NAN MAY NAN SAN

Hasami Travel Guide

Hasami Town is a tourist destination famous for its pottery, Hasami ware.

Hasami ware boasts a history dating back to the Edo period, spanning approximately 400 years.

On the first day of my Hasami trip, my first stop was Takayama.

Before leaving, I had the chance to try some Japanese soba noodles, which I really enjoyed.

First, we visited TAKAYAMA's factory to see the many machines and facilities.

I was impressed by the way the craftsmen worked so carefully, one step at a time.

I also got to understand the processes and work flow required to complete my own creations.

The pottery making process begins by preparing the base of the molded piece.

The piece is then fired once at a low temperature of around 700-800°C.

If the piece is then colored, it is fired again at a high temperature of around 1300°C.

This process makes the piece strong and gives it a beautiful finish.

One day, the students had the opportunity to paint pottery they had made themselves.

It was their first time doing this, but they had a lot of fun painting their own unique designs.

The process of coloring their own pottery required concentration, and it was an experience that required a lot of thought.

On the second day, we had a lot of fun experiences.

Firstly, we all tried making pizza together. We spread sauce on the dough, topped it with toppings such as cheese, ham and vegetables as we liked, and baked it in the oven.

The pizzas we made ourselves were delicious.

　One day, I had the opportunity to try painting pottery. First, I prepared the base and then painted the clay vessels.

Painting my own designs was a lot of fun, and I became completely absorbed in the process.

I especially enjoyed finishing the cute patterns I had drawn, and the experience was truly fulfilling and enjoyable.

On the afternoon of the third day (the final day), we visited and toured the Hasami Museum History and Culture Center.

This facility provides a wide introduction to the history and culture of Hasami Town, and is one of the cultural facilities located in Hasami Town, Nagasaki Prefecture.

This facility showcases Hasami Town's traditional storehouses and the history of the region, and you can see a variety of Hasami Town ceramics from each era.

On this day, the students experienced the pottery production process and made tableware samples.

We also had the opportunity to use the factory's machines to paint on the dishes and cups. Painting while rotating the objects was more difficult and challenging than we expected, but it was a very enjoyable experience.

Through this experience, the students learned that among the tools used in pottery making, there are some that are used to make the work easier.

For example, they learned that tools are used to smooth the edges and fine details of the pottery, in order to achieve a beautiful shape and finish.

　Near the Hasami Town History and Culture Center, there is a shop that displays realistic food samples, one of Japan’s unique cultural features.

Here, you can see small, intricately crafted food replicas that are used in the display windows and menus of Japanese restaurants.

A variety of food replicas, such as ice desserts and noodle dishes, are on display so you can actually touch them, making it a very interesting and fun experience.

There, you can choose your favorite food replica design and create your own original replica.

　Afterwards, throughout their stay in Hasami, the students shared their experiences and observations from the three-day study trip with the teachers and staff who were there, and gained a lot of knowledge by asking questions about things they didn't understand. They had a very enjoyable time.

Finally, the students expressed their gratitude to the teachers who had prepared and supported them for the three-day study trip before leaving Hasami.

Through these three days, they gained a deeper understanding of the beauty and appeal of Hasami ware and were able to create their own pieces, making it a very enjoyable and valuable experience.