Arts and Culture

18 May 2015 - 08:08

Unlocking the Secrets of Okinawan Pottery

For generations, Okinawans potters have passed their expertise directly from master to student. There are no textbooks explaining how to make the beautiful pieces characteristic of Okinawa. Masters...

Type: News Article

15 May 2015 - 09:31

Pottery Inside Kiln

Masters place pieces at the front, middle or back of the chamber based on their clay composition and glaze colors. OIST researchers were able to use high-powered instruments to document what is in...

Type: Photo

15 May 2015 - 09:14

Firing Schedule

It takes a full three days and nights to fire the 13-chambered kiln. Teams work in shifts around the clock to feed the flames.

Type: Photo

15 May 2015 - 09:11

Dani Analyzes Pottery

OIST researcher Anya Dani uses a portable X-ray Florescence Spectrometer to analyze the composition of elements in a piece of pottery.

Type: Photo

15 May 2015 - 09:05

Kitagama Kiln

Kitagama “North Kiln” is a 13-chamber climbing kiln in Yomitan. It is the largest in Okinawa.

Type: Photo

15 May 2015 - 08:55

Manning the Flames

A pottery student monitors the size of the flames and adds more firewood every few minutes. It takes about four hours to fire each chamber. OIST researchers used thermometric chips inside the chamber...

Type: Photo

15 May 2015 - 08:54

Colorful Cups

Thousands of pieces of colorful pottery are made during each firing. OIST researchers analyzed what components in the glazes give rise to the different blue, brown, black, white, green and zaffer...

Type: Photo

17 Dec 2014 - 10:46

Visitors on Campus Tour at Art Exhibition in Center Building

Photo credits to (OIST/Murray)

Type: Photo

4 Jul 2014 - 11:28

Humpback Whale Comes to OIST

OIST has a new resident: a life-size humpback whale! Last Saturday, June 28, eighty children visited OIST to paint a mural of a humpback whale with Okinawan artist pokke104. The fourteen-meter long...

Type: News Article