Aug. 19, 2020 UPDATE
Kyoto Ceramic Art Association official Shop & Gallery - Kyoto Ceramic Center - 京都陶磁器会館 -
Traveler Friendly
They have English speaking staff and brochures in English and Chinese, and they are friendly toward tourists so you should have no worries going to the center.
Information
Basic English
Languages spoken
English
4231 50 7.0 1 reviews
Aug. 19, 2020 UPDATE

Kyoto Ceramic Art Association official Shop & Gallery - Kyoto Ceramic Center

- 京都陶磁器会館 -
Traveler Friendly
They have English speaking staff and brochures in English and Chinese, and they are friendly toward tourists so you should have no worries going to the center.
Information
Basic English
Languages spoken
English
4231 50 7.0 1 reviews
Story & Recommendation
See, touch, and feel Kyoto’s charm at the home of pottery in Kiyomizu at Kyoto Ceramic Center
The area around Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a town of pottery. To this day many Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki pottery producers and artists have kilns in this area and keep producing pottery. Kyoto Ceramic Center is located at the home ground of pottery in Kiyomizu, and they exhibit and sell Kyo-yaki pottery. Kyo-yaki means pottery made in Kyoto, but there are no definite rules about the design styles so the artist’s personality is strongly reflected on the work. This is why it’s hard to say in few words what makes these carefully made works of art so alluring. Kyoto Ceramic Center was started by people who love Kyo-yaki to let more people know about the charm, culture, and history of Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki. From master craftsmen to young artists, all kinds of artists have their wares on display and on sale. It would be easy to send a long time here just looking at the wares. The building has a glass curtain wall so a lot of daylight gets in, making the Kyo-yaki pottery made by hand look even more alluring. If you go near Kiyomizu-dera Temple, please visit Kyoto Ceramic Center so you can get to know more about the pottery synonymous with Kiyomizu.
1Highlight
All kinds of Kyo-yaki wares are on display in the first floor, from those made by veterans to those made by young artists
All kinds of Kyo-yaki wares are on display in the first floor, from those made by veterans to those made by young artists
The first floor is a space where you can see Kyo-yaki you can only see in Kyoto. The biggest charm of this place is that you can see works made by veteran and young artists, like big sake cups called “guinomi,” flower vases, even accessories, different strokes for different folks. By the way all of these artworks can be bought. Let’s cherish Kyoto together, either by buying some Kyo-yaki, or by just looking, either way, have fun!
2Highlight
See works of art made by master craftsmen in the traditional way
See works of art made by master craftsmen in the traditional way
At Kyoto Ceramic Center they periodically exhibit and sell artwork made by master craftsmen of Kyo-yaki. This rice bowl in the picture was made by the 5th generation owner of the Miura Chikusen pottery producer. This rice bowl is a gold-painted porcelain bowl with elaborate vermilion and gold patterns that are one of the specialties of Miura Chikusen. This piece of artwork is quite expensive so normally it’s inside a showcase, but if you ask the staff they can let you hold it in your hands.
3Good Experiences
A Kyo-yaki craftsman will make Kyo-yaki in right in front of you!
A Kyo-yaki craftsman will make Kyo-yaki in right in front of you!
At Kyoto Ceramic Center they also have events and workshops where craftsmen make pottery right in front of you. They invite artists working in Kyoto to the center, and the artists use a potter’s wheel to make pottery in front of your eyes. Here you can listen to the artisans talk while they make pottery, and sometimes you can even touch the clay that is the material pottery is made out of. This is truly a hands-on event where you can look, hear, and touch (sometimes you cannot touch).
4Good Experiences
Let’s buy pottery accessories!
Let’s buy pottery accessories!
It’s not only pottery that is exhibited and sold at Kyoto Ceramic Center. They also sell accessories like pendants and broaches. The pendants in the picture were made from pottery scraps. The vivid colors and patterns are Japan-like and pretty, and the price is also reasonable. The pendants have a different design on the front and back. I recommend this as a present for yourself, your lover or your friends. Buy pottery accessories as a memory of your trip!
- Manner & Tips -

・Please don’t take photos inside the center
・Don’t talk in a loud voice
・Don’t eat or drink inside the exhibition room

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