A Taste of Japan

30 Jul

30 July - 17 September

A selection of work by contemporary Japanese Potters

The variety and skills of Japanese potters are renowned, and going back to Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, there is a strong tradition of links between the UK and Japan in the world of ceramics, particularly in the South West. This tradition continues to the present day; this exhibition will show a group of mid-career Japanese potters, some of whom are from Mashiko, the town known for its potteries, and where Shoji Hamada lived.

Exhibitors: Peter Seabridge, Masahiro Kumagae , Noriko Eki, Shinpei Fukushima, Ryuji Hodaka

Inside most Japanese homes you will encounter a surprising variety of ceramics for everyday use, and very often these pots will be made by hand. Every region of Japan has its own pottery style and character. Handmade pots are used everywhere, including cafes and restaurants, to celebrate the local ceramic tradition and enhance the eating experience. Every piece is chosen to complement the food served.

The tea bowls of Ryuji Hodaka bring to the exhibition a glimpse of the understated theatre of the tea ceremony, which has a long and rich tradition in Japan. In his work we can see and feel the influence of the tea ceremony, with the close attention to detail and use of colours and textures.

AnotherJapanese tradition linked to the tea ceremony is the art of flower arranging. Vases and other vessels used tend to be understated and are designed to show flowers to their best advantage.

Visitors to previous Japanese pottery exhibitions at MAKE Southwest will recognise the work of Peter Seabridge and Masahiro Kumagae. This year we are delighted to welcome three newcomers, whose work I admired when I did a residency in Mashiko in 2019: Noriko Eki, Shinpei Fukushima, and Ryuji Hodaka.

Mashiko is a small town with a huge pottery tradition; it is home to hundreds of potters. The English potter Bernard Leach, and Mashiko’s Shoji Hamada, together founded The Leach Pottery in St. Ives in 1920. The Leach Pottery belatedly celebrates its centenary this year, reinforcing links between these two towns and hosting visiting potters from Japan. It is wonderful to be part of this ongoing tradition of cultural exchange between potters in the UK and Japan.

The five remarkable Japanese potters whose work is on show here will, I hope, give you a taste of the variety and richness of Japan’s ceramics.

Introduction by Penny Simpson
(MAKE Southwest ceramic Maker Member)

Noriko Eki

Peter Seabridge

My specialty is wood firing; inspired by the process and using it to create naturally coloured ceramics.

I imagine my work being used for Japanese food as it suits the use of chopsticks, but really it is whatever the user think suits the item.

I live on the Chita peninsula of Japan and work in my studio in the ceramics city of Tokoname, which is in the country 6km from my home.

I don’t really have a normal day at the studio these days as I run lots of activities from it, including residential workshops, but I usually start any day at the studio by doing a bit of gardening as there is always something to do like cutting the lawn, trimming trees or keeping the bamboo from invading.

When I move inside on the days I make work, I start by getting out the previous day’s work to trim, handle or carve and that takes me up to lunchtime where I nip out to the local supermarket which has a brilliant bakery. I eat lunch back at the studio sitting in my hammock. After resisting the urge to take a nap, I start throwing and usually get in a groove by mid-afternoon. After finishing up my quota for the day I tidy up and before leaving do a little work on the buildings. My studio is made up of 3 buildings and I always have a project on the go to restore, improve or maintain them, so it always feels good when I leave knowing that I’ve made a little progress on the current project.

Masahiro Kumagae

Where in Japan do you live and work?
Agano-Yaki, in Hukuoka-ken, a pottery village in Japan.

How did you learn your trade?
A high school teacher.

What is your specialism?
Ceramic artist.

What inspires your work?
Japanese landscape.

What kind of food do you envisage your work being used for?
Japanese restaurants and general household.

Where do you work?
Workshop on the premises of my house .

What is a normal day for you?
Gentle time for field work and fly fishing.

Shinpei Fukushima

My grandfather runs a Mashikoyaki-ware (traditional ceramic ware from Mashiko) shop which has been making pottery since his father's generation.

Mashikoyaki-ware is a universal yet carefully crafted product that someone can love and use for generations.

We are exploring ways of trying to bring this tradition into the modern day, to adapt to changes in Japanese life and culture.

Hodaka Ryuji

I entered the world of pottery from a successful career as a chef of Japanese cuisine. During 16 years of cooking I had an opportunity to work for the household of the Japanese Ambassador to Spain and to serve food to such illustrious guests as His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.

To complement the creative process of cooking I included the tableware into the process, as I felt it important that food and the pots it is served on create a harmonious impression. From this point I finally decided to become a potter when I was 34.

From 2013 I frequently held solo exhibitions in Japan and during this time I made it my goal to create one chawan (a bowl used for preparing and drinking tea) every day of my life. By the time this statement was written I have created more than 2500 chawans.

My work reflects my unique career. My work includes Oribe, ash and iron glazes amongst other sophisticated techniques and materials.