City Guide
Our trip to Echizen
28 December, 2022
This year we got to take a day trip to Fukui Prefecture. We drove for hours to a sleepy seaside town called Echizen, where we learnt about the deep history of pottery in the area.
01
Drive to Echizen.In a little van we got taken to a dug-up field and learnt that it was the town’s clay source. They dig it up then take it to the local clay factory where it’s left to dry out. Then it goes through many manual steps until it’s ready to be dispersed to the ceramists of Echizen. Only the residents of this area have access to the clay.
02
Clay field.03
Clay drying out.Due to the natural metals in the earth, the clay has special properties that allow the craftspeople to make thinner style pottery that won’t crack when fired.
04
Clay is bagged up and disbursed through the community.05
Clay being processed.06
Opening the kiln.We were lucky enough to work with two different makers in Echizen to create our new speciality candle cups. Each one is hand built and fired using the special clay.