[21.5 years] Updated October 1st
I worked for a chemical manufacturer for 43 years. At age 62, I retired due to company policy. I was offered a part-time position to help younger generations, but while studying art, I felt that learning about three-dimensional clay and ceramics would also be useful for my art studies, so I left it halfway. I want to continue to pursue this path while having fun.
At the end of September, I will have completed 21 years and 6 months, halfway through my employment. I wonder if I'm enjoying it as planned?
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Designing a Pottery Kiln
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Leveling the ground in the corner of the garden to set up a kiln
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Pour cement and start construction of the foundation
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Purchase insulating bricks according to the blueprint.
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Creating the wooden frame for the kiln arch
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The ceiling arch is complete as planned, and it's almost complete.
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The manual clay kneader was also converted to an electric one.
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He also purchased a new potter's wheel and is now working on many new pieces.
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We researched various glazes and based our work on translucent glazes.
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Despite numerous failures, we established a firing method.
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Summer Matcha Bowl
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Rice bowls for couples
Well, I've mostly achieved my goal. All of our tableware is now homemade. And that's fine.
The next update will be November 1st.
[No. 264] Two Coffee Cups Price: ¥1,000 each Posted September 1, 2025
(88 x 70 mm, 80 x 66 mm)
As the summer heat really sets in, we tend to turn to cold drinks.
However, these days, on hot days, we turn on the air conditioner and take care to avoid heatstroke.
Humans are such luxury creatures that we crave warm drinks. I wouldn't even consider it during the heatwaves, but hot coffee is delicious.
More than 50 years ago, Tokyo didn't experience such insanely hot summers. Back then, when I was still an art student, an older painter would come to study art alongside the younger generation at the Ueno Art Institute where I attended.
The artist was the owner of Iseya, a long-established Japanese confectionery shop in Adachi Ward. He left the shop to his son and pursued painting as a hobby. He also owned a coffee shop on Akihabara's Showa Street, with the elegant name "Gone with the Wind."
He would often invite us to his coffee shops, telling us that the air-conditioned ones in Akihabara served delicious hot coffee. Of course, we were poor and couldn't afford coffee—let alone a coffee shop. He was well aware of this, so he would often invite me in for a ride next to him in his car to chat.
There were still very few stores and homes equipped with air conditioning, so I thought that was a luxury in itself... and I was enchanted by the delicious aroma of the coffee brewed from the siphon. What surprised me most was that they threw away the remaining coffee in one go.
Even now, every time I throw away the coffee grounds left on the filter paper in my overly air-conditioned room, those memories always come back to me with nostalgia.
As the afternoon approached 4 o'clock, don't you think the sunlight was starting to weaken a bit?
The next update will be October 1st.
[No. 263] Two Sake Cups, Price: ¥1,000 each, Posted August 1, 2025
(75 x 48 mm, 67 x 50 mm)
When you're bathed in the intense heat and sunshine day after day, you just want a rain shower, even a storm.
The southern Kanto region has been so poorly blessed with rain lately, even the roadside trees are in desperate need of water. Fortunately, it seems like a typhoon is coming, even if it's a misguided one.
It's a great way to recharge your stress. Even when I'm working on pottery, I find myself feeling tired and craving relief as I pursue plates and vessels.
At times like these, for some reason, making sake vessels—especially sake cups—seems to be the most stable and contributes to mental stability, as it helps me produce the so-called alpha waves.
And yet, it's finally August... While the calendar suggests that summer has arrived, the cold winds should begin to blow in just three months.
At the end of summer, when a pleasant breeze occasionally blows, try sipping some sake from a sake cup.
I've had enough of this hot summer... it's time for it to go away...
The next update will be September 1st.
[No. 262] Seragi Set Price: ¥5,000 '25. 7. 1 up
(φ 240 mm ・ φ 138 mm )
Some of you may have noticed that when making pottery, I often complain, especially when making plates.
Unlike painting or sculpture, pottery has a very different process, and there are joys and sorrows that accompany failure depending on the occasion.
While pottery in general goes through the same process, plates in particular are marked as failures far more often than not.
Perhaps making plates is inclined to go against the laws of nature. Still, I feel attached to the plates that survived to the end.
The plate here is 24cm in diameter, so it's roughly medium-sized. I painted it in the same style as the small bowl that shared the kiln with me, and it turned out without any damage.
As summer approaches, it would be great to eat it with ice, like hiyamugi (cold noodles). I named it the "Seseragi Set."
I wanted to keep it together, even if it's passed on to someone else, so I decided to make it a set.
The underpainting on ceramics doesn't blend well with the base material, so I need to get more used to using the brush. I wish the killifish would swim a little more smoothly.
The next update will be August 1st.
[No. 261] Large Plate, No. 1 Price: Each ● Not for sale Posted 6/1/2025
(φ 293 mm)
As I wrote in my diary on May 10th, I decided to mold some pottery for the first time in a while. I put some clay on the potter's wheel and just kept making it bigger and bigger...and eventually, it turned out to be a large plate.
I was so happy that I wrote about it in my diary, and it seems like just the other day. I measured it using a scale, but it was the largest size that would fit in my kiln.
Well, theoretically, the piece shrinks as it goes through the molding, drying, and bisque firing stages, so I decided not to make anything larger than that.
By the way, the maximum size is 330mm, and after drying, bisque firing, and final firing, the finished product is 293mm. In fact, 89% of the final size is that.
However, that aside, with my limited skills, I was unfortunately unable to make a plate that large.
As you know, when clay is placed on the potter's wheel for shaping, it needs to be kneaded or killed to give it fluidity, otherwise it's difficult to create a shape.
And when making a large plate, fluid clay tends to sag when you spread it out. I faced this dilemma countless times, but I finally managed to do it.
And at the very end of each step, my beautiful skin developed a skin condition, but this was still my first large plate.
The next update will be July 1st
[No. 260] Two Sake Cups Price: 1,000 yen each '25. 5. 1 up
(Each = 75 x 50 mm, 80 x 52 mm)
It's been a while since I last introduced a sake cup.
The weather is well into early summer. This is actually the season when sake tastes especially good when served at room temperature.
Trump's imposition of reciprocal tariffs has caused a blaze in the Japanese economy, but the sake industry, while small in monetary terms, is also experiencing major cultural upheaval.
The foundations painstakingly built by dedicated sake brewers, especially those not from major companies, are threatening to crumble.
The creation of sake enthusiasts overseas means that Japanese people can easily find delicious sake locally when they travel abroad.
What a ridiculous thing to say! I apologize to those who say this. Even though I'm not hospitalized, I'm completely against traveling without sake for nearly two weeks.
Never drink sake chilled in the refrigerator. There are only two types of delicious sake: room temperature or warm.
The next update will be June 1st.
[No. 259] Egyptian-style Tea Bowl Price: 1,000 yen each '25. 4. 1 up
(Approximately 12.7 x 7.0 cm)
Rice is the staple food, and rice bowls are used to hold it. These have long been an integral part of Japanese culture.
While there are regional variations, most tableware patterns are traditional and have been loved and appreciated by everyone.
These patterns have been embraced in the hearts of Japanese people as Tokusa, Kagome, Karakusa, Takokarakusa, Mugiwarade, Ameme, Shippo, Sansui, etc.
Even if you were to explore and create your own unique design, it would not come close to matching the patterns beloved by everyone.
However, the patterns created by our ancestors were not necessarily cultivated in a straightforward manner. There will be twists and turns, and we'll work hard to improve ourselves, and perhaps even explore new directions.
Amateur potters don't really care about these things. Even if I were to call it something Egyptian-style... I have no intention of ruining the industry.
Well, I guess you can just think of it as a number...
The next update will be May 1st.
[No. 258] Sake Cup Price: ¥500 each Posted March 1, 2025
(Approximately φ = 89-93 mm)
Following last summer's unusually hot weather, this winter has been hit by heavy snowfall, a reversal of that trend. This is the snowfall situation in various areas.
I thought it would be a temporary thing, but to my surprise, it continued until the end of February, becoming life-threatening in some places.
The atmospheric pressure pattern across Japan was predicted to continue in a typical winter pattern, with the number of isobars across the archipelago reaching seven instead of five, bringing with it considerable wind strength.
February is soon coming to an end... As the winds died down, the sun's rays suddenly became more powerful.
This reminds me of Aesop's fable "The North Wind and the Sun."
The traveler stubbornly pulls his coat tighter against the north wind, trying to forcibly remove it, but to no avail. When the sun gently shines...
Even if you're not a traveler, you can open your heart and sip a rich, fragrant sake. This sake cup-shaped vessel seems appropriate for such occasions.
The next update will be April 1st.
Thank you for your continued support of "About Ceramics."
We apologize for the lack of updates this month.
The next update will be March 1st.
No. 257 "Leaf Crest Couple's Tea Bowls" Price: ¥1,000 each '25. 1. 1 up
(140 mm x 75 mm ・ 127 mm x 65 mm)
HappyNewOHappyNewMoveto
We hope you have a great year ahead.
I intend to continue challenging myself to earn your continued patronage of "Ceramics" this year.
Last year, I was consumed by tea bowls from start to finish.
I wonder how this year will go, but it seems I'll never be able to break free from the spell of tea bowls. That's how profound tea bowls are.
As with the tea bowls used in the tea ceremony, the more I learn about their profound meaning, the longer the journey seems, and the more difficult it becomes.
Even our ancestors were often sentenced to commit seppuku for breaking a plate, and I often thought how unreasonable that was.
It's just pottery, but if you drop it, it will break. It's in this that I sense the fragility of pottery and the root of our desire to cherish it.
The next update will be February 1st.
[No.256] Cup Pot Price: Up '24. 12. 1
(Approximately 75 x 70 mm)
Until last year or so, I didn't really think much about my health in my daily life.
However, while I've always enjoyed sports, I was aware that my body's endurance and ability to recover from fatigue had slowed with age.
However, having been forced to be hospitalized twice in one year... I believe the adage is true: prepare for the end of your life while you're still healthy.
About 20 years ago, when we decided to rebuild our house, I had to deal with the situation of having to dispose of the vast collection of oil paintings I'd been creating since my youth.
As for pottery, I'm truly blessed to have been able to continue doing it, even if I'm not very good at it.
When I got rid of the oil paintings, I thought about how painting them had become a part of me, and how they had grown into my flesh and blood. The same is true for pottery.
From now on, I've come to the conclusion that if there's anything that someone would like to use, I'll "give it away."
The next update will be January 1st.
[No. 255] Meoto Donburi Price: ¥1,000 each '24. 11. 1 updated
(135 x 80 mm 125 x 77 mm)
After last month's rice scandal, the shortage improved with the release of the new rice, but... oh no, what's going on? Prices are continuing to rise across the board.
Even a moderate rice lover like me finds this a bit irritating. I even think it would be better if the government were to exercise greater control.
However, as the heat finally subsides and appetites increase in autumn, I find myself taking advantage of the cravings to some extent.
Although nowadays it's fast food, so-called donburi (rice bowls) - rice topped with toppings - are popular.
It's a great Japanese style that eliminates the hassle of ordering refills in a small bowl and quickly satisfies your appetite.
As I experimented with different rice bowls, I noticed that the grooves in them were disappearing.
Donburi... are truly wonderful tableware, allowing you to eat a light bowl of ochazuke (rice with tea) or a hearty meal without making a mess!
The next update will be December 1st.
[No. 254] Rice Bowl A Price: ¥1,000 Posted October 1, 2024
(120 x 95 mm, 120 x 80 mm)
Until then, rice hadn't received much attention, and while it was practically air-like, it was readily available and readily available, and people had no qualms about whether it was delicious or not.
There was an earthquake in the Nankai Trough some time ago. I don't know if it was in response, but there was also a fairly strong earthquake in Kanagawa in the Kanto region.
Suddenly, as if by agreement, rice disappeared from local supermarkets and rice shops in the Kanto region.
It was probably caused by foolish commoners who, like toilet paper disappearing from stores a long time ago, bought up rice because they believed a ridiculous rumor.
This is unfortunate, but it proves that there are many people in the Kanto region who are easily influenced by rumors and easily swayed. However, in regions where people live wisely and diligently, there didn't seem to be any such fools.
And now, this year's new rice is on sale, although it's a little more expensive. Those foolish people who rushed to buy up rice should just keep eating old rice.
Once again, when you get your hands on some freshly cooked rice, it's delicious! Serve it generously in a slightly larger bowl and enjoy.
The next update will be November 1st.
Thank you for your continued support of "About Ceramics."
We apologize for the lack of updates this month.
The next update will be March 1st.
No.257 "Konoha crest couple tea bowl" Price: 1000 yen each '25. 1. 1 up
(140 mm x 75 mm ・ 127 mm x 65 mm)
HappyNewOHappyNewMoveto
We hope you have a great year ahead.
I intend to continue challenging myself to earn your continued patronage of "Ceramics" this year.
Last year, I was consumed by tea bowls from start to finish.
I wonder how this year will go, but it seems I'll never be able to break free from the spell of tea bowls. That's how profound tea bowls are.
As with the tea bowls used in the tea ceremony, the more I learn about their profound meaning, the longer the journey seems, and the more difficult it becomes.
Even our ancestors were often sentenced to commit seppuku for breaking a plate, and I often thought how unreasonable that was.
It's just pottery, but if you drop it, it will break. It's in this that I sense the fragility of pottery and the root of our desire to cherish it.
The next update will be February 1st.
[No.256] Cup Pot Price: Up '24. 12. 1
(Approximately 75 x 70 mm)
Until last year or so, I didn't really think much about my health in my daily life.
However, while I've always enjoyed sports, I was aware that my body's endurance and ability to recover from fatigue had slowed with age.
However, having been forced to be hospitalized twice in one year... I believe the adage is true: prepare for the end of your life while you're still healthy.
About 20 years ago, when we decided to rebuild our house, I had to deal with the situation of having to dispose of the vast collection of oil paintings I'd been creating since my youth.
As for pottery, I'm truly blessed to have been able to continue doing it, even if I'm not very good at it.
When I got rid of the oil paintings, I thought about how painting them had become a part of me, and how they had grown into my flesh and blood. The same is true for pottery.
From now on, I've come to the conclusion that if there's anything that someone would like to use, I'll "give it away."
The next update will be January 1st.
[No. 255] Meoto Donburi Price: ¥1,000 each '24. 11. 1 updated
(135 x 80 mm 125 x 77 mm)
After last month's rice scandal, the shortage improved with the release of the new rice, but... oh no, what's going on? Prices are continuing to rise across the board.
Even a moderate rice lover like me finds this a bit irritating. I even think it would be better if the government were to exercise greater control.
However, as the heat finally subsides and appetites increase in autumn, I find myself taking advantage of the cravings to some extent.
Although nowadays it's fast food, so-called donburi (rice bowls) - rice topped with toppings - are popular.
It's a great Japanese style that eliminates the hassle of ordering refills in a small bowl and quickly satisfies your appetite.
As I experimented with different rice bowls, I noticed that the grooves in them were disappearing.
Donburi... are truly wonderful tableware, allowing you to eat a light bowl of ochazuke (rice with tea) or a hearty meal without making a mess!
The next update will be December 1st.
[No. 254] Rice Bowl A Price: ¥1,000 Posted October 1, 2024
(120 x 95 mm, 120 x 80 mm)
Until then, rice hadn't received much attention, and while it was practically air-like, it was readily available and readily available, and people had no qualms about whether it was delicious or not.
There was an earthquake in the Nankai Trough some time ago. I don't know if it was in response, but there was also a fairly strong earthquake in Kanagawa in the Kanto region.
Suddenly, as if by agreement, rice disappeared from local supermarkets and rice shops in the Kanto region.
It was probably caused by foolish commoners who, like toilet paper disappearing from stores a long time ago, bought up rice because they believed a ridiculous rumor.
This is unfortunate, but it proves that there are many people in the Kanto region who are easily influenced by rumors and easily swayed. However, in regions where people live wisely and diligently, there didn't seem to be any such fools.
And now, this year's new rice is on sale, although it's a little more expensive. Those foolish people who rushed to buy up rice should just keep eating old rice.
Once again, when you get your hands on some freshly cooked rice, it's delicious! Serve it generously in a slightly larger bowl and enjoy.
The next update will be November 1st.
[No. 253] Ginomi A Price: 1,000 yen '24. 9． 1 up
(75 x 50 mm)
I suddenly noticed that the morning and evening sun was quite different from midsummer, both in time and angle.
And even the air, especially in those mornings and evenings, somehow breathes a different breath than midsummer, gradually informing me of the change of seasons.
Clay's viscosity significantly affects how easily it can be shaped and processed. It seems that an environment that's easy for humans to live in is comfortable for the clay, and it obediently adapts to the potter's will.
That's right, from now until the monsoons start blowing, this is the time of year when clay and I become more intimate and understand each other than ever.
Unlike plastic or metal vessels, which are made with a lot of clatter, I feel that this is the time when the sense of intimacy I feel from the hands of clay vessels is at its strongest.
As the saying goes, "The heat and cold last until the equinox..." This September marks the end of the long, hot, sunny season.
Isn't it a joy to have a friend come from afar? ...I'm looking forward to more, and even if I'm wrong, I'll vote for sharing a drink with a friend I haven't seen in a while.
The next update will be October 1st.
[No. 252] Couple's Rice Bowls Price: ¥3,000 each Posted August 1, 2024
(122 x 700 mm, 130 x 800 mm)
About three years ago, I mainly made sake bowls, but I became interested in tea bowls—namely, rice bowls—so I decided to try making some.
At that time, a friend asked me if I could get a response. I didn't have any particular preferences, so I readily agreed.
However, once I started making them, I discovered they were incredibly complex. I was also stunned by the depth of the history and craftsmanship of everyday tableware, crafted by generations of potters.
I managed to send the rice bowls I had commissioned back then, but I personally feel the need to continue making up for it.
I tried my hand at making a few rice bowls this year as well. And I intend to continue sending them to those I sent them to in the past, as a way of atonement.
With my current skills, this is about as far as I can go. I'm offering a few leftover pieces to sell and use as materials for future research.
The next update will be September 1st.
[No. 251] Name tag for a tree that has outlived its usefulness Price● '24. 7. 1 up
70 x 70 mm,
In the fall of 2009, I picked up acorns from the Yatsugatake Plateau. In 2010, I grew acorn tree seedlings next to my flower bed. In 2011, I attached a name tag and transplanted them to a mountain forest in Gunma Prefecture.
At the time, the name tag seemed too heavy and large for the young tree. And for the name tag, it was a time of uncertainty about whether it would survive the harsh winters, scorching summers, and years of companionship with these young trees in the mountains.
This spring, in 2024, we removed the name tags that had become too tight. Of the 12 first-generation saplings, only eight remain. They all did a great job, and we thank them.
Although the name tags had served their purpose, we wanted to bring them home to show our appreciation.
Yes, we could use them as chopstick rests when we have guests over.
If you would like to see the full record, please visit "Creating a Beautiful Forest".
The next update will be August 1st.
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