12th Edition of WAN wan ONE

The main exhibition of the 12th edition featured more than 100 tea bowls by local artists. Visitors enjoyed viewing a wide range of works. Few other events bring together tea bowls by so many artists in one place, making the WAN wan ONE Exhibition a valuable experience for anyone interested in Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki.

An exhibition on the second floor of a historic machiya townhouse featured more than 50 distinctive guinomi and ochoko sake cups. Just as with wine, the vessel can change how sake tastes, allowing buyers to enjoy the artists’ creations through several senses.

A tea gathering was held in a beautiful tea house tucked away on the grounds of Kyoto National Museum. At the 12th edition’s gathering, guests had a rare opportunity to handle tea bowls made by leading craftspeople. Tea utensils normally made from bamboo were specially made in ceramic for this gathering. Small implements such as tea scoops are extremely difficult to make in ceramic, making these works particularly unusual.

Pottery by local eighth- and ninth-grade students was exhibited in a historic climbing kiln. To help nurture interest in this important craft tradition, the WAN wan ONE Exhibition is proud to offer young students a space to exhibit their work.

Last year marked the first chapter of the Legends Exhibition series, featuring works by craftspeople who shaped artistic trends in the Gojozaka and Chawanzaka area. This exhibition focused on artists active in the early Showa period.

An evening event at the Yuzo Kondo Memorial Museum brought together leading local artists and experts in the area’s traditions to discuss the history and culture of Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki. After the talks, participants had an opportunity to mingle over light refreshments and snacks.

The 12th edition’s ikebana exhibition was a great success, attracting many visitors. The vivid, organic flowers contrasted with the workshop’s rugged angles and earthy colors.

The annual festival honoring Shoki, the deity who guards Kyoto’s rooftops, was held. Young local musicians performed alongside a dance depicting Shoki defeating evil spirits. The woman portraying Shoki is an expert on this local guardian deity, who is also a central motif in her work.

Last year, a workshop organized by students of Kyoto University of the Arts was held in a historic climbing kiln. Participants enjoyed designing their own chopstick rests with easy-to-use ceramic markers.

An exhibition of pottery by the Shimizu family was held in a machiya townhouse on Gojo Street. Works from successive generations were displayed, allowing visitors to discover differences in each generation’s style.

NOHGA HOTEL, which actively collaborates with local pottery events, also took part in WAN wan ONE. In the restaurant, guests enjoyed delicious sweets served in vessels made by ceramic artists. Various vessels were displayed in the lobby, where an informal tea gathering was also held, allowing guests to enjoy Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki in a relaxed atmosphere.

A workshop was held at Kyoto University of the Arts, giving participants a valuable opportunity to create an original piece of their own. The coiling technique does not require a potter’s wheel, so even beginners could readily take part and enjoy a rewarding experience.

Works by the renowned ceramic artist Yuichi Ikai were displayed in a recently renovated shop. In this stylish space, visitors could find and buy a piece to suit them, from tiny dishes to large vases.

Works by young artists were displayed in a stylish cafe on Gojo Street. Visitors could view and purchase the pieces while enjoying matcha and hojicha drinks and sweets.

Last year, an event marking the 120th anniversary of the birth of the celebrated Japanese film director Yasujiro Ozu was held alongside the 12th edition. It highlighted works by master ceramic artists of the Showa period that appeared in Ozu’s films. These works were displayed in Tosai’s shop alongside screenshots of the film scenes in which they appeared.