Wheel Throwing (Rokuro)
Wheel throwing (Japanese: rokuro ろくろ) is a pottery forming technique in which clay vessels are shaped on a rotating wheel. The potter centers a lump of clay on the wheel head and gradually pulls and shapes the clay while the wheel spins, allowing symmetrical forms to be produced efficiently.
Wheel throwing became an important method in Japanese ceramics from the medieval period onward and is used in many ceramic traditions including Bizen ware, Seto ware, Shigaraki ware, Arita ware, and Karatsu ware. The technique enables the production of a wide range of forms such as bowls, cups, jars, bottles, and plates.
During the process the potter typically performs several stages: centering the clay, opening the form, pulling the walls upward, shaping the profile, and refining the rim and foot. After the vessel reaches its final shape it is usually cut from the wheel head using a wire tool and left to dry before trimming and firing.
In Japanese workshops the pottery wheel may be powered by foot, hand, or electric motor. Traditional kick wheels remain in use in some studios, while modern electric wheels are common in contemporary production.
Wheel throwing is one of the most widely used forming techniques in ceramics and plays a central role in the production of many Japanese ceramic wares.
