Raku pottery and its exceptional artisans

Many children at the Hope Center (at 69 Thach Han Street, Phu Xuan Ward, Hue City) cannot even remember or accurately state their age due to intellectual disabilities. However, when they touch clay, they transform into artists with an extraordinary passion and concentration.

ANOTHER WORLD OF JAPANESE CERAMICS

Ho Thanh Ky's foot lightly pressed the switch, and the electric turntable spun smoothly. Ky wet his hands and gently placed the round clay ball neatly on the turntable. After just a few minutes, a clay flower vase appeared, accompanied by Ky's innocent smile. To acquire this skill, Ky persevered for many years under the guidance of Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhat (the center manager). It took me many questions to learn that Ky is 20 years old. He answered hesitantly, while Ms. Nhat smiled and confirmed: "He has intellectual disabilities, so he often needs to be reminded of things repeatedly. But when he touches clay, he transforms into a different person, incredibly skillful and focused."

At the Hope Center, each young person has their own unique circumstances; some are developmentally delayed, some have hand disabilities, some are deaf and mute... Depending on their talent and perseverance, some children only need a year, while others need several years to master the techniques of making Raku pottery (a traditional Japanese pottery). But once they become proficient, the pottery they create is in no way inferior to that of skilled artisans. Among the more than 10 "artisans," besides Ky, there are Vo Tuan Anh, Ho Van Minh… Notably, Nguyen Van Hau is praised by Ms. Nhat as having the most artistic talent.

Ms. Nhat recounted that the common trait among the children at the center is shyness. Like Ky, in the early days, Tuan Anh hardly communicated, just sitting in one place. Minh, who used to just sit quietly and watch, is now accustomed to kneading clay and helping the group during busy periods. "Normally, I knead the clay and mold objects in advance. When customers come, I show them how to make them, they praise them and take pictures. We're very happy," Tuan Anh said with a shy smile. As for Hau, thanks to his natural talent, even though he only communicates through gestures, he learns very quickly. Hau's creations are quite sophisticated; when glazed and fired, they produce complete works of art.

Although Ho Thanh Ky has developmental delays, he possesses exceptional pottery skills.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

Ho Thanh Ky (left) and Tuan Anh show off the Raku pottery products they have crafted.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

"At the center, the disabled participants in pottery making not only learn how to mold clay and shape it, but also how to paint glazes and put the products into the kiln. Some of the more active children even participate in preparing for tourist experiences. Being with them, witnessing each manual operation with the clay, I feel that pottery is a form of 'art therapy,' bringing joy while helping the children feel that they are doing something useful," Ms. Nhat shared.

CONNECTING LIKE-MINDED HEARTS

When talking about Raku pottery in Hue , Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhat cannot forget the milestone of 2012, when Mr. Olivier Oet, a Frenchman passionate about Japanese pottery, came to the ancient capital to do volunteer work. He was the first person to experiment with Raku techniques with disabled children at the center. Thanks to her fluency in foreign languages, Ms. Nhat was able to go to Japan to learn systematically, and then returned to become a pillar, persistently building the center step by step until today. "In the beginning, the center only had clay and a little glaze, without any kiln or potter's wheel. A few years later, Mr. Olivier and an organization from France provided equipment and directly guided us through each Raku pottery technique," Ms. Nhat recalled.

Initially, the pottery class was just an extracurricular activity, helping the children relax and develop patience. However, surprisingly, the first successfully fired products were sold and received positive feedback from tourists. Since then, many tour groups have come to both visit and experience pottery making with the disabled children. Especially since the "Raku tour" was introduced, the process of molding clay and crafting products has become a bridge connecting disadvantaged individuals with the community.

When there are no visitors, the disabled people at the Hope Center knead clay and mold pottery by hand.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

The joy of a deaf and mute young man at the center as he creates unique ceramic products.

PHOTO: HOANG SON

In each Raku tour, the children with disabilities are both students and companions. Some help guests knead the clay, others guide them in turning the table and painting the glaze... "Some of them used to be very self-conscious and afraid to interact. But after just a few Raku tours, they confidently show off their products to tourists. Seeing the children's eyes light up at the pottery table, I understand why I've stayed here until today," Ms. Nhat said with a gentle smile. Not only international tourists, but many young people living and studying in the ancient capital also come to the classes.

Unlike the familiar smooth, glossy glazed pottery, Raku celebrates the beauty of imperfection. After shaping and glazing, the products are heated and then suddenly dipped into sawdust, straw, or paper. This thermal shock leaves unique cracks and blotches on each piece. For over 10 years, Raku pottery in Hue has not only been a play with clay and fire but also a healing therapy, a bridge bringing children closer to the community.

Interested readers can contact Ms. Nhat at the following phone number: 0935980087. (to be continued)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/gom-raku-va-nhung-nghe-nhan-dac-biet-185251101185322822.htm