What is Kurinuki?

Kurinuki translates in Japanese 'to hollow' and is a traditional technique to make pottery from carving away from a single block of clay. Hollowing out clay in this way is a slow and meditative process that produces truly unique one-of-a-kind ceramics that can never be repeated.

At its core, Kurinuki is more than just a pottery technique; it's a philosophy that honours the uniqueness of each piece and the story it tells through its textures and shapes. The process is deliberate, allowing each scratch and indentation to become a testament to the artist's journey.

Since it's simply a method of building, almost the entire spectrum of shaping and texturing options are viable with kurinuki, including cutting, paddling, tearing, impressing, squeezing, stretching, and carving. You may use any kind of clay, from porcelain to chunky, groggy stoneware to terra cotta.