Celebrating 10 Years of Sasukenei

The Smokeless Kiln in Cerdeira

November 2025 - February 2026

What is a Japanese master ceramist doing in a tiny schist village in the Serra da Lousã? It all started when we learned that Masakazu Kusakabe had developed a smoke-free wood-firing kiln, and we invited him to lead the construction of one in Cerdeira, right in the heart of the mountains. Ten years later, this adventure continues.

Enchanted by the beauty of the Serra da Lousã, Masakazu Kusakabe gladly accepted our invitation to return each year to lead a workshop focused on Japanese ceramics and woodfiring, a profoundly enriching time of learning for all of us and the artists involved. We soon realized that Cerdeira offers a truly exceptional setting for an immersive experience, a place where nature and silence inspire artistic practice and learning. It was in this spirit that the Arts & Crafts School was born, as a space for sharing knowledge on both a national and international level.

This celebration is a heartfelt tribute to everyone who made the kiln possible- friends, neighbors, artists, and the entire Lousã and Aldeias do Xisto community, who either contributed to the fundraising campaign or quite literally helped build Sasukenei, brick by brick.

PROGRAM:

Following a symbolic woodfiring held in August, the main activities celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Sasukenei kiln will take place over the coming months. This extended schedule allows for broader outreach and greater visibility for the kiln, as well as for Cerdeira’s unique contribution to the cultural and artistic landscape of the Schist Villages region. Between November 2025 and February 2026, the celebration program will include:

• Exhibition of Japanese Master Masakazu Kusakabe's artwork, fired in Cerdeira

• Community ceramics workshop at A Mina in Lousã

• Presentation of Sasukenei – Smokeless Kilns Around the World, featuring contributions from across the globe

• Workshop with Tim Andrews – From Clay to Fire

• Ceramics course - Making glazes from Rocks, with Matthew Blakely

• Ceramics for Beginners Workshop, with Renato Costa e Silva and Kerstin Thomas

• Woodfiring & Shino glazes course, with Barry Krzywicki and Álvaro Villamañán

Organization: CVAC // Cerdeira – Home for Creativity

Promoter: ADXTUR - Aldeias do Xisto

Partners: A Mina; communities and institutions operating ‘Sasukenei’ smokeless kilns worldwide -including in Mexico, Japan, Brazil, Taiwan, New Zealand, Germany, Singapore, and Cyprus, designed by Sensei Masakazu Kusakabe; and a network of ceramic artists including Kerstin Thomas, Renato Costa e Silva, Xana Monteiro, Carlos Lima, Vasco Baltazar, Sandra Casaca, Ana Gomes, Ana Lousada, Carlos Neto, Alberto Azevedo, Sean Silva, and Iliana Menaia, with special international participation from Matthew Blakely, Tim Andrews, Barry Krzywicki, Álvaro Villamañán, professor Emre Feyzoglu, among others.

Events

At Cerdeira, art and nature are the best reasons to celebrate.

Throughout the four seasons, we bring various events celebrating creativity and conviviality in a unique environment surrounded by nature.

Elementos à Solta - Art meets Nature

A festival to celebrate the encounter of arts and nature.

Elementos à Solta - Art meets Nature is a multidisciplinary festival focused on Contemporary Arts and Crafts. It has been held annually since 2006 with free entrance.

Unique of its kind in Portugal, it has exhibitions, workshops, talks, plays, and music. A place where Portuguese and foreign artists come together and share their art and passion with everyone involved.

FROM MASTERS AND CHEFS

The most delicious encounter between ceramics and haute cuisine.

“Combining regional cuisine with art and creativity”. This is the motto for the event that takes place every year together with the Municipality of Lousã. In an unusual combination, pottery and cuisine sit at the table, and everyone is invited to participate.

Special pieces are born from the hands of master potters and ceramic artists, baked in our smoke-free kiln “Sasukenei”, one of its kind in Portugal. The force of fire in this kiln adds new colors, glazes, and other special effects to the pieces, making each one even more unique. The participants' curiosity and surprises mark the kiln's opening, where everyone can appreciate the new works of art and choose one to take home.

Among pots and pans, renowned chefs are invited to present all visitors with a unique gastronomic experience. The objective is to highlight the region's fresh products and traditional dishes but always add a “personal touch” to their creations, bringing creativity and innovation to the table.

This is the event to get all senses to dance: everyone is invited to work in creative workshops, taste amazing delicacies, and learn from the best.