Chawan-making workshop and tea ceremony experience

This masterclass offers a rare opportunity to delve into the tradition of Japanese tea ceramics through the making of chawans: bowls used in the centuries-old ritual of the tea ceremony.

Guided by Bizen ceramicist Taiga Mori, participants will learn to hand-build chawans using techniques rooted in Bizen traditions.

Bizen pottery is one of Japan’s oldest and most important styles. Its earthy, unglazed surfaces and wood-fired finish reflect a deep respect for natural materials, imperfection, and the beauty of flame and ash.

The practice is tied to wabi-sabi: simplicity, impermanence, and the quiet beauty of natural imperfections. This aesthetic runs through the entire process, from shaping the clay to the ritual of drinking tea.

Every element of the chawan—its curve, foot, rim, interior, and the placement of the potter’s mark—has a purpose. Every shape and proportion responds to an intention in which beauty emerges from function and ritual.

Taiga-san will also share the cultural context of Bizen pottery and explain the firing process that gives it its distinctive character. We’ll explore the historical and spiritual meaning of the tea ceremony in Japan, and how these bowls connect people with nature, tradition, and mindfulness.