The Six Ancestral Kilns or Six Ancient Kilns (六古窯, Rokkoyo) is a term developed to describe the oldest and most notable ceramic kilns in Japan.

During this evening, art historian and Japanese ceramics expert Anne Walther will introduce you to the ceramics of the Six Ancestral Kilns. She will also introduce you to the Japanese teapots (kyusu, hohin, shiboridashi), bowls (chawan) and cups (yunomi).

You will also have the opportunity to taste a delicious selection of Japanese teas carefully chosen by our tutor Sujin Lee, including an extremely rare Japanese “White Sencha”, available to you at a special discount price.

This event is for everyone: whether you know nothing about Japanese ceramics, and want to start learning, or you are passionate about Japanese teapots and just want the opportunity to taste some high-quality unusual green varieties direct from Japan, selected by our tutor Sujin.

From earthy unglazed clay to fine white porcelain, ceramics are found in nearly every one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Produced using local materials, Japanese ceramics tend to be named according to their place of origin, including Bizen ware, Shigaraki ware, Tokoname ware, etc. You will also see the names written with the suffix -yaki (焼), which means “fired” as in “fired ceramic ware”.

This is sure to be a unique evening learning about Japanese ceramics, with the additional opportunity to taste some truly rare and special teas.

Below you will see the Japanese teas carefully chosen by our tutor Sujin Lee to brew during this event. Co-founder of Tea Repertoire in London and Switzerland, Sujin travels extensively to source the very best teas around the world. Sujin and Anne share a passion for Japan, ceramics, and green teas with delicate floral notes.

Teas

Once you make your booking you will be sent a discount code to order any Japanese tea from Sujin’s company Tea Repertoire with a special reduction of 20%

UKTA, Sujin and Anne highly recommend the following teas to be tasted during this webinar:

Golden Treasure Shiracha
Golden Treasure Shiracha, also known as “White Sencha” or “Golden Sencha” is an extremely, rare, and highly praised Japanese green tea among Japanese tea connoisseurs. Made from rare Hoshino-Midori cultivar grown in Yame, its leaves are naturally white when new shoots and new tea leaves grow. When tea leaves are exposed to the sun, tea leaves gradually turn green, due to the process of photosynthesis. Therefore new spring tea shoots and leaves are quickly harvested before they go through photosynthesis, preserving its unique, deep, rich, and umami flavour.

Sencha Asamushi
Sencha Asamushi is a lightly steamed sencha, highly praised by Japanese green tea connoisseurs for its elegant and refreshing aroma and flavour. Originating from an award-winning, family-run tea garden in Uji, which has been established during the Tensho era, this gracious Sencha Asamushi is one of the best examples of sencha we’ve discovered.

You may also attend the Zoom webinar without purchasing the teas. All are welcome.

About Anne
Anne Walther is an art historian living in the French part of Switzerland. She fluently speaks four languages and works as a heritage manager and museum curator in the fine watchmaking field. Nurturing a passion for the Land of the Rising Sun for more than 20 years, she enjoys learning, writing, and sharing her enthusiasm for Japanese art, culture, and craftsmanship.

What will I need?

Your phone, computer or tablet to join the webinar via Zoom
Optional: Brewing equipment (kettle, teapot etc.) and a surface on which to brew the teas during the webinar

Things to know

Order your favourite Japanese tea from Tea Repertoire with a special reduction of 20% allowed to UKTA students. Your teas will be shipped directly by Tea Repertoire in Switzerland to you.
Please order your teas at least 3 weeks before the event, to allow time for shipment of teas.

Six Ancient Kilns of Japan: An evening of Japanese ceramics with Anne Walther