EI THINZAR KO

A three-day study trip to Hasami Town, Nagasaki Prefecture As a second-year student studying abroad at Nagasaki Junior College, I went on a three-day study trip to Hasami Town with my teachers, friends, and students from other universities as part of a cultural exchange before graduating.

Training content for the first day Hasami Town is famous for its ceramics industry. The history of ceramics dates back about 400 years. Pottery used to be fired using firewood, as can be seen from the remains of a chimney you can see when you enter the town. The chimney remains intact to this day.

First, we learned about the pottery manufacturing process at "TAKAYAMA" in Hasami Town. We learned that "TAKAYAMA" currently uses the latest gas kilns to fire ceramics over a period of 22 hours. We were able to observe and learn how the ceramics are painted and glazed in a very orderly manner, resulting in a beautiful and careful finish.

For lunch, we made our own pizza. It was my first time making and eating pizza myself, and it was also my first time seeing pizza being baked in a wood-fired oven.

After lunch, we had the opportunity to try making pottery. It was my first time, so I was a little nervous about whether I could do it, but thanks to the teacher's careful and enthusiastic guidance, I was able to complete a small vessel made with my own hands in the end.

I got to see the perseverance of the people who actually make pottery, and the careful attention they take to prevent the pieces from breaking. Even just having this experience on the first day of training left me deeply impressed and respectful of the artisans' delicate creativity.

Day 2 First of all, I had the opportunity to visit a museum that introduces the history and culture of Hasami Town, Nagasaki Prefecture. The moment I entered the museum, I felt a warm sensation, as if I had been invited into a home, rather than just a museum. In fact, the museum was created by renovating the home of a man named Hasami Moto.

Inside the museum, the flow of culture through the ages and Hasami ware from past generations were on display. There were easy-to-understand explanations, so it was very easy to understand. There was also a model of a dinosaur skull on display.

Afterwards, we visited a factory that makes food replicas, which are often seen in restaurants in Hasami Town. There, we had the experience of making our own mini parfait food replica. The store had a variety of food replicas on display, and the moment we entered, we were amazed by the innovative and beautiful creations.

Just by visiting this shop, I learned about the techniques of making food samples and had the experience of actually making them, and I felt a sense of respect and admiration for the efforts and skills of each maker. The joy I felt when I held a sample of the mini parfait I had made was indescribable.

Afterwards, we returned to TAKAYAMA and had the experience of choosing and sticking our favorite stickers onto the ceramic plates and teacups that had already been prepared for us. There was a proper procedure for how to stick the stickers, and thanks to the teacher's patient and careful instruction, the teacups that we completed with our own hands became treasures that will stay with us forever as memories of Hasami Town pottery.

For lunch that day, we had boxed lunches prepared for us by TAKAYAMA's newly opened restaurant. After lunch, we walked to the banks of a small stream where the pottery and ceramics manufacturing industries that have supported the life of Hasami Town throughout its long history are testament to the town's history. There were so many ceramic shards scattered in the stream that it was an amazing sight that seemed to enhance the beauty of the stream.

　We showed the pottery fragments we had collected to the experts, who explained in detail what era and time each fragment was from. We were deeply impressed by the detailed explanation of the historical background and history of each piece, ranging from pieces over 1,600 years old, some about 800 years old, rare items, pieces from the Edo period, the Meiji period, and even pieces from relatively recent times. Through this experience, we were able to gain a deeper and clearer understanding of the history of Hasami Town.

　Afterwards, they chose a design they liked from the pottery fragments they had collected and returned to the rest area of ​​the TAKAYAMA company. Under the guidance of the company president, they used the pottery fragments to weave (braid) a string.

When I got home, I thought to myself, I would have really regretted not taking this trip. This was the first thought that came to my mind.

Day 3 The day started with the work of shaping pottery (called "rokuro" in Japanese). This is a craft technique in which you draw your favorite picture or pattern on the already shaped vessel before it becomes pottery (when the clay is still unfired).

This technique is one of the special traditional crafts in Hasami pottery making, and I was able to experience the molding process. It was so fascinating that I wanted to stay there and draw all day long.

In addition, we also painted the small cat figurine while it was still in the clay stage, when the ceramic shape was not yet complete. This is the process of adding color to ceramic pieces that have already been shaped.

After that, for lunch, I ate the Japanese-style noodle dish I made with fried food. I will never forget this experience. Usually, I just heat up ready-made noodle dishes and eat them, but it was the first time on this trip that I was able to see the process of making noodles right in front of me, make each dish with my own hands, and finally eat it.

　Finally, we had the opportunity to exchange opinions with Hasami town officials about the town's history and economic activity, as well as the types and differences of crafts in Japan and abroad. Through the three days of learning and experiencing the craft techniques in Hasami town, we have a deep respect and gratitude for the skills and spirit of the artisans.

The three-day study trip to Hasami Town was full of first-time experiences and I learned a lot. I owe this to the president and other people involved at TAKAYAMA Company in Hasami Town, as well as the local people and teachers. I would like to express my sincere gratitude.