EI THINZAR KO

Two-Day Study Trip to Hasami Town

As an international student, I had the opportunity to participate in a two-day study trip to Hasami Town for the second time. Hasami Town is the birthplace of Hasami ware, a traditional Japanese ceramic with a history spanning over 400 years. This experience allowed me to see and experience the techniques of Hasami ware firsthand. It was a valuable opportunity to experience the intricate craftsmanship and the profound depth of Japanese culture.

Hasami ware is known throughout Japan for its thin, clean-looking white porcelain, which combines traditional techniques with contemporary design.

Day 1

First, we experienced traditional Japanese soba noodle making. The process of making our own noodles from wheat flour was incredibly exciting. Although I had previously learned about it in a previous class, I was a little nervous this time, as I'd managed it successfully with the help of my friends. However, thanks to the instructor's careful, step-by-step instruction, including adjusting the proportions of water and flour and how to roll the noodles by hand, I was able to fully understand the intricate techniques of soba noodle making. It also allowed me to truly appreciate the secret to the deliciousness of traditional Japanese soba.

After lunch, we visited a ceramics factory in Hasami Town. There, we were able to see how ceramics are manufactured using the latest machinery. We were able to closely observe the entire process, from preparing the ingredients, molding, firing, decorating, and painting, all taking place step by step until the finished product is ready.

We also had the opportunity to see the process from product quality inspection to packaging and shipping. Hasami has installed the latest kiln equipment, which allows for precise control of the required temperature and firing time.

Finally, the children chose their favorite plates and cups and participated in a painting workshop. They were able to freely paint their own designs onto the unpainted unglazed pottery, and are looking forward to the day when they receive their finished creations.

On the second day, we started off by visiting the Hasami Town Museum.

The museum preserves and exhibits the history of Hasami Town, the history of its ceramics industry, local culture and scholarship, and the cultural background of the town as a whole, and is open to the public for learning and experiencing.

　Furthermore, the museum is an important learning space for researchers and tourists, and plays an important role in passing on and preserving Hasami Town's traditional culture to future generations. The intricate ceramic models on display and the materials introducing history through each era were also very interesting.

After touring the museum, the group had the opportunity to try out the molding process, a key step in ceramic production, and learn about the process from start to finish.

　They were able to choose the shape of plates, cups, etc. to suit their tastes and work with their own hands to ensure the finished product was beautiful.

　Afterwards, we also took part in an experience of making food samples, one of Japan's famous crafts. This food sample workshop in Hasami Town is a very interesting spot for tourists, and we were amazed to learn in detail about the techniques used to make such lifelike replicas. We also had the opportunity to experience making our own parfait samples.

This marked the end of our two-day study trip to Hasami Town. Filled with historical sites, traditional crafts, and memorable experiences, Hasami Town feels like a town where visitors can create their own memories.