Yomitan Pottery Village

Visiting Okinawa had been on my mind for a while, but the actual reason for the trip came a few months ago when I traveled there to attend my cousin’s wedding. Between the gatherings and celebrations, I had the chance to spend a quiet afternoon at the Yomitan Pottery Village. It is located on the northern side of the main island and features around 20 individual pottery studios and shops. 

We arrived just after lunch, following the island’s occasional downpours. The area had a peaceful, timeless atomosphere, with the absence of vending machines and no flashing signs in sight — unlike the city. At the centre of it all stood the storied climbing kiln, which is shared by artists in the area. The kiln's moss-covered stones and worn bricks blended into the hillside, it felt less like a structure and more like part of the landscape itself.

One thing I kept noticing as we wandered was the abundance of Shisa - traditional Okinawa guardian lion-dog statues, being displayed everywhere. You’d see them guarding the storefront, on the rooftops and gateposts throughout the village. Each studio offered their own interpretation of the Shisa, some more fierce, while some are more playful. You could tell a lot about each studio just by the way they chose to shape and glaze their Shisa.

I ended up picking up a few small pieces from different studios home — small souvenirs as a quiet reminder of our visit and time spent in Okinawa.   

- C