Mayama was nothing like clay.
Clay was what Yamada knew best. Clay was uncomplicated, easily understood. She could do anything she wished to it. She could make it do whatever she pleased.
At the potter's wheel, Yamada was in control.
She couldn't understand Mayama, however, and she had no control over him. She couldn't control his thoughts or feelings.
She had no control over his heart, so she couldn't make him love her.
So she continued making pottery, the one thing she could always control, praying that whatever God was listening would control him for her.
She had no control.