My favorite pottery studio in the city! It's rare to find a peaceful alcove in this city, and that's what Togei's become for me. Came here for 2 sets of beginner classes, and coming back for a 3rd time for advanced classes. Very chill, open space. Small studio, and pricier than what you can find, but everyone is extremely kind and I find it more rare to find a place that feels like home immediately. Lessons wise, they start you with strong basics from the start and Japanese techniques based on the way the wheel spins, throwing off the hump, and spiral wedging. Highly recommend! read more

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Did a one day hand building class and it was such a fun experience! Great for bonding - whether it's work or a date! You get to take home a cup and a plate / bowl so you'll even have souvenirs. The plate you can make into whatever shape you want, whether it's a heart, leaf, etc. You'll also get an opportunity to stamp shapes / letters / any design into the plate before it's finished. Really makes such a cute gift! read more

Togei Kyoshitsu - Specialty Schools Near Me - New York, New York

This is specific to their customer service -- I signed up for their Beginner Wheel Series classes, and 2 days before the classes started I slipped and fell on my hands (heard a crack upon impact). I also sent them a photo of my injured hand as proof. While I was waiting on the X-Ray results to see if I had broken my wrist and hand, I notified the studio that I would not be able to participate and asked if I could have the funds allocated towards future classes. They denied that request and also did not give me a full refund. Given this was an urgent situation that was out of my control, I had expected the studio to be more amenable with how they compensated. However, I found their customer service to be poor, and I expected better from such a reputable studio. read more

For my birthday, by boyfriend signed us up for the one day wheel class for two. When we arrived to the facility conveniently located in K-Town, all the equipment and material we needed to create the ceramics were ready for us. The instructor guides us through every step and helped us create a few pieces. She then left us to create as many pieces as we wanted, making sure to come by every once in a while to give us some tips. At the end of the class, we were able to choose three (3) pieces each (any additional pieces were for extra $$) for them to trim, fire and glaze. It takes about 3-4 weeks to receive the pieces after the class. Pros: - Great instructor who will guide you step by step - All equipment and materials are provided for you - Can make as many pieces as you like - Three (3) pieces are included with the class and you can pay for any additional piece trimming, firing, and glazing cost Cons: - Long wait to get the pieces Overall: While very difficult, the class was amazing and it gave me a real appreciate for the art. If you're interesting in trying ceramics or just want to try something different, I definitely recommend this class. You can attend with your SO, your friend(s), or family. It's a great class for anyone read more

Togei Kyoshitsu - Specialty Schools Near Me - New York, New York

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Easily 5/5 experience. I took a one day hand building session. The class is 2 hours. My friends and I unfortunately ran a few minutes late. Another girl came in even later. Our instructor was very patient - she finished instructing the rest of the group and had them work on the particular step they were on while she caught us up. The space is great - it's a small studio but very chill and doesn't feel clunky or hectic. I went to a wheel throwing class in Williamsburg and I felt so rushed and cramped - wasn't a good experience. So I was pleasantly surprised by Togei! I think my good experience definitely had to do with the instructor (I forget her name - it was on Saturday 9/24 12:30 class). She was very nice and gave good instructions. She also didn't make us feel rushed in any way. The class was originally 2 hours but when I looked at the clock towards the end, we were already 15 minutes over... which really never happens. Usually classes rush you out (which I understand too tbh). But it was just rly nice they gave us some flexibility. The class was intimate, we only had a total of 7 people. I really enjoyed hand building. It felt a little more forgiving than the wheel. It was also very therapeutic. We made a cup and a plate. I'm waiting for my pieces to be fired/glazed to pick them up. I would totally try another class here and recommend it to others. read more

Togei Kyoshitsu - Specialty Schools Near Me - New York, New York

Came for a one day class for 2 hours. You can reserve this by emailing them. Our class was with Ayumi who was very awesome! The studio is situated upstairs, so ring the bell from the street view. The beginner class let's you make a cup and a plate. The instructions are easy and stepwise from Ayumi to make things. She is very genial and talks with you to put you at ease. It was a lot of fun and we can't wait to pick up our cup and plate since they will fire it, and glaze it for you with a variety of different color tones. The class was so much fun for me and my wife. Wish we had something like this in Washington DC. Very affordable and fun event. They also have longer class sessions that last for weeks. read more

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I became a member at the NYTogeiKyoshitsu back in the mid 90's before I went to Japan to do an apprenticeship with Sakuma Fujita, a 4th generation of potters in Mashiko. Mr. Nishimori and I used to go to the same Pottery studio back then (when it closed ) At that time Mr. Nishimori owned a Japanese restaurant and wanted to do keep working on his own pieces , that's when he decided to create and open the New York Togei Kyoshitsu and I joined his studio . I am member #5 and rented Room #5 for over 20 years . Now days, I go to throw small pieces in the wheel from time to time. I had follow Mr. Nishimori until his wife Mako san took over after he passed. Ms. Mako Nishimori and now her Daughter Risa have being running the place for many years, keeping the tradition and this wonderful place open to relax and be creative. Risa offers classes in the school from beginners levels to advance with her team. I love going there (now days it has been more challenging due to COVID and my Underlying condition, (It is my special place to go) Thank you dear Nishimori family for keeping the Togei dream open. My love and gratitude always, Susana B. Endo Here are some of the pieces I have made at the Studio specialty for my husband that loves cooking. read more

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Loved taking classes at this studio, took both a wheel and a hand building class a few years ago and found everyone to be so lovely and helpful read more

Before we delve into the review, let it be known to the readers that I do not Yelp. Ever. I might have given a Yelp review four stars and seven years ago to get a free chicken thigh somewhere when I ran out of money, but I have never been inclined to write another review since. The fact that I am writing this should be a compelling reason enough for you to check this gem of a place out. My friends and I decided to take a last minute 2-hour hand building workshop at 4:30pm. We arrived at 5:30pm due to severe train delays. They close at 6. I know, our bad. But still, Risa (the one who runs the place) welcomed us with open arms and immediately put us to work with some clay. Risa, simply put, was absolutely delightful. She laughed at our corny jokes (genuinely), taught us with extreme patience and professionalism, and stayed behind an extra two hours just to give us the full experience. Oh, and don't get her name wrong. It's RISA, not LISA despite how it may sound phonetically when she first introduces herself. The studio itself had a home-y vibe to it and everyone there seemed to be in a state of zen, completely relaxed. It's intimate and leans a bit on the quieter side for students to really focus on their pieces. This introductory course was $45 for the full two hours. You make two pieces of whatever it is you'd like to make. I made a cup and a bowl. Both ended up looking like bowls but I like cereal so it's okay. And they only turned out like that due to the lack of skill on my part. My friends' pieces came out amazing. She'll be glazing and firing them up for us and we'll soon be back to pick them up. Definitely looking forward to our next visit. Now make me an Elite member already, Yelp. read more

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Incredibly friendly and fantastic teacher for beginners. We did a drop in class and had an amazing time. read more

Togei Kyoshitsu - Specialty Schools Near Me - New York, New York

I took the four week handbuilding class. Perhaps a part of my dissatisfaction lies in how unforgiving ceramics as an art is - I personally prefer delicate, minimal pieces - adjectives that do not work for a clumsy beginner. What I found dissatisfactory about my class experience was the progressive lack of instruction, and the disorganization with which material was taught. During the first class, our instructor Risa was engaged and engaging. She broke the ice with small talk, and gave us precise step-by-step instructions with demonstrations. That precedent was quickly broken in the coming weeks, where she would often be doing something else with other things/people in the studio, and just not being as available as she should be given that we're paying her for her time. I also felt like her instructions/demonstrations became more disruptive than helpful, as she would sometimes demonstrate something with a piece you're working on and then utterly change the look of what you're going for. The glazing and final class was the worst - she asked us to read a sign on the wall instead of verbally expressing what is important. She did not give a clear overview of the different kinds of glazing methods and processes UPFRONT, which meant that I would complete a step before I knew what to do next and then I'd find out from her that the first step I did was detrimental to what I wanted to achieve. Last but not least, I was extremely irritated that nowhere in the class description or during the course was I told that there was a firing fee for my pieces. If I had known that was the case, I may have been more judicious with the things I chose to fire instead of the rinky dink pieces. Despite my criticism, I do want to express that the studio seems like a chill, and friendly community. However, the class did not work for someone like me - someone who wanted more structured instruction. read more

I make internets all day long, and thusly I use the keyboard way too much. I yearned for something for more of a tactile feel, that involved radial symmetry, but I wanted to go somewhere a little more professional than a 1 night "Sip and Spin" class. I also wanted to satisfy my personal aesthetic interests, and give a shot at doing something I did barely after a summer one time in middle school. Enter Togei Kyoshitsu. Tucked in the "oddball street" of kind-of Midtown Manhattan (that seems to be home of more than a few other interesting businesses), Togei's space is relatively big all considering. Lots of shelf space and lots of projects flying around. I signed up for the six week Rokuro wheel throwing class more or less sight unseen that included open studio access. Classes are long (this is a good thing), but one of the things you learn about clay is that it's repetition and a lot of "feel" once you have the general basics down. It's all very highly tactile, and while not exactly trial and error, methodical growing process of feeling how the lump works with your hands. For staff, Risa, Kortney, and Mako all go above and beyond to help people out and there is definitely a feel of community in the studio. Just a forewarning, this is a very unforgiving art. After almost two months of going in for two to six hours a day (Tuesday/Thursday/Friday), I still beef it up and consider my pieces "Eh... I guess it's a start." for now. Firing fees are reasonable and the glaze selection is beautiful. There is a one evening hand building class that you can go to if you just want to get your feet wet where you get to make two items, as hand building is much more forgiving. Definitely my new hangout. read more

Togei was our first time trying Japanese pottery (or any pottery for that matter). Couldn't have started at a better place! We got there a little late for the one day handbuilding class, but Risa stayed an extra couple hours to see our class through. Very kind! She was really patient with us even though we pretty much sucked. Super cool person to get to know, and the other students there were welcoming as well. A great place to relax and learn a new craft. read more

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Extremely talented teachers and humble owners! Small studio so I recommend being conscientious of the space and other's stuff. It feels more like a real artist studio, not a craft area. I do feel like people really care about keeping the studio nice and a positive spirit though it is not snobby or competitive. I had been wanting to go here for a couple years and was so happy I did!!! "What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are." ― C.S. Lewis, The Magician's Nephew read more

Togei Kyoshitsu - NY Togei Kyoshitsu - Specialty Schools Near Me - New York, New York

Flew into NY just to take 4 straight days of one on one instruction. I was pleasantly surprised how quickly i could produce fairly nice items. Teachers are expert in understanding what you need to know, and they patiently guide you step by step. Cost is super reasonable too. Extremely enjoyable. I will be going back soon. read more

I took the "taiken one day trial course" because I've decided to learn making pottery but just was not sure which place to go. The cost was $60, my expectations were to learn some basic techniques and knowledge of pottery making. But was quite disappointed. I was about to give one star review but the pieces after firing are a bit better than my expectation so I added one more star to the review. The trial course is actually 2 hours. Well, if it's only 2 hours then really the course name should be "2 hour trial course" to make it clear. Anyway I learned about the duration of the course through email and was told that we'll make a cup and a plate in the course. On the day of the course, very little instructions were given. And almost zero knowledge of pottery was taught. I feel the whole lesson was like a group of kindergarten kids playing with blocks. The instructor seemed not interested in teaching pottery, but more interested in chitchat with students about their lunchs and dinners. I feel I was discouraged to make some shapes that I prefer. I was basically told that I can not make it, or she doesn't plan to cover this in the trial lesson, or something need to be done the step before (and I wasn't instructed to prepare for it in the previous step). None of those is a good reason, I'm not sure if she assumed I can not build things because I don't have experience in pottery or was it because of the limited time. Not until I actually make the cup and plate that I realized 2 hours are extremely limited to build 2 items. If I was given the chance I would rather just do 1 instead of 2. Unfortunately I feel I was rushed the whole time to just do whatever I was told to do. After the items are built, we were told that they will do the glazing and firing and we will be notified once the items are ready for pick up. Again, zero knowledge about glazing and firing was even mentioned. I seriously do not think those are something you can completely skip even if it's a trial lesson. read more

Took the Taiken trial course with three friends, taught by Caroline. She was super patient and helpful and we each created a cup/bowl plate of our own design. At the end of the class you choose your glaze and they take care of firing and glazing. You get to pick up your pieces after a few weeks. Highly recommend this experience! Everyone ended up with awesome looking pieces! The space is intimate and relaxing. Lots of inspiration on the shelves and skilled ceramicists working together alongisde one another. read more

Owners of Togei are very nice, helpful and informative. I enjoyed going to my classes.

A wonderful experience! Went on a date night for a private session here. We made a plate and cup each, and the instructor was so helpful and kind. Helped us when necessary, but also gave ample space. read more

So i wanted to update my review a bit. As i said in my earlier review, i had an excellent time and i wanted to make my review final since i have officially finished Togei's beginner's class. Towards the end of the classes , i felt a bit wary vibe from others that made me feel a tad bit concerned. I believe i explained that theres not only Japanese people in this class, there are other groups of people as well, including alot of europeans. Me, being the only one in my specific class of color or around the studio for that matter as far as i could see, i most definitely felt like i was treated a bit different as in everyone was quite cautious around me or nervous talking to me. And at certain points when i was there, i felt like people were actually scared of me and im not even tall or anything. Yes,this does not stop me from continuing to take another class here because its a small crowd which i like, however, i am not that person portrayed in the media or that kid down your block who throws stones and i feel really bad some people can not differentiate the difference between a good and bad person because thats quite dangerous for your sake. Otherwise, i will be back, not sure when. I do recommend this class, just make sure you come in with ideas of something you'd like to create. Sky's the limit read more