Embodied Learning about Japanese Culture through Pottery: Artwork and Reflection with Mr. Hiroshige Kato
Host: Hiroaki Kawamura, Japanese
Resident: Hiroshige Kato, pottery master from Aichi prefecture, Japan
Project Abstract
This project will create opportunities for participants to learn about Asian and Japanese culture through first-person engagement with a professional pottery artist from Japan. The artist is Mr. Hiroshige Kato, the 12th head of the Akazu Kitagama kiln from Aichi prefecture, Japan. The project will be collaborative at three levels. First, this will be a collaborative project between the Art and Japanese programs of the University of Findlay. Second, this will be a partnership between the Findlay Art League and the University. And, lastly, the University of Findlay will work with other educational institutions in northwest Ohio to promote Asian and Japanese culture. Through these partnerships, the project aims to achieve two goals. First, the project will provide deeply reflective and experiential learning opportunities for students. Second, the project will serve as build capacity to continue promoting Asian and Japanese culture through pottery in northwest Ohio. The duration of Mr. Kato’s stay will be 2.5 weeks. During his stay, he will engage in Japanese pottery making from making clay, working with clay on pottery wheels, to glazing and firing ceramics, together side-by-side with students. We envision that participants’ experiences will be not only intellectual but also sensory. Mr. Kato will engage with people even outside of the Ceramic House. He will go to an art museum with students, exhibit his work on campus and in the community, and interact with the public at receptions and a public lecture. Through first-person engagement, this project will promote Asian and Japanese studies in northwest Ohio.
