Hanatora Kiln’s pressed-flower cup

Among Japanese pottery, " Echizen-yaki " from Fukui Prefecture is one of Japan's six ancient kilns and a traditional craft recognized as a Japanese heritage. The works are known for their rustic touch. The pottery does not use glazes and mainly relies on raw materials from the firing process. The unexpected effect of wood ash and iron creates a very unique expression.

Among all the Fukui pottery kilns, the printed cups of " Hanatora Kiln " are particularly impressive - the matte textured cups are printed with light flowers on the surface, which is exquisite and cute, and the fusion of terracotta and natural glaze contains There are iron particles from the firing process, full of rustic natural beauty. The cup is designed with a thin body and a wide handle gap, making it particularly easy to hold. The printed cup is filled with the "tough and tender" personality of the pottery artist.

 

Inspiration for the print: Hana Mishima

The small prints on the printed cups bring a pleasing sense of ritual to daily Coffee Time at home. Each cup can be said to break through the plain feel of traditional Japanese handmade pottery cups. When asked about the creative inspiration for the print, it turned out to be the "Hana Mishima" matcha bowl, the most representative of the Japanese tea ceremony.

Kenichi Takeso of Hanatora Kiln said, " The print is derived from the flower Mishima elephant inlay pattern on the matcha bowl. I transformed it into a pattern for daily use."

Takeso Kenichi's works often add gentle tones to the frosted texture, like the tenderness of a hero. He prefers to use "terracotta" excavated locally in Fukui as pottery clay, and then coats the surface with white cosmetic clay (usually white clay) to make the surface of the vessel Whitening is called " Powder Whitening " in Japanese pottery techniques.

" I used local terracotta from Fukui and whitened the white clay for decoration. Each one subtly shows a different expression, and designed a variety of colors inspired by nature to adapt to today's diverse lifestyles. "

 

 

 

The daily scenery of the mountains in Huahu Kiln

A tool is like a person. The kind of creative environment will produce the kind of works that feel. Kenichi Takeso's studio is located at the foot of a mountain. An environment where he can notice the changes in the four seasons of nature, and the mountain scenery as far as the eye can see, became the inspiration for his creations.

Kenichi Takeso said, “Although my studio is not in the mountains, it is located at the foot of the mountains and has a rich natural environment.

Bears and wild boars are often found in the nearby mountains, so I don't often go camping, but I plant vegetables and fruit trees in the vegetable garden. Whenever I drink coffee, I can enjoy the natural scenery. This is the best way to relax. time! I like to brew strong coffee in an espresso pot. "