top of page
Pottery Tools
Available for purchase at our studio while supplies last. Taxes not included.
Gyubera - Short Wide ($20)
Gyubera (literally "cow's tongue" in Japanese) is a traditional tool used in Arita, a major pottery center in Kyushu, Japan, known for its delicate porcelain ware. This traditional tool works equally well with stone and porcelain clay. It is used to shape the bottom and sides of a bowl, or to expand a cylinder into a bowl. Also, the shorter version can be used to compress the bottom of a plate or bowl.
Gyubera - Long ($22)
Gyubera (literally "cow's tongue" in Japanese) is a traditional tool used in Arita, a major pottery center in Kyushu, Japan, known for its delicate porcelain ware. This traditional tool works equally well with stone and porcelain clay. It is used to shape the bottom and sides of a bowl, or to expand a cylinder into a bowl. Also, the shorter version can be used to compress the bottom of a plate or bowl.
Double-Sided Knife ($22)
Great for cutting uneven rims.
Kanna - A ($16)
Different types of Kanna are used for specialized trimming or decorative work. All are held like a pencil, and used to trim away excess clay (to shape the foot of a plate, draw patterns, etc.).
Kanna - B ($16)
Different types of Kanna are used for specialized trimming or decorative work. All are held like a pencil, and used to trim away excess clay (to shape the foot of a plate, draw patterns, etc.).
Kanna - C ($16)
Different types of Kanna are used for specialized trimming or decorative work. All are held like a pencil, and used to trim away excess clay (to shape the foot of a plate, draw patterns, etc.).
Kanna - D ($16)
Different types of Kanna are used for specialized trimming or decorative work. All are held like a pencil, and used to trim away excess clay (to shape the foot of a plate, draw patterns, etc.).
Kanna - F ($16)
Different types of Kanna are used for specialized trimming or decorative work. All are held like a pencil, and used to trim away excess clay (to shape the foot of a plate, draw patterns, etc.).
Kanna - G ($16)
Different types of Kanna are used for specialized trimming or decorative work. All are held like a pencil, and used to trim away excess clay (to shape the foot of a plate, draw patterns, etc.).
Kushi - Small ($12)
Texturing and scoring tool.
Marugote - A ($16)
After opening a cylinder with the Gyubera tool, the Marugote is used to create a curve on the side wall. The Marugote can also be used to compress a piece's bottom. Unlike a flat, rubber rib, the Marugote's gently rounded surface will not scrape up clay.
What is the difference between Marugote A and B? A is used to create a bigger curve, and B is used to create a smaller curve (on the side wall of the piece). The smaller round end of Marugote B is the perfect tool to round out the sharp transition from a piece's bottom to its side wall.
What is the difference between Marugote A and B? A is used to create a bigger curve, and B is used to create a smaller curve (on the side wall of the piece). The smaller round end of Marugote B is the perfect tool to round out the sharp transition from a piece's bottom to its side wall.
Marugote - B ($16)
After opening a cylinder with the Gyubera tool, the Marugote is used to create a curve on the side wall. The Marugote can also be used to compress a piece's bottom. Unlike a flat, rubber rib, the Marugote's gently rounded surface will not scrape up clay.
What is the difference between Marugote A and B? A is used to create a bigger curve, and B is used to create a smaller curve (on the side wall of the piece). The smaller round end of Marugote B is the perfect tool to round out the sharp transition from a piece's bottom to its side wall.
What is the difference between Marugote A and B? A is used to create a bigger curve, and B is used to create a smaller curve (on the side wall of the piece). The smaller round end of Marugote B is the perfect tool to round out the sharp transition from a piece's bottom to its side wall.
Shippiki ($16)
Great for cutting pieces off the hump.
Shippiki String ($5)
Takebera - A ($13)
For wet trimming and texturing.
Tabekera - B ($13)
For wet trimming and texturing.
Tobikanna - A ($19)
Tobikanna, a jumping kanna in Japanese, is a chattering tool. It is also the name of a pattern created by the tool. This traditional, simple pattern is still used in Onta and Koishiwara wares in Kyushu, Japan. The potters usually apply a slip over greenware and then use a tobikanna to carve the top layer so the clay underneath shows up. This tool is best used when you trim your piece when it is leather hard. If the clay is too soft, the tool just trims rather than creates a pattern. If the clay is too hard, the tool will not carve deeply enough, and will only create a very faint pattern.
First, turn your wheel on. Then, touch the piece with the tip of a tobikanna. When you feel a vibration, it is doing the job. You can create a complicated pattern by: moving the tool up and down, changing the angle of the tip, changing the speed of the wheel, or changing the amount of pressure you apply on the tip of the tool. Since you cannot see the pattern you are creating when it is jumping, you may want to stop the wheel once in a while to check its progress.
First, turn your wheel on. Then, touch the piece with the tip of a tobikanna. When you feel a vibration, it is doing the job. You can create a complicated pattern by: moving the tool up and down, changing the angle of the tip, changing the speed of the wheel, or changing the amount of pressure you apply on the tip of the tool. Since you cannot see the pattern you are creating when it is jumping, you may want to stop the wheel once in a while to check its progress.
Tobikanna - B ($19)
Tobikanna, a jumping kanna in Japanese, is a chattering tool. It is also the name of a pattern created by the tool. This traditional, simple pattern is still used in Onta and Koishiwara wares in Kyushu, Japan. The potters usually apply a slip over greenware and then use a tobikanna to carve the top layer so the clay underneath shows up. This tool is best used when you trim your piece when it is leather hard. If the clay is too soft, the tool just trims rather than creates a pattern. If the clay is too hard, the tool will not carve deeply enough, and will only create a very faint pattern.
First, turn your wheel on. Then, touch the piece with the tip of a tobikanna. When you feel a vibration, it is doing the job. You can create a complicated pattern by: moving the tool up and down, changing the angle of the tip, changing the speed of the wheel, or changing the amount of pressure you apply on the tip of the tool. Since you cannot see the pattern you are creating when it is jumping, you may want to stop the wheel once in a while to check its progress.
First, turn your wheel on. Then, touch the piece with the tip of a tobikanna. When you feel a vibration, it is doing the job. You can create a complicated pattern by: moving the tool up and down, changing the angle of the tip, changing the speed of the wheel, or changing the amount of pressure you apply on the tip of the tool. Since you cannot see the pattern you are creating when it is jumping, you may want to stop the wheel once in a while to check its progress.
Tsuchikaki ($19)
Tsurunokubi ($22)
Tsurunokubi/Egote ("crane's neck" in Japanese) is very useful for shaping the inside side wall of tall or small-necked pieces (such as flower vases and sake bottles) which are too narrow to get a hand inside.
Uma ($14)
Used for leveling the bottoms of vessels and trimming.
Yuhagagshi ($16)
Used as a texturing tool on leather hard clay.
Yumi ($14)
For cutting uneven rims or edges. A great tool for nerikomi techniques.
bottom of page