Short video showing the manufacturing process of the Shigaraki Zen Ceramic Tubs. The spoken words for the video are in Japanese, but there are some English subtitles added. As the video shows, these tubs are all made totally by hand. The video actually shows 2 tubs being made. The first tub is made with an un-powered pottery wheel. The second starting at about 2:58, uses a powered pottery wheel. The un-powered pottery wheel requires the craftsman to spin the tub as they build the tub up. The end result is a tub which has more of a hand made characteristic (less smooth surface, etc.) which some people like. The powered pottery wheel can only be used on some models of round tubs up to about 52" diameter, and the end result is usually a tub with a smooth surface to it. The exclusive importer of these tubs into North America is AQUAPAL USA (aquapalusa.com).
