Sake Mistress
Sharing the Joy of Sake ~ Kanpai!
Meet the Artisan project
The next Meet the Artisan session :
TBA
The Meet the Artisan project is yet another project developed during COVID related lockdown here in Melbourne ~ it is a Taste with the Toji ‘spin-off’ series with a strong focus on Japanese pottery; showcasing current potters working in Japan and keeping tradition and culture alive through their work. Pottery culture in Japan, of course, has a strong connection to Sake culture, hence this being the perfect project to compliment the popular Sake focused series, Taste with the Toji.
The seed for the Meet the Artisan project was planted when, during an online Sake Social event I organised in July 2020, participant and pottery expert, Robert Yellin gave attendees a short, impromptu virtual tour of his beautiful gallery: Robert Yellin Yakimono Gallery. I then suggested we should do a session dedicated to pottery for the Taste with the Toji audience, as the connection between the two ‘crafts’ or ‘cultures’ of Sake & Pottery were intwined in many important and beautiful ways.
On 18 August, Robert treated the TWTT audience to a wonderful presentation on Bizen Pottery as well as touching on the broader, general history of pottery in Japan. From there, the interest grew, from both myself and the wider TWTT audience. I asked Robert whether he thought a Meet the Artisan series was something we could collaborate on, giving some of the pottery ‘artisans’ of Japan a chance to tell their story and present their work to an audience that may otherwise not have the chance to be introduced to their work and/or hear their story. With Robert’s enthusiasm and assistance, we were able to launch the Meet the Artisan series on 31 August, with session 1 featuring Bizen potter, Jumpei Kaneshige.
Meet the Artisan session information and overviews will be updated below, with the most recent session/s at the top of the feed. Please scroll down for earlier sessions.
For more information on Japanese pottery in general, I highly recommend visiting Robert Yellin’s website here.
Meet the Artisan – Session 8:
Nobuhito Nakaoka Tamba, Hyogo
About the Artisan: Nobuhito Nakaoka was born in Osaka in 1977.
He became interested in working with clay from a very young age, describing his introduction to it at school as an early epiphany. Unlike the other potters MTA has featured thus far, Nakaoka does not come from a family with a long pottery lineage. Rather, he is the first in his family to pursue the path of a Potter.
After graduating from high school, he studied under Tamba’s Tadashi Nishihata. He also spent time studying ceramics in Kyoto and followed by time overseas before returning to Japan and settling in Sasayama City – Tamba, where he currently works and resides in his beautiful workshop and gallery space.
Session overview: Session 5 of Meet the Artisan took place on Thursday 25th November 2021.
During this online event we had the absolute pleasure of spending a couple of hours with the delightful Nobuhito Nakaoka for Meet the Artisan #8.
We were also fortunate enough to get a virtual tour of the beautiful gallery space and Nakaoka’s workspace. We were also fortunate enough to have Nakaoka give us a couple of live demonstrations, explaining a little more about the clay he uses and the carving work he does (of the clay) to create some of his pieces.
Nakaoka works with Tamba clay and uses a gas kiln to fire his pieces. His work is influenced and inspired by many elements of nature, from plants and seeds, to birds and the galaxy. He has not confined himself to creating one specific style of pottery. Many of his works feature a cobalt glaze ~ creating some truly striking blue hues and mesmerising effects. Other pieces are more rustic yet every bit as beautiful. Nakaoka also has a little fun with some of his work ~ he showed us a few delightful ‘Tori Tokkuri’ (sake flasks) – with their shape inspired by birds. He also had some more traditional looking Tokkuri and a lovely selection of guinomi and katakuchi.
Like the TWTT audience, Nakaoka also enjoys sake, and on Thursday night we not only shared a Kanpai or two, we also got to see his sake ware in action. Nakaoka was drinking Shugetsu, a sake made by a tiny brewery located close to his home ~ Karibaichi Shuzo. https://syuugetu.jp/
A truly enjoyable 2 hours that felt like we were all there in Nakaoka’s beautiful gallery space, sipping sake with him as we admired his wonderful clay creations.
A huge thank you to Nakaoka for sharing his time, story and work with us all. An extension of that huge thank you goes out to Jimmy Rion for another fabulous interpretation and to Robert Yellin for connecting us all and helping to make this session possible.
Thank you also to everyone who attended this session.
You can see more of Nakaoka’s work here: http://nakaokanobuhito.com/
Meet the Artisan – Session 7:
Yoh Tanimoto Iga, Mie
About the Artisan: Yoh Tanimoto was born in 1958.
He is the son of the great Tanimoto Kosei.
Yoh Tanimoto first began exhibiting in 1982, after completing his studies at the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramics Technical Institute. In 1984, he moved to Europe where he studied oil painting and sculpture and set up a pottery studio on the outskirts of Paris. He also worked as an apprentice for Joan Gardy Artigas, who used to work with Joan Miro in Barcelona. After returning to Japan he set up his own studio and kiln in Iga, Mie Prefecture, in 1988.
He now divides his time between working in Japan and Europe.He has exhibited widely both in Japan and abroad. He states that his aim is to be able to convey the beauty of the clay to those who hold his pieces, not just by looking, but also by feeling the gentle strength which is imbued within.
Session overview: Session 5 of Meet the Artisan took place on Thursday 12 August 2021.
This truly enjoyable session began with Tanimoto-san already waiting at the wheel, ready to offer a live demonstration.
Watching him work the clay was mesmerising as he created vessels, including a guinomi, a tokkuri and a katakuchi, whilst chatting about clay, form, style and function.Tanimoto-san had also prepared a video of him unloading, and sorting through, work inside the kiln after his most recent firing, which was indeed most interesting.
This session progressed into the living room and into fun overdrive when Tanimoto-san and his wife Akemi-san turned the camera around to reveal their dinner guests, who were none other than the Morikis, who also happen to be old school friends of Tanimoto-san. Having Rumiko and Hideki Moriki there was another wonderful way to tie in sake and pottery as well as a being a shining example of the connections that some of the TWTT community aspire to!
When the guitar came out Tanimoto-san showed us that pottery is not his only talent ~ as he strummed and serenaded us with his delightful voice and jovial spirit. Despite logging in from our laptops and devices from our own living rooms, it felt, for a brief moment, that we were all right there in the Tanimoto’s living room ~ a truly beautiful moment in a time where these kind of moments feel even more precious.
It was also an absolute honour and joy to have Robert Yellin with us, sharing pottery wisdom, wonder and knowledgeable interpretation. A huge thank you to Yoh Tanimoto for sharing his time, talent, energy, experience and dinner guests with us all. An extension of that huge thank you goes out to Akemi Tanimoto, Rumiko Moriki, Hideki Moriki and Robert Yellin.
Thank you also to everyone who attended this session ~ and those who stayed on, and sang along, during a delightful nijikai.
For those interested in viewing the available works shown last night, and others, please visit Tanimoto’s online gallery here: https://yohtanimoto.thebase.in/3
Meet the Artisan – Session 6:
Kazuya Ishida Bizen, Okayama
About the Artisan: Kazuya Ishida was born in Ibe, Bizen City, Okayam in 1986.
He was born into a family of potters in Bizen Japan.
Bizen is one of the six ‘ancient kilns’ and is famous for its traditional unglazed high temperature-fired Bizen- style pottery.He uses wood-fired ‘Noborigama’ (multiple chamber climbing kiln) and ‘Anagama’ (single chamber climbing kiln).
He trained with Jun Isezaki (a Living National Treasure in Bizen) for four years, followed by time spent in the UK learning different styles of pottery Invited into the Anagama Project run by University of Oxford, he has been a lead resident potter teaching kiln making, firing and pottery making, while lecturing about his craft.He makes sculptures and vases featuring his distinctive spiralling marks, created with a technique inspired by a teenage love for breakdancing.
In using limited materials (specifically, natural clay and natural ash glazes) in line with the Bizen tradition, he explores the rhythms and patterns of Nature.The contemporary forms of his work are a reflection of the primordial, rippled textures and patterns of the ocean bed, tectonic shifts of a cliff face, and the marks that ebbing tides have left on rock pools, pebbles and seashells.
Session overview: Session 5 of Meet the Artisan took place on Wednesday 23 June 2021.
This MTA session saw 50 attendees from all over the world get to enjoy a sneak preview presentation from Kaz in the Zoom room, he also gave us some wonderful live demonstrations showing us some of his techniques including spiral wedging. It was mesmerising watching Kaz work the clay both on and off the wheel.
Of the three working demonstrations he performed, one was the creation of a tokkuri, which of course, pleased the sake drinkers amongst the group.
Kaz also gave us a live tour of his gallery space and we got to see a number of his beautiful works up close, and even in use when Kaz filled the most impressive sake pitcher with some Kenbishi sake to partake in a virtual Kanpai! Attendees were also given the first look at Kaz’s online shop and the opportunity to purchase works.
It was great to see that a dozen pieces were passionately snapped up by some of the attendees. Kaz’s work offers his own unique approach to Bizen pottery.
A wonderful blend of tradition and progression, with a little bit of his own soul, giving his work an incredibly unique character and appeal. As Robert Yellin said, what Kaz is doing for Bizen pottery is both important and commendable. A huge thank you to Kazuya Ishida for sharing his time, energy, skill, passion and experiences with us all. An extension of that huge thank you must go out to Jim Rion for helping with interpretation when needed, and also to Maki Tanaka and of course, to Evan Milton for introducing me to this incredible artisan!Oh! and a shoutout to Kaz’s steady-handed assistant, Yudai-san!
ありがとうございました！
It was wonderful to see a number of TWTT regulars in attendance and to also see some new faces and pottery lovers enjoying this MTA session. Thank you to all those who attended the Zoom room and also those who tuned in on FB Live.For anyone interested in Kaz’s new online shop, you can view his available pieces here: https://kazuyagallery.art/shop/
Meet the Artisan – Session 5:
Hideo Hadano Hagi, Yamaguchi
About the Artisan: Hideo Hadano was born in Hagi, Yamaguchi in 1971.
Hideo Hadano was born and raised in Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and is the son of Saga Prefecture–born Zenzō Hadano, who studied pottery in Karatsu before coming to Hagi to specialise in the local style. (Zenzō was named a Living Cultural Treasure by Yamaguchi Prefecture in 2003).
Hideo studied art at Tama Art University in Tokyo, then went to Kyoto to study pottery specifically. He now works with his father at their kiln in the Hagi city center. Hagi-yaki ( 萩焼 ) or Hagi ware is a type of Japanese pottery originating in the town of Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture.Its origins can be traced back to Korean potters who were brought to Hagi following Japan’s military invasion of the Korean peninsula in the late 16th century. Hagi ware is appreciated not only for its earthy colors but also for the glaze. The translucent beige or pink glaze draws out the natural colours of the clay, and over time and use it develops a beautiful patina known as the Seven Transformations of Hagi (Hagi no Nanabake).
Session overview: Session 5 of Meet the Artisan took place on Thursday 27 May 2021.
During this session we got to see some of Hadano-san’s beautiful works, which included some wonderful sakeware, including guinomi, tokkuri and katakuchi. Hadano-san had also prepared some great videos just before the session, demonstrating his kick-wheel and giving us a look at how he creates some of his work.
Joining Hadano-san for this session was his wife, Rie-san, who had prepared some wonderful sake snacks to go with the Gokyo sake (Sakai Shuzo, TWTT Session #37) they were drinking. Also making several appearances, and winning hearts, was their extroverted, and clearly very pampered, cat, Joe-chan, who, might I add, has his very own, and very elaborate, Hagi-yaki water bowl.
The joy Hadano-san has for the work he does was evident and a true delight to see. A huge thank you to Hadano-san for sharing his time, passion, knowledge and pottery with us. Thank you also to Rie-san, (and to Joe-chan). I must also give a huge thank you to Jim Rion, the Yamaguchi sake & pottery guy! ~ for not only a truly wonderful job at translation/interpretation, but for his work behind the scenes and for taking the reins on a night where I was a little under the weather.
Thank you also to everyone who attended this event.
If you are interested in seeing more of Hadano-san’s work, you can contact him via his website: http://hagiyaki-hadano.jp/gallery.html
Thank you also to Robert Yellin for initially getting the ball rolling on this event. 
Meet the Artisan – Session 4:
Takehito Nakajima Yamanaka, Ishikawa
About the Artisan: Takehito Nakajima was born in Kaga City (Yamanaka) Ishikawa in 1969.
Nakajima was born and raised in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture and studied under his father, learning the craft of Yamanaka lacquerware, one of the town’s traditional crafts.
Nakajima is also a lover of sake and, amongst his creations, he crafts a lot of sake cups. Nakajima has created many prototypes of sake cups to study and perfect the thinness of the lip/mouth, the angle of the body, and the difference in the warp of the edges. He says he likes to study how the sake cup touches the mouth and how the aroma and taste of sake change.
Session overview: Session 4 of Meet the Artisan took place on Thursday 15 April 2021.
Nakajima’s work was first brought to my attention at the beginning of the year by the fabulous Hannah Kirshner, whose book Water, Wood and Wild Things was not only recently released, but also features a chapter on Nakajima: one of the talented artisans hailing from the town of Yamanaka in Ishikawa Prefecture.
Alongside Nakajima-san, for this session, we were fortunate to be joined by Hannah, and also by two other fascinating Yamanaka gems: 下木雄介 (Yusuke Shimoki), the incredibly passionate and knowledgeable owner of Engawa Washu Bar, an 8-seater sake-focused bar, and it was great to have 松浦文昭 (Fumiaki Matsuura) from Matsuura Shuzo join us too. Matsuura Shuzo were the featured brewery for TWTT Session #33 last month. Both Shimoki-san and Matsuura-san also feature in Hannah’s book and it was a delight to have them all join us for this session, sharing their passion, knowledge and connection. A wonderful ‘Yamanaka’ event!
This was the first wood craftsperson to be featured on MTA and it was a real treat to have Hannah and Nakajima-san give us a tour of the his studio and also have Nakajima-san give us a live woodturning demonstration. Sitting in the cockpit at his lathe, Nakajima-san turned and worked the wood with such rhythm, skill and precision, making something that would be both dangerous and difficult for most, look easy and effortless.
This was truly a wonderful event and a great insight into the craft of Yamanaka woodturning.
Meet the Artisan – Session 3:
Yoshiko Takahashi Shigaraki, Shiga
About the Artisan: Yoshiko Takahashi was born in Shigaraki, Shiga in 1988.
After she finished in College, in 2010, she studied ceramics at Kyoto Prefectural Ceramicists Technical Institute for two years.
She then studied for another year at Shigaraki Ceramic Research Institute.
After that she took a job at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park as a studio technician in the Artists in Residency department for three years.
She currently lives and works in Shigaraki and regularly exhibits in high end department stores and galleries in Japan.
Session overview: Session 3 of Meet the Artisan took place on Thursday 19 November, 2020.
An absolutely delightful session with an extremely well thought out and insightful presentation from Shigaraki potter, Yoshiko Takahashi, delving into the history of Shigaraki ware, Rakusai pottery, Shigaraki clay, a variety of kilns and a fascinating family history.
It was a privilege to not only hear from Yoshiko-san, but to also meet both her father and her 95 year old, (still actively potting), grandfather during this very special session. What a treat!
These Meet the Artisan sessions are such a wonderful, welcome and complimentary extension of the Taste with the Tōji series, filled with history and beauty, and it’s been a joy to collaborate with Robert Yellin or these online pottery-centric sessions.
A huge thank you to Yoshiko Takahashi for sharing her time, passion and a fascinating presentation with all who attended. Thank you again to Robert, and of course, as always, thank you so much to all who attended the Zoom room or watched the session on Facebook.
I truly hope people will continue to support these wonderfully talented young artists who are striving to keep tradition alive.
Meet the Artisan – Session 2:
Teppei Terada Seto, Aichi
About the Artisan: Teppei Terada was born in 1975 and is the 5th generation of a well recognised potter family who continue to maintain a tradition inherited from 100 years ago.
Teppei works in a number of different styles, including Oribe-yaki (織部焼) which is a style of Japanese pottery that first appeared in the sixteenth century. Oribe is a visual style named after the late-16th-century tea master Furuta Oribe (1544-1615). It’s most often seen in pottery, but extends to textiles and paintings.
Session overview: Session 2 of Meet the Artisan took place on Thursday 8 October, 2020, as we were joined Teppei Terada (5th generation potter from Seto, Aichi Prefecture).
A wonderfully well thought out, educational and most enjoyable presentation from Teppei, touching on the history of pottery in Japan, the origin of Seto pottery, a wonderful family lineage, kiln building and firing, inspirations and ambitions. Teppei’s passion for his craft and respect for its (and his family) history burst through our screens as he treated us to a delightful 2 hour session.
There was even a spontaneous cameo appearance from Teppei’s father towards the end of the session ~ or as Teppei described it, “a happy accident” (just like some of his works after firing).
Teppei is also quite a passionate fan/drinker of Sake and told us little about his relationship/connection with this favourite brew. He showed us a number of drinking and serving/pouring vessels, in different styles, including some beautiful Oribe-yaki and of course his wonderfully creative birds: posing as Sake pitchers, serving Sake straight from their beaks ~ lots of fun!
He is also studying the art of the Japanese tea ceremony and makes various tea ware in a number of styles.
Thank you so much to Teppei Terada for a great session and of course, again, to Robert Yellin for being a fabulous co-host and helping this project come together. Thank you also to everyone who attended.
Meet the Artisan – Session 1:
Jumpei Kaneshige Bizen, Okayama
About the Artisan: Kaneshige was born in 1972. He currently lives and works in Bizen and hails from a long and famous Bizen lineage. His father: Kosuke, grandfather: Toyo, along with uncles and cousins, are/were all Bizen potters. In pottery terms, the Kaneshige family is hailed as the most important Bizen family. After graduating from Waseda University in 1994, he studied Sculpture at Graduate School in Long Island University in U.S.A. (graduating in 2000).
Japanese pottery has a long history and connection with Sake culture and Bizen is certainly no exception. The clay for many Bizen pieces is sourced from rice paddies – no greater connection to Sake than rice!
Session overview: Session 1 of Meet the Artisan took place on Monday 31 August, 2020, and saw us visit the studio of Jumpei Kaneshige in Bizen, Okayama.
It was such an honour to spend two hours with Jumpei and hear about his life, his craft and his incredible (and long) Kaneshige family history in Bizen pottery ~ one of royal proportions in the pottery world. Jumpei presented a wonderful series of images (and explanations) that took a closer look at Bizen clay, from sourcing to preparation, and of course the incredible art of wood firing, showing the process from loading the kiln to firing and the final product/s after firing and the incredibly beautiful effects from the ash. A truly fascinating insight into the life of a Bizen potter and his family history.
A big thank you Jumpei for a most informative session and for sharing his time, passion and humour with all who attended. An extended thank you to Robert Yellin who is such a pleasure to collaborate with on this wonderful project.
Finally, thank you so much to all who joined this session – from all over the world.
It’s so wonderful to see a growing online community connecting through ‘culture’ – Sake and pottery alike – during this current situation.
May the knowledge we gather and connections we make continue to grow, even beyond this current ‘climate’
Sake Mistress 