online Workshop Reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed the 2-day session! It was a wonderful presentation - very well paced, human - humorous and entertaining over the 3-hour stretches, and generously informative and encouraging. Thank you very much to Akira san for his generous teaching and demonstration, and to the supporting staff for the smooth, technical communication and presentation.

—Carol (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

———————————

Watching Akira working his magic is a privilege, as he generously shares his processes step by step. I’ve attended two workshops, and look forward to attending more, especially Kurinuki. I am filled with renewed inspiration, and can’t wait to get back in the studio. Many thanks to him for his wisdom and generosity.

Warmest regards,

—Michele (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

———————————

The workshop instructed and inspired! I learned new approaches to clay, both technical and philosophical. The workshop was well organized and condensed so many concepts into six hours of instruction. Thank you and your assistants for your excellence.

—RaeAnn (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

———————————

Thanks so much for offering such an ebullient and generous workshop. You are certainly a natural in all the best ways. Bravo!

I chanced upon your studio on a trip to Asheville in March and was completely captivated by your work. Although at 54 years old I have zero experience with ceramics, and I never even had any particular interest (except my daughter is a budding ceramicist), I immediately knew that I had to learn this method – this sort of wabi-sabi meets shou sugi ban in clay. Your work is viscerally grounding.

Upon returning home, I watched all of your YouTube videos, began to research wood firing, and went down any number of other rabbit holes. I had to know. Then, sure enough came your invitation for this workshop; you heard my cry for help. I signed up right away.

Now I think I can actually do this. I just need to acquire all these tools and materials, clear a space in my home, figure out how I am going to fire anything, hone my self-deprecating sense of humor, prepare for fantastic failures, and (always toughest of all) make the time. But I must! ...Hopefully by fall.

—Anonymous (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

———————————

This is my first time to join Akira san's workshop. I thought it was great! I admire your patience answering questions, even the same question you had covered in the presentation. I like how questions were handled, very professional and did not affect the flow of the presentation. You covered a lot which I appreciate. The workshop was all I had expected, covering kohiki, not too much, not too little. I have a lot of pottery experience but I still learned some new tips which I appreciate. I look forward to trying the stretch kohiki method and making my own shapes!

—Julie Meikle (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

———————————

This has been my second virtual workshop with you and I can't say enough about the professionalism and inspiration you have once again offered. If you only knew just how much you have inspired my clay work, but also many other aspects of my day to day life. Thank you so very much. I appreciate the amount of effort it takes to pull this off and you have done a fantastic job.

—Carrie (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

———————————

Thank you for another marvelous workshop. You are a benevolent, vibrant teacher with a humble heart. I am so grateful to be the beneficiary of your enormous talent.

—Shirley (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

———————————

Thank you for another informative online workshop!

I love the philosophy you share about the way the natural world informs and influences your work.This has huge appeal for me too. The methodology you use to demonstrate an example of the kohiki process along with the construction of a slab form is both detailed and accessible. The wealth of information you provide and the many examples of the technique make the total experience really wonderful.

Thank you to you and your team. I look forward to more workshops of this nature. It is great to beam in from Sydney Australia to hear from and learn from you!

—Jenny (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

———————————

Just took an amazing workshop on Kohiki from @akirasatake earlier this month. Learned a lot and came away from it bursting with new ideas. In addition to specific knowledge relating to Kohiki, I discovered a couple of new (to me) methods of forming and joining clay that have proved to be invaluable in *all* my handbuilding activities. Absolutely love this guy's attitude as well. He encourages students to develop their individual styles and doesn't force phony ideas of "perfection" on anyone.

—Ann (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

———————————

Thank you for an informative workshop. It is the second time I took Akira’s workshop and it was a wonderful review of information I had received several years ago. It was more meaningful this time as I have become a more practiced potter since I first took the workshop. I appreciated that this workshop was not exactly the same as the first one I took, which reflected the fact that Akira keeps learning new methods as well.

Thank you.

—Louise (March, 2024, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Thank you so much for this wonderful workshop. I learned so much and it was so wonderful to watch Akira Satake demonstrate his art.

—Mina (March, 2024, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Thank you for a wonderful workshop. I was very interested to hear about your philosophy and process. Your sense of humor is great and the allusions to music or natural force make a lot of sense to me. I will dream about this for a long time and maybe some will emerge in my own work.

—Ren (March, 2024, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Akira, thank you for the amazing workshop.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us.

I'm a mountaineer and climber. I love to go camping with my husband and kids, as well as trekking and hiking the mountains.

All my work (and life) are inspired by nature.

So it was lovely to see and feel your inspiration too.

I'd like to attend your other workshops. Please, let me know the next ones.

Best Regards,

—Stella (March, 2024, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Thank you Akira and team for an excellent workshop! I was most interested in your craftsmanship and approach to process, and you really delivered on both fronts.

Included is my gmail address as I hope to rewatch the workshop over the next month and fill in gaps in my notes.

Best regards,

—Philip (March, 2024, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Many thanks for Akira's workshop.

The workshop itself was excellently organized, very good and informative. By far the best moments were the parts when Akira was left to work, while explaining why he does what he does; each movement was meaningful, practical and well explained. I could have watched him work for hours.

From my point of view (and I could be completely wrong, I apologize if this goes against what others are saying), the slide presentation and the handle-making were the least interesting parts. If Akira wanted to show us what pots look like after we apply his techniques, the way he did it in the third part (by bringing out a few finished products and showing them to us) was much more impactful.

Finally, I was so captivated and I felt I learnt so much from watching him work, that I felt distracted and annoyed by the fact that he was interrupted by questions (some of which were not even related to what he was doing in that moment or were focused on tools and other basic things). Perhaps a better way to do this would be to allow him to finish the piece he is working on, without interrupting him, and asking him the questions only once he finished it, like a brief break before he moves on to working on something else.

I felt several times that, if he were not interrupted and if we allowed him to just go deeper in his work and in his thinking, we could have learnt a lot more - both in terms of technique and in terms of his creative philosophy.

I am definitely interested in the focus workshops, please let me know when he intends to organize new ones.

Thank you once again for your work to assist him, and please pass on to him my gratitude for his generosity, humour and kindness. I am greatly humbled by it all.

Best wishes,

—Leo (March, 2024, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

What a brilliant workshop! I’m so happy and grateful for having participated in the webinar. My mind opened to new creative possibilities. It was an honor for me to learn from you. Muchas gracias.

—Aitana (March, 2024, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

If you want to learn a lot and be inspired, I highly recommend Akira’s workshop! I took the virtual workshop for financial reasons.

His studio is well organized with appropriate camera settings so when viewing a demonstration, it can be seen from above etc . Talk about organization, each day was devoted to a different technique but there was follow up on the previous days work too.

Although I have many years of experience with clay, he uses clay in a way that never occurred to me. Very exciting!

I was most impressed by his giving nature, his attitude towards life and his inspirations ! He shares his inspirations , his knowledge from small details(like how to move a slab without touching it) to his thought process! TAKE THE WORKSHOPS!

—Carol (March, 2024, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Thank you once again for an inspiring and affirming 3-day workshop. Although the workshop started at 2am for me, I did not fall asleep at all! I enjoyed how you shared about making pottery your own way.

I started pottery at 47 yo after searching for a real life beyond the office, and am still at it in my 60s. So much to learn from you, not just about pottery making but being authentic in approach. Thank you for showing me it is ok to make mistakes! It's true, the best pieces sometimes are the ones saved.

—Delphine (March, 2024, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

A wonderful opportunity to learn Japanese pottery styles. The audio was clear with no background noise. The 2 camera angles worked well to capture all the demonstrations. A. Satake's explanations were on point with a little historical background and terminology translation. The time was well managed and I have learned a lot in these 3 days. I will treasure all the knowledge shared and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to review the videos after the zoom sessions ended. I look forward to the next workshop.

Thank you Akira Satake and team for this great workshop!

—Noelia (August, 2023, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Many thanks for your wonderful workshop. I learned so much and enjoyed your demonstrations, even those demonstrations of how to make good mistakes!! I want to say that I have been following your work from Pintrest and was so happy to hear that you were giving a workshop in Hawaii. That workshop sold out in minutes, seriously, so I was relieved to see you were teaching a Zoom class!

My personal interests were in the Kurinuki and Gobe pots, but if you had focused classes on any of the techniques you demonstrated, I'd likely sign up for it.

Thank you again,

—Teina (August, 2023, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Very honored to participate in your workshop.

Doumo arigatou gozaimasu!

—Márcia (August, 2023, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Hi, Akira and assistants!

I attended the workshop this week, and got my mind blown! :D

I'm so grateful that you want to share your techniques, knowledge and experiences in such a generous way. I'm a very new hobby ceramist who's extremely intrigued by textures, and have found your work absolutely gorgeous! The new knowledge and tips I got in the workshop will give me hours and hours of fun and amazement!

My only "complaint" would be that the amount of information/inspiration is quite overwhelming. Which means the workshop is good value for money, so it's not really a complaint :)

You are a very skilled and fun sensei, you explain well and keep the interest up throughout the whole process. I'm beyond satisfied!

Thank you, thank you, thank you,

—Christiane (August, 2023, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Review of Workshop

I appreciate Akira being so generous in sharing his techniques and materials. His philosophy of creativity is that it is good to master techniques and to have an intention, but equally important to be open to “happy accidents” that can throw open windows to new effects and forms. His forms are a marriage between respect for tradition and freedom to explore. In that sense, he encourages his students to create works that "breathe" like his.

—Thornton (August, 2023, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

To Akira san and his team

It was amazing to be able to participate Akira san’s workshop from the other side of Atlantic!

Thank you very much to Akira san to share his knowledge and techniques with us so generously.

I can’t wait to get hands on my clay and Dobe to create some spontaneous pots !

Since I don’t have woodfiring facilities I won’t be able to experience the exciting effects Akira san creates but I would definitely try all the other techniques he showed us.

Best regards

—Kaoru (August, 2023, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Aloha Satake sensei:

Mahalo for sharing your knowledge via a learning-filled zoom workshop. Apologies for not responding sooner, I'd forgotten you were sending the videos via gmail address.

It was valuable to review the videos ... and see the details again. I've been involved with ceramics for a while, and your style resonates with me. I've always disliked perfectly round, pristine pottery. While they are beautiful in their own way, there's something lifeless about "perfection". Imperfection is perfection in my humble opinion. Wabi-sabi!

I'm interested in your future zoom workshops, taking what you've taught to deeper levels. Look forward to hearing about those.

Mahalo,

—Paula (August, 2023, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I just finished watching the recording of your recent workshop. I learned so much and enjoyed the workshop very much. So many great ideas and inspiration from your beautiful work. I will be looking forward to taking another workshop from you in the future. I am excited to try the dobe (mortar) and the kohiki pieces and some of the sculptural vases. Also adding the sand to the clay looks like fun. You have such a great eye for design and making graceful pieces.

Do you ever do any wood fired workshops?

—Mary (August, 2023, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I attended your recent Zoom workshop and want to express my great appreciation for you. I learned an enormous amount—from hands-on tips and tricks to the history of Japanese vessels—and was so inspired by your methods and philosophy.

You are a rare combination of deep knowledge and down-to-earth authenticity. Don’t ever change.

Please keep me informed about future workshops.

Thank you, and take good care,

—Bonnie (March, 2023, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I took the 3 days online workshop. I was a bit curious how a ceramics workshop would work just by video, but I was very pleasantly surprised. Akira Satake explained his way of working very clearly, his philosophy on aesthetics and making were inspiring, and the production was excellent: every step was clearly filmed, the sound was impeccable and all was carefully planned and ran smoothly. Thank you, Akira Satake and the Workshop Team for this experience. The workshop was very inspiring and I learned a lot.

ーJeanette (March, 2023, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

It was fantastic! This was the first streaming clay workshop I’ve taken, and I was impressed by the amount of information I received and could absorb. I really think the format is superior to in-person for topics like this (that don’t require hands-on tutoring), since we students are able to focus and note what the instructor is doing rather than being distracted.

Satake-san is a great teacher. (and also a great human being, which I already knew!). Everything was well explained. I think it is so generous of him to let us know how he makes his exquisite pieces. I will likely try a few (particularly kurinuki sculptures), but promise to quickly shift to my own style (whenever I can figure that out) and not just copy ;-)

ーStuart (March, 2023, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Dear Akira,

Your workshop was an unexpected joy for me: an informative and energizing experience. You are a generous teacher and artist. I found myself thinking about many of the things you discussed long after the end of each session.

Thank you for sharing your techniques. I saw several of your kohiki work at a friend's house for years. I always wondered how this was done (even before I became a potter). Now that I understand how you technically made this pottery style does not remove the final piece's magic. You move from technique to artistry. Learning about kohiki makes me marvel at the qualities of clay.

I loved how you answered the participants' questions and encouraged viewers to go into their studios, create pottery, and see what happens. I'm very comfortable with your advice, though others may want you to be more specific. Also, thank you for sharing your collection of tools, so many homemade, and others found in the local hardware store.

I appreciated listening to how the power of movement in Nature inspires you. Your slide presentations were very informative, too, and I enjoyed seeing the evolution of your work.

ーLouise & Steven (March, 2023, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Thanks again for such an inspiring few days and being so generous with your techniques and tricks. I will cherish and guard them lovingly, whilst experimenting with them in my own work.

With gratitude

ーJulia (March, 2023, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

It was the next best thing to being there. And better than a front row seat. The workshop was seamless and moved at a good pace. Sitting in my Evergreen CO home, watching the snowflakes gently falling and being part of your workshop, what could be better? I learned some new techniques to add to my always improving voice in clay. Thank you all.

ーKathleen (March, 2023, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I just finished a 3-day virtual workshop with Akira. It was Brilliant! This is my first online workshop and I was so impressed. I learned so much and am so excited to apply what I’ve learned. Akira has a wonderful character. He was so Very generous with what he shared, easy to understand, and very thorough in his directions of how to create each item. I would absolutely take another class with him. My only advise would be to add ‘closed captioning’ if that is a feature you can turn on, I wasn’t able to on my end. Also, I loved how he answered questions as they came in. Lovely man. Domo arigatio Akira!

ーKatia (March, 2023, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I thought the workshop was great. I learned new techniques and have already implemented those in my own art. Adding sand to the clay I work with has made a difference as well, so the tips like that are very valuable. Additionally, Akira's personality is warm and welcoming and it's obvious he loves what he does and loves to share his talent with the world. Two things also spoke to my heart. When he showed the pictures of rocks it made my heart happy because I take pictures of rocks all the time! The section on ikebana was also great! Negative space speaks to my heart as well and it was so awesome to hear him talk about that as well. Learning to draw the negative space was a game changer for me.

Thank you!

-Steph (November, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I took your in-person kohiki workshop many years ago at Mudfire. I was new to clay at that time, so, I missed key points. And, even though I knew bright, shiny cone 6 glazes held little appeal, I couldn’t articulate why your approach drew me.

For years, I have wished I could retake that workshop, so I finally went to your site, and lo and behold, you were offering a Zoom workshop the following week. Perfect!

Thank you for generously and authentically sharing what you do…and for doing so without major technical hiccups, due largely, I assume, to your strong back-up team. I enjoy you and love your work. You covered your processes and articulated your philosophy clearly, beautifully, and at the right pace. Somehow, you answered each and every question without distracting from the project at hand. Truly, a worthwhile nine hours with a master potter… and master educator.

-Linda (November, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Thank you for the wonderful workshop! I found it full of inspiration on many levels. I am looking forward to experimenting and finding my own path. You gave us a lot to consider. Extremely well run and well planned out. You covered so much! I am looking forward to the recording to look back once I start experimenting. I also love my new tumbler, your work is fantastic.

-Barbara (November, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I loved this workshop, it is the second time I took it. And while I find your work transformative and powerful, so beautiful, I particularly liked your philosophy. I have it on my wall in my studio. “Don’t be afraid to fail, to make something ugly.” This is real freedom. And experimenting to find my own way without fear is the road.

I was moved by your ikebana art. I liked the design aspects you taught, the negative space, balance, proportion. This is where I want to grow, in understanding these universal principles. Any more on this would be welcome. Repeat, this art form is stunning as handled by an artist. My husband walked by, saw one of your Ikebana on the screen, and said “now there is an artist.”

I make bonsai pots for our own use. And am making Kusamono and Shitakusa for my pots. Big crossover with Ikebana. I am an old woman, retired. This is my joy of jumping into the creative side and watching my old age. The art form of bonsai pulls in everything you are teaching. Negative space, balance, color, proportion, texture, size. This is where I want to grow. What a wonderful process to jump into. Thank you.

-Barbara (November, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Review: Totally worth the money! Day one was so rewarding — finding out how to make the clay look so roughly textured. All kinds of details were like a revelation: eg. handling the clay blocks with pieces of plywood to avoid finger marks, seeing the tools, seeing the form slightly lifted off table top. On day three, seeing the leaning bud vase leveled. Really looking forward to getting the video since I had to miss most of day two. It was so hard to tear myself away to go to my appointment! This let me know how compelling the material was. Definitely an exciting workshop — because Akira's aesthetic is so satisfying and Akira-san was so generous in his sharing. I appreciated Akira’s lightness of being, especially since he spoke about being depressed on occasion. The slide shows were wonderful. I have told many people about the workshop. Thank you Akira Satake!

-Lois (November, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm. I can not wait to get back in the studio to try some new techniques and see where it leads me in my own work. I would highly recommend your workshop!

-Judy (November, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Thank you for SUCH a wonderful, informative, humorous, rich workshop full of energy and depth. I admire your work, your spirit and how you explained the relationship between your music and clay. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your experiences.

-Eugenie (November, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Thank you for your dedication and sharing in providing this workshop.
The workshop is so enjoyable and informative. I am loving your philosophy and style.

-Melissa (November, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I recently took Akira's 3 day virtual workshop and learned many tips I have already started using in my work.

Having taken a few online Zoom workshops, this one far surpassed any of the others, not only in information given but also the clarity of the sound and video-very professional all around. I had never done a 3 day online workshop and I can't tell you how important the ease of watching and listening was to me.

Akira's work is phenomenal and his process was very easy to follow and understand-so

Good work- presented well- very well worth the cost.

-Lynn (November, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Such a good and inspiring workshop, - can't imagine a workshop done better. So generous in the sharing of Mr. Satake's methods and techniques. And to me, - the best part was to hear Mr. Satake tell about his personal approach to the work with clay, and his aesthetic considerations.
Also all the technical aspects of the virtual presentation worked perfectly.
Thank you much much for this wonderful, inspiring and positive experience.

-B.C. (June, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

This was the best workshop I have participated in. It was like getting a guided tour into the Universe of Mr. Akira Satake. A tour into the Organic and beauty of nature, that unites the Trinity of Clay, Fire and Mr. Akira Satake

-Soren (June, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I walked into my studio this morning with fresh eyes.Thank you for an enlightening and inspiring workshop - I enjoyed it very much. I believe that much of your philosophy and outlook on clay resonates with my own. I was especially interested in hearing about the roots of your ideas and philosophical approach to your work in clay. I also really appreciated your insights on balance and space through your slides of ikebana pots and arrangements. It was great to get to know you a little bit through this online workshop. It always warms my heart to know the person behind the pot.

I look forward to trying the new things that I learned from your demonstrations and I am excited to see how these new techniques will influence my own work over time.

Please keep me on your mailing list for future workshops. Till then, I am continually inspired by your work, thanks to posts on social media!

-Gaye (June, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

He is an inspiration and I particularly responded to his “there are no real mistakes” approach. In life and in art as well.

-Janet (June, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Akira Satake's 3-day Virtual Workshop was outstanding. The content was rich and clear, beautifully organized and generously shared. The production quality was also excellent, with effective camera work, perfect sound, and beautiful slideshows. I would highly recommend Akira Satake's workshop to any and every ceramic practitioner.

-Monica (June, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Your workshop was just brilliant in both content and execution. You were so very generous in sharing your techniques, patient in answering questions, and most interesting when discussing your philosophy. I learned a lot and am enjoying a revitalized approach to my own work. Thank you, definitely worth getting up at 4:30 in the morning for.

-Maxine (June, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Your work is so interesting, and so unusual. I have often wondered about the techniques you use to make it. There are several techniques that are mysteries to me. That is why the workshop was such a pleasure for me.

You did a good job "telescoping" the techniques: that is to say, showing how something is done, and then showing the next steps after time has passed, and the clay has set up a bit.

As much as I enjoyed seeing your techniques and watching you work, I also appreciate your discussion about using the techniques to "find your own voice" and originality, and to not imitate "Satake pots".

The slides were helpful, and a nice way to break up the pace of the afternoon. I enjoyed hearing your discussion of what motivates your own work, especially the ikebana, where you are combining two aesthetic ideas.

-Peter (June, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Thank you for your 3 - day Virtual Workshop. It was really fantastic and an inspiration to me!

The overall presentation across each of the sessions ran like clockwork, including the 15 minute breaks. The detailed practical demonstrations you provided throughout were also wonderfully executed, methodical and clearly explained. Your efforts to answer the many questions asked by participants was also of great value.

I am relatively new to the wonders of working with clay [and] have become really passionate about hand building (wheel throwing is another pathway yet to fully explore) and am keen to learn from masters such as yourself. While there were many valuable messages, the big takeaway for me was in the notion of “improvisation”. It spoke to the heart of how I think about the world of creative expression and of Nature itself and how I want to respond to it. I also know that I can have confidence to improvise and work with the means I have at my disposal to explore and develop ceramic forms in this next phase of my life.

-Jenny (June, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

A must-do workshop with Akira-san. I have been inspired by his work for a long time, and this was the perfect opportunity to learn from him first hand. He is a generous teacher who unreservedly shares anecdotes, experiences, and techniques with students. The online workshop felt as good as being at the studio in person, so kudos to the team for creating a wonderful learning experience.

-Aparna (June, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

The virtual workshop was brilliant, liberating and eye-opening. And the techniques were 'easy' to follow, and his teaching style casual and fun. I was wondering about the different techniques of Mr. Satake's ceramic works. Here at the workshop he shared and taught his ingenious techniques and know-how. Based on Mr. Satake's explanation of his diverse works, I learned also to look at ceramic pieces esthetically as works of art.

-Rosa (June, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Thank you for an informative and interesting workshop. I found there was much to learn from Satake-san, and I was especially interested in his process for sculptural pieces with "short" clay. I thoroughly enjoyed his presentations and picked up a great deal to add to my own toolbox.

From a format standpoint, the workshop went extremely well. The camera work was good and the workspace worked well for the demonstrations. Satake-san did an excellent job of fielding questions during his demonstrations as well as explaining his processes in a clear, understandable and relatable way.

Thank you to Satake-san and the rest of his crew for an entirely satisfactory experience.

-Rob (March, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Thank you so much for the opportunity to enjoy your workshop. To watch Akira create his art is to be enveloped in a vacuum of skilled and intuitive creative mastery, so fresh with an appreciation for the organic. I can only liken it to feelings I have to my favorite painter’s work as being able to almost taste the colors and nature that inspires.

The video and close up of the details were wonderful and Akira is so natural. I appreciate his encouragement of mistakes. It was good to see a mishap even, by a master (and I have to remind myself of this even as I learn to play the piano in my old age!)

I have admired Akira’s work fo many years, having first seen an afternoon demonstration in Asheville, NC about 15+ years ago. Thank you for making such a wonderful presentation feel like I was right there watching in person.

-Janet (March, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I just want to say a big thank you for the workshop a few days ago. It was really interesting. The length of the daily workshop was perfect. Enough time to be immersed in the subject. I like the technical side, of course, but appreciate when you talked about your background, your work, your inspiration, the way you encourage us to experiment, to not be afraid of mistake or what we consider as it, to not be shy, to make room for gestual. It's really liberating and not so easy to do.

-Nathalie (March, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I don't have the words to fully express how much this week's workshop meant to me! What an experience.

I have admired your work for several years. I haven't ever taken an online workshop previously, but I jumped at the chance to see how you work!

I was particularly impressed by your ability to articulate answers with grace and sincerity while making work! Some artists can make great things; fewer can talk about it well; and of those, even fewer can do both simultaneously. I've taught (and been taught) in a variety of settings, but as I mentioned, I've never done an online workshop before. This worked so smoothly! From camerawork to sound to lights to good moderation and support, you set things up so well. That preparation seems to have helped you stay very present throughout the workshop... kudos.

I also deeply appreciated your humor, your humility, and your willingness to fail. You're an extremely pleasant person to be around!

I do hope you'll keep me informed of future opportunities! I'd love to stay connected.

My expectations were high, and you greatly exceeded them.

-Daniel (March, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I enjoyed so much your 3 days workshop last week, especially to see the way you master the clay in so many ways — from a raw material, designing objects, and finally through the different firing processes. You communicated your ideas in a fun and a vivid way, generously shared methods and skills, and it was nice to see the spontaneous way you handled our questions. And last, the Ikebana presentation was a nice closure to this workshop.

-Ziva (March, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

The workshop was fantastic — fun, informative and packed with techniques. I took careful notes and will return to the videos this coming month.

Your thoughts on design and creativity were very helpful to a relatively new potter. It’s so easy to want to try every technique and to imitate every potter whose work I admire. I will be thinking about your words as I develop my own style and discover what makes my pots my own.

It was also very helpful to hear you talk about some of the fine details of your work — how you think about edges, when you avoid finger marks, and using a scraper or rib to “lift” the bottom of a pot.

Thanks for sharing your ikebana slides. They were beautiful and inspiring!

-Shannon (March, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I am so grateful for having been one of your students in the recent workshop. I joined your class from Tehran, it was night time for me but still good time. I had been waiting for this occasion since a year ago.

I have learnt so much from you, both in terms of techniques and also my approach to creation. You have taught me to be more playful in my work and to give up perfectionism in favour of my inner voice.

I am looking forward to your workshops about Japanese pottery and glaze techniques. And I truly hope to be able to join live your firing and train kiln workshops in the future.

-Sanam (March, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I have just settled down from telling an artist friend and my metal sculptor husband about your workshop. At session’s end I was so simultaneously full and empty I could hardly breathe.

I am 70 years old, have been experiencing clay for 4 years since I retired from a joyous and intense career as financial advisor, have never attended a workshop before today, and now know I am exactly where I need to be.

It’s a breathtaking feeling.

Years ago I took a six week handbuilding pottery class at a local community college and knew it was a relationship I one day wanted to pursue. What I most remember from that class was the answer to my every question: ‘It depends’.

My decision to take this workshop was like most meaningful times in my life, pure serendipity on one hand, and fully prepared for on the other. I knew you only from your work. I hope you accept this as the sincerest form of compliment. After one day of your workshop I can say, your work reflects the spirit of you. Lyrical, generous, animated, accepting, optimistic, profound, giving, soulful.

I can hardly await tomorrow’s session.

Thank you for sharing your gift.

-Shirley (March, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I just wanted to say thanks for your series of workshops this week. I've been following your work since I caught the end of one of your demos at Clay Gulgong back in 2016.
So now I am happy to get a better understanding of the making process and your philosophy. I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
Cheers from Australia.

-Dan (March, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I keep trying to find a few select superlatives that reflect my experiences over the past few days in your workshop.

I keep coming up short because in my 30 or so years pursuing my creative interests I have attended only a few workshops but nothing has come close to this.

Observing your techniques was fascinating but most enriching has been the opportunity to understand your creative approach and philosophy. Becoming skilled in technique can take a lifetime. Finding the key to opening up to the creative force and allowing it to flow through and guide us is a priceless gift that too many of us take too long to assimilate. Your openness in sharing this with us and your free connection to your creative source is a joy to behold.

Lastly, I savored every moment but your final ikebana segment was breathtaking! The images were truly exquisite. I have always been a fan of ikebana but your work and that of your teacher raise the art to a whole new level. Perhaps it is the simplicity, balance and resulting elegance of the contrasts that intrigued me. Whether I ever make my own ikebana vessel in my future clay explorations, my approach to arranging elements to complement the whole will be guided by the principles in your extraordinary examples. The simple yet ineffable beauty and joy to be found in nature shines through you and your work.

I know your students and the many admirers of your work hold you in high and venerable esteem. It was an honor to participate and you are truly an inspiration.

Thank you and I hope our paths will cross again!

-Jo-Ann (March, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

First of all thank you for your 3 day course. You were very generous with sharing your techniques and answering all those questions. I found it inspiring and would be interested in a future Japanese techniques course. I learned my coiling (more coiling/stretching) in East Africa and some of these techniques fit together well I think so I will definitely be having a go at kurinuki chawan (which you didn’t show but I figured it would be similar to the yunomi you demonstrated).

-Celia (March, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I loved the workshop and found it very inspiring. Your aesthetic and mine are very aligned and I really appreciated it. I leaned so much and as I’m a hand builder I really appreciated the new, creative and interesting techniques.

Thank you for a wonderful learning experience.

-Carol (March, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Thank you for your excellent workshop which I was most fortunate to attend. I learned much from and was inspired by your practical teachings and thorough demonstrations. I'm glad you shared your straightforward philosophy about ceramics as I have similar beliefs and approach to expressing my creative energy through pottery.

-Sanford (January, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

I learned a great deal. Not necessary about the technique but more about aesthetics and movement in your work. It Was nice to see you work, make little mistakes and see how you fix those.Very insightful.

-Paul (January, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Many thanks for a wonderful and inspiring workshop.
You are very generous in sharing your experience and knowledge.
I truly enjoyed it.
Looking forward to attend the workshop in Italy in April.

-Liora (January, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Thank you for making the workshop recording available to us. I’ve enjoyed all of your demos immensely. I especially like it when you talk about your philosophy and some of the Japanese cultural influences.

-Tom (January, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

My overall impression of the workshop is that it was amazing. It's mind opening to see all the techniques you have developed, especially for people like me who have started recently. And the way you show/share with such transparency is very appreciable.

The workshop was, in every way, really worth it. I'm glad I could participate in it.

-Colin (January, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Thank you so much for your very well planned and delivered workshop. The things I really liked were:

- Your cameraman Matt did an amazing job of making everything so accessible
- Your awareness of the camera and how you worked to the camera that made us feel very up close to your work
- Your generosity in sharing your stories and techniques
- Loved your humour
- It was well paced with lots of content but not so much that you couldn’t absorb
- Your assistant managed (all our) questions really well
- You were very responsive to the questions as they came so as a participant you got the context without going back

Overall I loved it and would gladly recommend it to another potter:)

-Victoria (January, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Thank you! Fresh ideas and techniques, clearly explained, and beautiful work!

-Elizabeth (January, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

It was a pleasure watching you create such beautiful pieces these past three days! Looking forward to trying out and incorporating these techniques in my work. Loved your musical performance as well :-)

-Nadya (January, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Really inspiring workshop, thank you!

-Dennis (January, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

Most amazing workshop I ever took!

-Dale (January, 2022, 3-day virtual workshop)

———————————

—Ann (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

———————————

—Carol (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

———————————

Warmest regards,

—Michele (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

———————————

—RaeAnn (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

———————————

Thanks so much for offering such an ebullient and generous workshop. You are certainly a natural in all the best ways. Bravo!

—Anonymous (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

———————————

—Carrie (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

———————————

Thank you for another marvelous workshop. You are a benevolent, vibrant teacher with a humble heart. I am so grateful to be the beneficiary of your enormous talent.

—Shirley (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

———————————

Thank you for another informative online workshop!

Thank you to you and your team. I look forward to more workshops of this nature. It is great to beam in from Sydney Australia to hear from and learn from you!

—Jenny (April, 2023, Kohiki in Depth workshop)

Reviews of Convergence Workshop with Ken Matsuzaki and Akira Satake

Hello Akira Satake and staff ... you asked for and i did promise, - so now here, - at the end of chance-to-watch-the recorded sessions, my humble review of your Convergence Workshop :-) ...

I think we were very very lucky !!!

... actualy the words from Mr. Satake himself right after Mr. Matsuzaki had shown us his use of slips expressions on some platters. But the words covers my impression of the whole workshop, such a wonderfull co-operation from two most most talented ceramist's, - what a gift to be able to 'share' these hours with them, - such generous sharing of methods and techniques, and also their thoughts on aesthetic issues, and everything done with charm and smile in the eyes, - wonderfull sharing from both Masters, - wonderfull hours being shown their ways of "Less Control with Control ", Wonderfull ...

Ohh, and everything worked technically perfect ...

Thank you So Much to Both Mr. Matsuzaki and Mr. Satake

Best wishes and Thanks to you all in US and Japan here from Copenhagen ...

—Bjarne (September, 2023, Convergence 3 workshop)

———————————

During the break of Day#3, my husband walked in to find me in tears. I was overwhelmed by the privilege of sitting before two masters. Your humility, passion, knowledge, and willingness to share is invaluable. Sweet vignettes were the moments you were ‘students to each other’, discovering new methods, admiring a process, curious as to what was used.

I am so grateful for this opportunity and excited to explore its impact on my work.

—Shirley (September, 2023, Convergence 3 workshop)

———————————

Thank you very much, Satake-san and Matsuzaki-san, for your generous teaching, sharing, and reflective insights presented during your Convergence-3 Workshop. Your immediate time and expended energy, and the lessons/information you shared from a cumulative lifetime commitment to ceramics, was a “gift" to us. It is all very much appreciated. Thank you!

In regards to a student's request for more demonstration time….I believe you already had a nice balance of sharing work(slides) and demonstration of techniques. The slides and narrative that you presented with your finished work was informative and expanding, as well as being a necessary visual for those techniques and finished qualities that you were actually demonstrating/teaching in this workshop. Please do not eliminate/shorten the slide presentation. I also enjoyed the little historical/cultural inserts regarding chado, Sen no Rikyu, oribe, trail of Korean pottery influence/controversy, etc.. Your organization and communication, filming/tech and studio teams on both shores, were excellent and made our audience time for this workshop well spent on ZOOM. Kudos and thank you to all.

Sincerely,

—Takako (September, 2023, Convergence 3 workshop)

———————————

What a unique opportunity it was to see these two extraordinary artists in action and have them explain how they work. I feel immense gratitude for how much of their techniques and practices they were willing to share with us. It was a special privilege to see Ken Matsuzaki working in his studio in Japan - at midnight, no less! I am still in information overload and it will take a while to process everything that I learned. The only thing I could have wished for was some more immediate form of the translation of the Japanese - I felt that despite Akira Satake's best efforts we only got a glimmer sometimes of what he and Ken Matsuzaki were saying. Many thanks to Akira Satake and to all who contributed to making this wonderful workshop possible.

—Martha (September, 2023, Convergence 3 workshop)

———————————

Thank you for the excellent Convergence 3 Workshop which was well organized and presented and fulfilled my expectations. I learned much from and was inspired by your demonstrations, explanations and images.

I particularly enjoyed your philosophizing about pottery, such as "what is a beautiful chawan" and pottery as an object v. sculpture, and your recounting the traditions and influences that have shaped the form and style of your pottery. Akira-san, your opening statement about "finding beauty in imperfection" flowed throughout the workshop. Your photos of the rocks and other natural formations could easily be pottery pieces.

The overall workshop program was well balanced and seamless with the various presentations, however, I suggest doing more demonstrations in place of the detailed discussions of clays, glazes and the technical aspects of firing. I realize some of that was due to the technical questions asked by some of the participants.

Knowing and understanding the reaction of glazes to reduction and oxidation firing is important. Showing the finished pots of the glaze demonstrations was helpful. It was interesting to learn about the electric kiln that is manufactured in Japan that can be fired in reduction. Perhaps you can share information about that kiln.

Your well planned program, attention to the time schedule and the work of your support staff made the workshop flow smoothly. Doi-san seemed to be at hand at just the right moment. Gillian Doty's response to the chat questions and confirmation of names and sources of information via chat were very helpful.

I will be viewing the workshop recordings during the next month and learn even more, I'm certain.

I'm thankful and pleased to have participated in the workshop as it came just at the right time on my pottery journey.

With gratitude and aloha,

—Sanford (September, 2023, Convergence 3 workshop)

———————————

In your three-hour session I just learned enough to keep me busy for at least the next six months, and to take me in directions I had not previously thought to explore.

—Nicholas (September, 2023, Convergence 3 workshop)

———————————

This is the first workshop of Akira that I've attended. I enjoyed the variety of techniques presented by both artists. And both Akira and Ken seemed more than willing to share plenty of details about their process. When it comes to technical issues, I found the volume a bit low (but maybe I just need better speakers). I have only one suggestion, and it has nothing to do with the presenters, they did amazingly. And I understand as moderators, you can't have control over people's questions. At times I did find it distracting that so many questions at all times were about firing, considering the third day was gonna focus on it specifically. It kind of took away at times what Akira and Ken were showing. I would suggest maybe directing the conversation more towards what's relevant to what's being shown at the moment and having those more random questions towards the end, or at the designated day for said topic (even as just polite soft guidelines in the chat by the moderators). Again, I very much enjoyed the workshop and how much was covered during it. Thank you.

Kind regards,

—Karina (September, 2023, Convergence 3 workshop)

———————————

Many thanks for offering this Convergence workshop. It was a great privilege to be with yourself and Ken in your working environments and witness your working methods and share your techniques.

I do not have any criticisms as I am a new potter at 71 but I have learned the value of the demonstration format when I did some landscape painting classes years ago. I learned more in a week in a painting studio with a tutor than I had learned in several decades from trying to study from a book!

My wife has been a hobby potter for most of her life and we have our own electric kiln. I am in charge of kiln firing as she doesn’t understand the various aspects of getting everything on the same page so to speak. We have several books on ceramics and glazing which are good as far as they go but the workshop experience offers priceless things you cant get out of a book.

Your combining with Ken was a fantastic way to deepen the experience of the event and I hope others appreciate just how unique it was to participate in this workshop.

Best wishes

—Steve (September, 2023, Convergence 3 workshop)

———————————

Dear Akira and team

Thank you for sending the recordings of the workshop. I have just finished watching them, having missed the workshop due to Pacific/Australian time zones.

I really enjoyed the workshop and found the demonstrations easy to follow. I learned a great deal, especially about the different approaches to making chawans and kurinuki techniques. I have been looking for workshops that share this information for ages. I really appreciated the sharing of tips - for example, Akira’s tip for holding the dripping ladle and moving the pot through the drip. And Ken’s use of the hand in applying slips! The throwing and turning demos were also insightful - the use of wooden knives and efficiency of movements. The quality of audio was great. Most of my questions were asked by other participants - thankfully - and it’s good to have the transcriptions of these.

A few suggestions:

It would be helpful to have time markers for the videos with a workshop structure to enable quick reference back to the relevant sections.
Would it be possible to have a separate link to the slide shows as the video wasn’t always clear?
Slides of finished pieces showing the glazing techniques demonstrated.
It seemed like very hard work for Akira, having to interpret back and forth between Japanese and English. It was lovely to hear the interaction between the two potters but it felt like there could be a more efficient way.

Thanks very much again,

—Clare (September, 2023, Convergence 3 workshop)

———————————

Your workshop "Convergence 3" with Ken Matsuzaki, and Ken-san's watchful and skilled assistant, was brilliantly inspiring! I've officially spent 9 days sitting at the edge of my seat because this is my third online workshop with Akira-san and your remarkable team of assistants and photographers.

One day I would love to attend an in person workshop as well as experience your Mugen Gallery.

Just a note, congratulations to Akira for reaching Medicare age. I share a 1958 birth year with you.

Since you asked, my only frustration was with some annoying chat comments and the fact that I couldn't turn off viewing the student video gallery. I think we used the facilities and ate lunch with one distracting member. It makes for a good story at least, as well as a reminder to turn off my own video during personal times. I am fully aware none of these things are under your control.

Your slide presentations are integral and necessary for the students to experience a genuine understanding of your remarkable works. My vote is to keep the slides, videos and conversation that offers us the background and spontaneous gist of your world. (And I looked it up, there are no appropriate terms in the English language for "aesthetic emotion"or "spontaneous gist". I'm sure there are many in the Japanese dictionary).

Also, translating technical information for us couldn't have been an easy task, but you made it appear effortless. Kudos!

I'm grateful for this opportunity . . you have no idea how much.

Domo arigatogozaimasu,

—Carrie (September, 2023, Convergence 3 workshop)

———————————

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge and showing demos on this workshop. I was a bit skeptical in advance because this was an online workshop, but it has been so inspiring and I’m going to start experimenting straight away on some of the techniques.

—Kristine (September, 2023, Convergence 3 workshop)

———————————

Thanks to you all for presenting this seminar. I had been steadily doing pottery from 2007 until 2019, when the pandemic hit New York City and I have admired the work both of you have done for several years. Unfortunately, I have not returned to it since the pandemic hit and a couple of knee replacements became necessary. Watching and hearing about your techniques and motivations was inspiring and I will certainly have some of your words in mind when I make it back to a pottery work bench.

It was a privilege to be able to take part in this experience.

Thanks so much, again,

—Geoff (September, 2023, Convergence 3 workshop)

———————————