From nature, back to nature
We work the clay not with machines, but with hands, feet, and wooden tools
Choosing sensory connection over convenience, and following rhythm instead of speed This is how Onggi has always been born
What is Onggi?
Onggi is one of the oldest forms of everyday pottery used in Korea
Pottery Born from Daily Life
Onggi was not made for special exhibitions
It was created to hold everyday
life food, seasons, and time itself
It stored kimchi, allowed fermented sauces to mature,
kept water fresh, and breathed together with nature
A World-Class Ceramic Technique
A technique capable of creating
the largest pottery, the thinnest walls,
and doing so in the shortest time
This method demands more human sensitivity
and craftsmanship than any other ceramic technique
The Foundation of Korean Ceramics
The making of onggi led to celadon, white porcelain, and buncheong, becoming the root of Korean ceramic tradition
A technique that has quietly formed
the foundation of Korean ceramics that is onggi
How Is This Class Conducted?
This class is based on the traditional onggi-making methods passed down in the Jeolla region of Korea
Without using machines, you will learn how to work with clay using only your hands, feet, and wooden tools
The class begins with developing a basic physical sense of the clay
You will then form the base, build up the walls, and gradually expand the shape through rhythmic beating
This process is unique to onggi a method that allows the creation of pottery
that is both exceptionally large and remarkably thin
Step 1: slab
Step 2 : base
Step 3 : building
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Step 4 : paddling
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Step 5 : rim
Time Spent with Someone
Who Has Studied Onggi for 40 Years
HYANGJONG OH
Contemporary artist
Hyangjong Oh is a contemporary ceramic artist.
To better understand his own work, he began studying onggi
But onggi was not just a single technique
It was a way of handling clay using hands, feet, and wooden tools a method of creating forms that are both large and thin and a world deeply connected to daily life, food, and nature
Captivated by this deep and expansive world,
he has studied onggi for over 40 years
"
I feel like I’m only now beginning
to understand the true depth of onggi
"
Time with Onggi
The same clay, the same space Yet every piece carries its own time
clay that has settled into the hands
A first onggi
a month of time
"A transformative month learning Onggi with Master Oh
I didn’t just learn techniques
I discovered the rhythm, history, and spirit of Onggi"
"I fell in love with Jeju and Onggi, and that’s why I came back for a second time
The four months I spent here gave me memories and connections I will never forget"
Eun-Yeong Kong GER
"More than a class a deeply immersive experience
I left with new skills, lasting inspiration, and meaningful connections"
Lily Bump, NYC
@lilybmp
Learning from Master Oh,
who bridges tradition and contemporary practice, changed how I see ceramics
Jeju became a turning point in my journey as a ceramist
Onggi Classes You Can Join Now
This class is limited to a maximum of six participants
Not to teach more people, but to spend deeper time with each pair of hands
Core Techniques and Sensory Understanding of Onggi
Recommended for:
-
Those who want to study Onggi in depth
-
Those who wish to spend meaningful time with clay and the making process
A Calm and Focused Introduction
to the Onggi Process
Recommended for:
-
Those seeking a short yet meaningful experience
-
Those curious about the full flow of Onggi making
An Introduction to Clay and the Sensory World of Onggi
Recommended for:
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Travelers looking for a hands-on cultural experience during their trip
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Beginners with no prior experience
"
It’s okay if this is your first time.
We’ll move forward together, step by step
"
Still deciding?
You don’t have to decide right away.
This course waits for a prepared mind, not for those in a hurry.
The clay is always here, and so is this class
When you feel ready, you are welcome to return