Feel like a potter! ? In Yokkaichi, a city of industry and culture, we have had a refreshing experience that will bring you back to your childhood ♪: Ai Yamamoto's Miebi! Yokkaichi edition

[See Ai Yamamoto! ] What is it? Actress Ai Yamamoto from Mie Prefecture travels around Mie Prefecture! This is a travel report article that introduces in his own writing what he ``saw, heard, and felt'' by visiting tourist spots in Mie Prefecture himself.

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Do you know about Banko-Yaki yaki?

Banko-Yaki is a type of pottery created during the Edo period by Nunami Rouzan, a merchant from Kuwana, Mie Prefecture.
The origin of the name Banko-Yaki is said to be from stamping the mark ``Banko Fuyuki'' with the wish that ``my work will remain unchanged and be passed down forever.''
Banko-Yaki has a wide variety of tableware, teapots, clay pots, and flower vases, and can be used in a variety of situations. It is designated as a traditional craft as a representative local industry of YokkaichiCity City, Mie Prefecture.

This time, we learned that there is a facility where you can make your own Banko-Yaki, so we had a pottery experience♪

That facility is "BankonoSatoCenter" located in Yokkaichi YokkaichiCity Prefecture!
Here, you can fully enjoy pottery under the careful guidance of professionals, including pottery experiences, regular pottery classes where you can learn in earnest, and even painting experience courses!

This time I went to experience pottery♪

Change into an apron and say, “Let’s do it!” Actually, it was my first time making pottery, and I was very excited.
We will get started right away under the guidance of our instructor, Mr. Ishida.

*Please bring your own apron♪

To create this work, I will use an electric potter's wheel.
It is said that it will be difficult at first, but even if you fail, you can still make some! I've seen the electric potter's wheel many times on TV, but seeing it in person is even more exciting.

I got to choose what to make, so I chose a teacup! !

Let's start.

As a basic posture, it is important to firmly fix your elbows to your thighs so that your arms do not shake when touching the clay.
After pounding the clay with your hands and shaping it, you will shape the teacup. Use your finger to make a hole in the center of the clay, and once you have determined the depth, spread the hole horizontally and lift it up to create the vertical width of the teacup.
When I wrapped it in my palm, the clay changed shape in an interesting way, and it felt like the clay was alive, which was a very strange feeling.
Manipulating the soil makes you feel like a magician! lol
You will be able to kindly guide us through the many steps, so you can proceed with peace of mind!

Next, make the thickness of the teacup even.
Mr. Ishida taught me how to use my hands, and using the index fingers of both hands, I slowly lifted the clay from the outside and inside at the same time, from bottom to top.

Ahhh.

This process was the most difficult for me! The positions of the outer and inner index fingers were misaligned, and the clay became limp and deformed.
I'm so frustrated...

Not to be defeated, try again from the beginning!

Next is done! ! I did, but I was being too cautious and lifted it with my fingers a little slower...
As a result, a cute teacup with a bulge in the middle was created.The finishing touch is a tool made from deer skin called ``tannedhi''.
Adjusting the greenness of the work will improve the texture of the teacup.

Gradually, I got used to pottery and was able to do the entire process by myself.
Next is my third attempt! Honesty for the third time! ! ! So, I will remember what Mr. Ishida taught me and strive to create the ideal teacup! ! !

In the end, we were able to overcome the difficult points and create a beautifully shaped teacup with even thickness.
When I finished it, I felt such a great sense of accomplishment that I couldn't help but exclaim, "I did it!" lol

Here are the three completed teacups!
If you look at it again, you can clearly see the growth process. lol
Now that you can bake all three, let's decide on the color♪

You can choose from these 9 colors.
All the colors are elegant and have their own merits, so I was really confused... lol

It will be completed in a month, so I can't wait to see how it turns out!
Also, I'm thinking of uploading a photo after it's completed ♪ Please look forward to seeing which color I chose until then! ! !

This completes the entire process. My first pottery experience.
It was a really fun time! Thanks in part to Mr. Ishida's kind advice to "praise and improve," I was able to take on the challenge very relaxed.

While I was making it, I was totally absorbed in it, and it felt like I was back in my childhood.
It's so much fun to make something with your own hands, even when you're an adult! The pottery experience can be enjoyed by yourself or in a group, so try it out as a family with your kids! I felt that it was wonderful.

In the pottery experience, you can make various other things, so I would definitely like to participate again! !

After enjoying pottery, you can shop at "Utsuwa-tei" on the second floor.
At Utsuwatei, we sell Banko-Yaki ware directly!

The store was very spacious and there were many types of Banko-Yaki on sale! Banko-Yaki is ordered directly from the pottery, and you can purchase it at a reasonable price that can only be obtained through direct sales!

While I was looking around the store, I found a cute clay pot!
One of the charms of Banko-Yaki is that it is hard to break and many items can be directly fired.
If you cook rice in this cute earthenware pot, it will taste even better!

The store also had teapots, earthenware, tableware, etc., and there was a wide variety of items ranging from everyday items to expensive items. If you have a hard time choosing among the many products available, just ask the staff at the store and they will not only explain the product to you, but also give you a little bit of knowledge!
I felt that having one on the dining table would add a new dimension of enjoyment to meals, and it would also make a wonderful gift.

【basic information】
BankonoSatoCenter
Address: 4-8 Toue YokkaichiCity Yokkaichi-shi, 510-0035
Phone number: 059-330-2020
Business hours: 9:00-17:00 (2nd floor Utsuwakan 10:00-17:00)
Closed: Mondays *Closed during summer and year-end and New Year holidays
Official website http://www.bankonosato.jp/
○About pottery experience
・Pottery experience course 2,500 yen (duration: 2 and a half hours)
・Painting experience course Tea cups, plates, etc. 1,000 yen~ (about 1 hour and a half)
*Please contact us in advance regarding the use of electric potter's wheel for pottery experience.
*Please bring your own apron.
*In addition to the above, we also hold regular pottery classes, so please check the official website for details.

After leaving BankonoSatoCenter, the next place I visited was Banko Shrine, which was right in front of me.
This is a shrine related to Banko-Yaki, and the founder of Banko-Yaki ``Nunami Fakuzan'' is enshrined here.

In the precincts, there is also a monument to Chuzaemon Yamanaka, who is said to have created the foundation of modern Banko-Yaki.
And every year, the Banko Festival and Earthen Pot Memorial Festival are held at Banko Shrine, attracting a large number of visitors.

This shrine is perfect for this area, which has connections to Banko-Yaki. I'm glad I was able to visit! !

【basic information】
Banko Shrine
Address: 3-21 Sueeicho, Yokkaichi YokkaichiCity

After enjoying Banko-Yaki, enjoy the sweetness♪
The last place we visited was `` Naga-Mochi Sasai-ya'' in Yokkaichi, which sells a very popular historical confectionery.

This time I visited the main store.

This is Sasaiya's famous confectionery "Naga-Mochi".

“Naga-Mochi” is a famous historical confectionery that has been popular since the Sengoku period in 1550!
Sasaiya has been dedicated to preserving the city's famous products since ancient times. Each piece is carefully handmade, and the taste that hasn't changed since ancient times is the secret behind having so many die-hard fans.
I am very curious about the taste that has been loved for 400 years. I would like to receive it as soon as possible! ! !

I was surprised when I took a bite.
Oh! The rice cake will stretch out a lot! The very soft mochi was filled with sweet bean paste, and the moment I ate it, I was filled with happiness.
Both sides of the rice cake are lightly grilled, and the combination of aroma, chewiness, and sweet bean paste is exquisite! ! !
It had a mild, comforting taste, and I couldn't stop eating the elegant sweetness. It was very delicious! Thank you for the meal!

I also had my photo taken with everyone at Sasai-ya!

Both of them had very nice smiles and I felt that their warm customer service was very nice. This Sasai-ya has table seats inside the store, so you can eat it right where you bought it.
Since each Naga-Mochi is individually wrapped, I felt it would be perfect as a souvenir!

Naga-Mochi popular for many years. Please come and try it when you visit Yokkaichi♪

【basic information】
Naga-Mochi Sasaiya
Address: 5-13 YokkaichiCity 510-0081
Phone number: 059-351-8800
Business hours: 8:30-18:30
Closed: Open all year round (New Year's Day only)
Official website: https://www.nagamochi.co.jp/

This concludes this trip.
There were many new discoveries this time too, and it was a very fulfilling day ♪

YokkaichiCity is a city full of charm, not only for Banko-Yaki and Naga-Mochi that we introduced this time, but also for the fantastic night view of the factory area created by one of Japan's most powerful industrial complexes, and Tonteki（PorkSteak）. is.

YokkaichiCity is easily accessible from neighboring Aichi Prefecture. Why not come visit us and experience its charm from morning till night?

By the way··
The vessel I made at this time was delivered the next day! !

Even if you think it's a failure, when you bake it like this, it tastes great and tastes great!

I feel attached to it because I made it myself♪
I love using it to serve the food I make!

<Ai Yamamoto Profile>
Born in 1995, from Mie Prefecture. She made her debut as an actress in the 2016 drama ``Tokyo Joshi Zukan''. After that, he appeared in TV dramas such as ``Mystery Live'' series (16-17) and ``Detective Story'' (18), and made his first regular appearance in a drama series in ``Todome no Kiss'' (18). ``Your Bird Sings'' (2018) will be her first film appearance, and she has many films in the pipeline. In addition to her acting career, she has appeared on Mie Television's information program ``Very Wakudoki! He is active in many activities, such as appearing as a reporter on the ``High Five! Mie'' corner of ``High Five!