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Program Overview
The 2028 Porcelain Residency is Open until July 1st 2026. Apply Here.
The application period for 2028 is closed. However, filling out an application will automatically add your name to our waiting list. You will receive information regarding the residency, opportunities, and a notice in case of openings du to cancelations.
Porcelain Residency at Kouraku Kiln
Since 2013, our residency aims to provide a learning space where international craftsmen and artists can practice, learn, and explore amidst the rich cultural and historical backdrop of Arita, the birthplace of Japanese Porcelain. Over the years we have welcomed people from around the globe, creating an ever growing community.
Focused only on natural porcelain stone, our program offers an opportunity to immerse yourselves in the 400 years of Japanese porcelain history. To communicate with and learn from traditional Japanese craftsmen and women.
Our residency is a monthly base program. It starts from a 4 weeks minimum and 12 weeks maximum.
What We Offer
The goal of our residency is to give a chance to foreigners to discover, learn about and explore Arita porcelain. We offer lodging, studio space and equipment in a cultural and historical setting. During your stay you will also learn about Arita’s 400 years of porcelain production. We will guide you through the town's historical sights, museums and famous kilns as part of the residency. You will meet and interact with the local community.
Our program can be adapted to any level of knowledge or skills. Whether you are looking to explore porcelain making for the first time or you are planning to perfect your skills, learn new skills, creating pieces from start to finish. Or you can concentrate on one specific aspect of the production.
We fire the residents work in our factory gas kilns. At 1300 degree Celsius. The program is all about porcelain and no other types of clay. We work with Amakusa natural stone only. If you have never used porcelain or if it is your fist time with natural stone, an adjustment period is to be expected. However there are no previous experience in ceramic required.
Our factory kiln will accept a maximum hight of 25cm and length of 30cm. If a resident wishes to fire piece larger than those measurement, we can help in renting the electric kiln at the research center. The resident is responsible for the extra cost.
Please note, we are not a school. There is no curriculum or course-load. Our main goal is to offer you a space to explore traditional Japanese porcelain making in Japan. Our staff is able to teach you Arita style, beginners and intermediate level wheel throwing, underglaze and overglaze painting and slip casting.
Master classes* and workshops are available. They are usually given during weekdays but the studio space is available 24h for you to practice and create at your own speed. Our program is ideal for learning and improving technical skills, learning from a new culture and connecting with other artists and creators.
As ceramic is intricately part of Japanese culture, we can also offer activities related to that aspect. These are pay as you go and vary depending on season and holidays. They are taught by local certified Japanese teachers and we provide the interpretation if needed (English, French, Korean).
WE DO NOT TEACH: Glaze Making, Mould Making, Kiln Loading, or Firing.
*Master classes fees depend on the master.
Arita Porcelain
Our Program is Focused on Arita Porcelain Only:
From the beginning of the 17th century, porcelain stone was harvested at Izumuyama, Arita Town’s quarry. For more than 300 years Arita porcelain was made from the Izumiyama stone. Today, the porcelain stone we use come from the Amakusa quarry in Kumamoto prefecture. In both cases it is the natural stone, with no added ingredients that is used for porcelain production.
The porcelain is fired in gas kilns and sometimes in wood kilns, at 1300 celsius. This reduction firing creates a very white porcelain that can have a blue undertone depending on the iron content.
Arita and it’s surrounding towns have been exploiting the whiteness of the porcelain as support for intricate underglaze and overglaze paintings.
Specificities of Japanese Porcelain Stone:
When done properly, it is extremely durable. It has low porosity, is stain resistant and gives a very smooth finish. It can be made thin and has the capacity to be translucent. When fired in a reduction kiln it is very white. Thus creating a bright support for colorful decoration. When thrown on the potter’s wheel, it is often described as soft and butter like. It conduct heat easily but not electricity making it a great electrical insulator.
Because Amakusa porcelain is a natural stone it has limitations. In the glaze firing, It shrink 12% to 15%. Combined with its plasticity, this increases warping and sagging of large pieces. When made thick, porcelain can be very heavy.
Program Overview
The Residency Sessions. Depending on the length of stay and the session we usually split the arrival of resident. Here is an example of arrival period.
February-Mach (4 to 8 weeks) Beginning of February, mid-February and beginning of March.
June-July-August (4 to 12 weeks) Beginning of June, arrivals for the 12 weeks residency and the first 6 weeks program. Mid-July for the second 6 weeks and 4 weeks program. Beginning of August for the 4 weeks program.
November (4 weeks) The only session were everyone starts and end together.
What a Residency Breakdown Can Look Like:
We Don't have a specific course load or class time. However, the staff has fix working hours. The main teaching and technical support is offered between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm.
The November residency is the only session when all the participants start and end at the same time.
For the second and third arrivals in a session, usually 2 to 3 new residents will be starting the program together.
Your first week is introduction to Arita and it’s porcelain history. You will have the intro classes for painting, wheel throwing and slip casting. Visit the historical sights and museum, guided buy our staff.
The following weeks are used to review the basics if needed, expend on the techniques and add more information. That way the residents can maximize the free studio time to practice at their own speed. The staff can assist in case of difficulties.
We adapt to the residents' speed of learning. Usually we have overlap in arrival at the residency. When new resident arrive the staff will go over the basic of the traditional techniques. Anyone can join the classes and workshops. The teacher will go over all the basic and intermediate steps.
For Master classes the resident can ask to learn from a traditional certified master craftsman. The cost of Master classes vary depending on the teacher.
Program Information
The Program
The Residency is Dedicated Solely to the Art and Craftsmanship of Japanese Porcelain. Technical Aspects of the Program Include:
Wheel Throwing.
Traditional Underglaze Painting
Traditional Overglaze Enameling.
Decal Transfer Application.
24/7 Access to the Studio Equipped with Potter's Wheels, Modeling Table, Slab Roller, Shelving.
30kg of Amakusa Porcelain Clay Per Month, and Essential Tools.
The Program Covers the Firing and Transparent Glazing for the First 30kg of Clay, Per Month. (Max Size 25cmLX30cmH)
You must be at least 21 Years old to Participate. We are not a barrier free facility. Due to the nature of the factory, we cannot accommodate guests with physical disabilities. Our factory, housing and studio are in old buildings with lots of stairs, uneven floor, moving machinery. You must be able to walk with out aid. The Current Maximum of Residents is 5 People at Any Given Time. Residents are Responsible for the Packing and Shipping of Their Work. Duration & Fees
The Duration of the Program is a Minimum of 4 Weeks (28 days) and up to 12 weeks (84 days).
The Kouraku Residency Program is a None Funded Family Run Business. The Fees are Based on a 4 Week Stay, Which Starts at 380,000¥. It Can be Adapted to Different Lengths of Stay from 4 Weeks Up to 12 Weeks.
A Down Payment of 25% is Required To Complete Your Reservation.
More Information is Provided Once Future Resident Fills Out an Application Form on our Website. Our Current Application Period is for the 2028 Sessions. The Open Call Will End in July.
📍Residents are Responsible for Packing and Shipping Their Work Before They Leave.
📍The Kiln Does Not Store Any Material or Moulds for Residents. You Must Leave With All Your Belongings.
Housing
The Residency has 2 accommodations. An old staff housing 3 minutes Walk from the Factory and a traditional Japanese house less than 15 minutes walk from the Factory.
Residents Get a Private Bedroom.
Shared Bathroom, Living Room and Laundry.
Bedding, Towels, Soap, and House Slippers.
Shared Kitchen with Appliances, Cutlery, Pots, and Pans.
Shared Living Room with Table, Chairs, and Television.
A Bike is Provided for Easy Travel Around Arita.
Both The Studio and The House have WIFI.
Please note, All the buildings have stairs and are not wheelchair accessible.
Porcelain & Much More
We Also Guide Our Residents Through the Town's Historical Sites, Museums, and Famous Kilns as Part of the Basic 4 week Fee.
Pay as You Go Classes and Master Classes* Vary Depending on Season and Holidays: Traditional Potter’s Wheel Master Class, Ikebana Classes (Floral Arrangment), Nerikomi Workshops, Washizome Workshop, Plaster Mould Making Workshop.
*The Activities Availabilities are Based on the Time of Year and Teacher. The Fees Vary Depending on the Master.
If diving into the world of Japanese Porcelain sounds tempting, express your Interest in a Residency with us!
Studio Wani in Hasami
If you are looking for a shorter Residency or a more Structured Program, we recommend our friends in Hasami. The CROC Residency offers from 2 weeks to 6 weeks programs. Learn porcelain making through traditional Japanese craftsmen training.
Click below to learn more about Studio Wani’s CROC Residency
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