March came like a lion and went out like a
lamb! Now we can enjoy the gentle April weather with the wind carrying the
faint smell of fresh flowers and newly grown baby leaves. Though there may be
some conceptions that the city of Tokyo is a vast sea of gray concrete, it is
actually filled with small parks and gardens, in which you can enjoy all
different colorful flowers and plants. Take a stroll outside to embrace spring
weather, and your eyes will be met with a beautiful array of colors of
seasonal, flowers: grape hyacinth, daffodil, daisies, crocus and tulip.
Tanaka Nobuhiko, a new artist in our store who
we have waited so eagerly to introduce, is an artist that creates works that
reminds us of such vibrant colors of spring: the colorful flowers, freshly
grown leaves, and brilliant blue sky.
We had the pleasure of visiting Tanaka-san’s
studio in Iruma City, Saitama Prefecture where we were warmly welcomed by Tanaka-san and were mesmerized by his collection of works.
We will give you a sneak peak of Tanaka-san's colorful, sensual
works that we stocked up on our visit. They are perfect to freshen up the table for this season and upcoming summer.
[Mini Bowl with Lip 3240 yen Bowl (in the front) 9720 yen Bowl (in the back) 5184 yen]
The works that especially caught our eye are Tanaka-san’s
blue pieces. Not only is the cobalt blue
color refreshing, the thinly made simple form makes these pieces ideal for the
table for upcoming hot summer weather.
We are very excited to share some behind the
scenes photos of the Tanaka-san’s studio where all the magic happens!
In order to create his colorful works,
Tanaka-san uses over thirty glazes that he himself makes with his own
recipe.
The thinly made pieces that are drawn with a
potter’s wheel are carefully stored on a shelf inside a place called “muro”, a
small, semi-humid room in which the ceramics are dried slowly and evenly in
order to avoid creating cracks on firing.
The surface of these cups is finished with
chatter decorations called “tobi-kanna”, literally translated, jumping
planer. While the dry ware is rotated
on a wheel, a flexible metal tool is held against the surface, so it jumps
rhythmically, cuts nicks on the surface, and creates a characteristic pattern. Though “tobi-kanna” is an old, traditional method
typically used in Koishiwara-ware and Onta-ware, Tanaka-san’s works have a
distinct modern flair that is unencumbered by the
weight of traditional technique.
These are the tools Tanaka-san hand made to
make the chatter decorations. It’s
astonishing how these simple looking tools create those complex patterns.
[Flat Plate (Olive and Yellow) each 5184 yen Rimmed Plate 5184 yen]
The flat plate on the left finished with
chatter decorations is an aesthetic piece that reflects Tanaka-san’s
contemporary, artistic sense.
[Flat Plate (Yellow) 5184 yen Single
Bud Vase 4860 yen Sake Cup 3240 yen]
The muted gold color of this single bud vase
and sake cup looks gorgeous when placed on a yellow chatter decoration plate.
[Small Pot 10800 yen]
The placing of chatter marks and the amount of
glaze applied are each carefully calculated and administered in order to create
the stunning gradation of vermilion and pink.
The burst of refreshing color of these soba
chokos, cups for dipping sauce for eating buckwheat noodles, render a modern
impression and makes them especially useful for placing fresh fruits and
yogurts in the morning.
[Soba Choko
3456 yen]
Tanaka-san strives to make pieces that are not
only aesthetically pleasing, but functional as well. Take this cup, for example. The angle in which the handle is formed is
carefully crafted so that the thumb fits comfortably when you hold the cup. Each cup comes with different color
combinations.
[Cup
3888 yen]
All of Tanaka-san’s pieces have a soft color
palette that is soothing to the eye and are finished with a transparent glaze,
which renders soft, matte finish.
[Rice Bowl
3780 yen]
Tanaka-san’s colorful work has officially
brought spring to our store! If you are
enjoying the cherry blossoms in full bloom down by the Meguro River near our
store, please do stop by our store and see these colorful pieces.