A marbling technique) blocks that we, the staff, had prepared beforehand were used, and for the bowls, the participants created their own original clay slabs with pink clay and white clay, then shaped and pressed them into the molds. The two forms were joined together and a base was attached. The participants, when trying to come up with a pattern, enthusiastically discussed with neighboring pairs whom they had met for the first time. If any of them seemed to be having problems, the staff offered advice. The workshop was carried out in an atmosphere where there was continual and mutual communication. The participants let out a “Wow!” when the students did a demonstration; they told us in detail what parts they took special care to make right; they also spoke about their thoughts about their future. Through the making of the pottery wares, not just the cups and bowls, but the earthquake, the damages, the current life, the future, and many other things on many levels seem to come together. We, the staff, conducted meetings after meetings to discuss what we were going to do, what we wanted to do, and went about doing what we had to do to prepare for this workshop. Since each one of us did his/her job well, the 1st session turned out to be a success.　The next session is next week, Sunday, Sept. 21. We will put the glaze on the cups and bowls that were made on this day. I hope to make the next session as lively and fun, as well! (Noguchi, 3rd Year at School of Art & Design)

Sept. 28 (Saturday), the vessels were finally done! Everyone was a bit nervous about unloading their works from the kiln, but everyone was glad to see that every single one of them had turned out great.
At the lunch party, using the dishes that had just been finished, everyone had kenchin-jiru (Japanese tofu and vegetable soup) and onigiri rice balls made of Hojo rice. In the lively atmosphere, the students were able to talk directly with the participants about the conditions right after the earthquake, their current life in Tsukuba, their anxieties and outlook of the future and other concerns that they had.
Many wonderful comments and about what they would like to make next were heard. Our next agenda then would probably be passing on this project so that it may be held again. (Akagi)

On Sept. 22, the vessels still warm from the bisque-firing were taken out of the kiln, and we applied the glaze with the participants.
The students showed them how to apply the glaze and, although in the beginning they were rather cautious with the glaze, as they got used to it, they became more creative, and used a different color for the rim or drew designs. It is the students that need to be inspired by their creativity!
There were 3 colors of glazes this time. At this point, they all looked the same color, but beautiful colors will appear after the glost firing. Everyone is very much looking forward to the unloading of the kiln on the 28th. (Akagi)

Sept. 19, the well-dried vessels have been carefully placed in the kiln and the bisque-firing has begun.
Next, looking forward to applying the glaze on the 22nd! (Akagi)

On Sept. 8, the 2nd meeting of the Yui Project was held at Tsukuba University. Cups and bowls were created by pressing the clay into the molds created at the previous session.
The task was a bit difficult, such as cutting the clay into equal-size sheets, carefully removing the clay from the mold and adjusting the shapes, but everyone worked hard and seriously.
People cheered when the clay was removed from the molds, discussed with their partners when deciding on the shape of the cups and bowls, and finally when the bases were attached to them, the work was done. Each tableware is unique, but each one turned out to be a wonderful piece of work as the opening of the vessel matched perfectly with one’ partner’s.
When the clay is thoroughly dry, the process will continue with the bisque-firing, glazing and glost firing.
On the 28th, the final product will come out of the kiln. We are looking forward to the meal where everyone will be eating off the dishes that they have created.
(Akagi)

On September 1st, the first session of the Pottery of Yui Project was held at the University of Tsukuba. People who have moved to Tsukuba to live from places like Haramachi-ku and Odaka-ku in Minami-Soma City, Futaba-gun in the town of Futaba, and the towns of Nahara, Tomioka and Namie, as well as Iwaki City, participated in the project. The participants divided into two teams: those from Odaka-ku in Minami-Soma City, and those from Futaba and other places. They cooperated with each other to make the casts for the cups and bowls, and the two halves of the mold. The task was completed thanks to the cooperative communication between the supporting students and the participants.
For the second session on September 8th next week, the participants will use the molds they create to make cups and bowls. We are then planning to hold a lunch party on September 28th (Saturday), where everyone can use the pottery they’ve made to eat a meal with Hojo rice from Tsukuba. It was still very hot when we held the session, but the day was over before we knew it. When we want to create and shape something, we always need to discuss things and share advice with each other. This is true for making things from clay, as well as in other situations. The participants chatted naturally about their current situation, what it was like to evacuate, and of course the nuclear disaster. While sharing these stories, they experienced an out of the ordinary task of creation. I was very happy to hear them say they were having fun. The Hojo rice we will use at the lunch party will be sourced with the help of the students active in Hojo-ku, Tsukuba City, as members of “Crappe” (Facebook Crappe Diary.) (Saito)

Pottery of Yui Project: announcement
The CR “Yui” (community) team is organising a workshop for pottery making: ” Pottery of Yui Project.”
Have you ever tried pottery? Have you ever eaten off pieces of tableware you’ve made by yourself? Have you ever created things with people you met for the first time?
The Pottery of Yui Project consists of making pottery throughout 3 workshop sessions. The pottery made will trigger links between people. When the pieces are completed, we will also organise a meal.
Pottery seems interesting! I want to eat off a plate I made! What is the Pottery of Yui? If you are interested, please do not hesitate to participate.
For more details, click on the brochure image or email : yui.utsuwa@gmail.com
(akagi)