Polite to Stranger
Cultural · Traditional · Arts
初めて陶芸を体験するんですが、何から始めればよろしいでしょうか？ — It's my first time trying pottery. What should I start with? (Cultural · Traditional · Arts, Polite to Stranger, JLPT N4)
You
初めて陶芸を体験するんですが、何から始めればよろしいでしょうか？
はじめてとうげいをたいけんするんですが、なにからはじめればよろしいでしょうか？
It's my first time trying pottery. What should I start with?
Romaji: Hajimete tougei o taiken surun desu ga, nani kara hajimereba yoroshii deshou ka? / Reply Romaji: Hai, mazu tsuchi no kanshoku ni narete moraimasu ne.
Reply
はい、まず土の感触に慣れてもらいますね。
はい、まずつちのかんしょくになれてもらいますね。
Sure, we'll start by getting used to the feel of the clay.
Gesture & etiquette
Polite small bow when greeting the instructor (15 degrees). Watch their hands attentively as they demonstrate. Mimic their posture at the wheel. If you make a mistake, smile and bow slightly — pottery culture values calm acceptance over frustration.
Pottery (tougei) studios across Japan welcome visitors for hands-on classes, and showing humility ('first-timer') opens generous instruction. 'Yoroshii deshou ka' is more polite than 'ii desu ka' — appropriate for addressing a master craftsperson (shokunin). Always remove watches and rings before working with clay, and tie back long hair.