Ohwada-san has never held his private exhibition. Customers who happened to know his works by word of mouth bought them because they like the works. He has been keeping good company with his customers for many years. He makes mainly Japanese tableware, incense burners and Japanese powdered tea cups. When he had a large order, he often stayed up all night for two or three days. He can make 60 units for one day if he tries. But he doesn't do that to finish his works after he had an order. Other than the ceramic art, he has some hobbies, such as "vine artworks" and "paintings". Some of his vine artworks by which we were impressed are a globe-like globe having about 1 meter in height and 80 centimeters in width, and a basket utilizing a curve and softness of vines. He make vine works as his hobby, not for sale.
Ohwada-san said to us,
"Would you like to try?"
We answered,
"Yes, we would like to."
Immediately we started to make a teacup. We put on a jacket which Ohwada-san brought us not to get dirt. Now it's time to turn a potter's wheel.
1.Making a foundation and core.
Since this process is difficult for a beginner, Ohwada-san made it for us. In a moment, a round-shaped clay was changed to a foundation. We were impressed to see that the shape was changed exactly as it was touched by Ohwada-san's hands.
2.Forming
We were to form a cup using the foundation by ourselves. We pressed the center of the foundation as Ohwada-san taught us. However, we couldn't recess the center first because the clay was harder than expected. When I pressed it stronger, the clay was changed to a cup.
3.Changing the thickness
We adjusted the thickness of the cup by two fingers. Just a touch deformed the shape. We were panic by the change of the shape with the turn of the potter's wheel.
4.Separating the cup from the potter's wheel
With an Ohwada-san's help, we managed to adjust the shape of the cup. We were to separate the cup-shaped clay from the potter's wheel. To separate it, we used a string of 30 cm with a stick in one side. With the turn of the potter's wheel, we separated the cup using the string. As we felt the weight of the clay, the work was very difficult for us though it finished in a second. Lastly, we moved up the cup with a pallet and put on a stand.
When we saw the cup, we were satisfied with it. We said, "We did a good job!".... But, later when we saw other students' works, we thought that we had to learn a lot. Among the students' works, there are a large dish and leaf-shaped dish. Each work is beautiful. Ohwada-san also showed us his works. Other than teacups and dishes, he has a variety of works, such as a doll. The type of his Japanese tableware has a wide range from basic style to unique one. His ceramic dolls are finely made.
At Ohwada-san's house, we had a very valuable experience such as turning the potter's wheel. We also met his dogs, Gin-chan & Ume-chan, and his squirrel, Goemon-chan. When we got into the house, Ume-chan and Gin-chan welcomed us. Goemon-chan who had been running without looking at me at first got used to us gradually and we were impressed that finally he took his food from our hands. Today, we had a very interesting experience and wonderful meeting.