Kurinuki Forms

In this workshop, we’re exploring Kurinuki, a traditional Japanese carving technique that means “to carve out.”

Unlike building or pinching clay outward, Kurinuki starts with a single solid block of clay. Instead of adding clay to create your form, you’ll slowly remove it to reveal the vessel hidden within.

We’ll explore how to work slowly and intuitively, carving both the inside and outside of your piece while allowing the natural texture and imperfections of the clay to become part of the finished form.

You’ll learn how to control wall thickness, carve a foot ring or flat base, and refine your rim without losing the raw character that makes Kurinuki pieces so unique. We’ll also experiment with found objects and simple tools to create interesting textures across the exterior.

This workshop is about slowing down, connecting with the clay and allowing the process to guide you. Every piece will be different, and the natural variations and marks created along the way are part of what makes Kurinuki so beautiful.

This workshop is ideal for beginners and experienced potters who want to try something different, work more intuitively and create a strong, completely one-of-a-kind vessel.

What you'll learn

• What Kurinuki is and the history and philosophy behind the technique
• How to shape a vessel from a single solid block of clay
• How to carve the interior and exterior of your vessel
• How to remove clay safely and evenly
• How to control wall thickness and avoid weak spots
• How to create a foot ring or flat base
• How to use found objects and simple tools to create surface texture
• How to stretch and refine your form without losing its natural texture
• How to refine the rim while maintaining the character of the piece
• How to embrace imperfection and natural variation
• How to dry your piece to support even moisture release
• How to work slowly and intuitively while developing your own unique form