Delicate and cute work hidden within traditional simplicity
My criteria for selecting tableware are that it is durable and easy to use on a daily basis. I'm afraid to handle thin and delicate pieces, so I'm drawn to pieces that are rough but have an original imperfection or cute details. I saw this small bowl at an exhibition and wanted to try it, so I ordered it. It was made by Tabei Yuta, a friend I became close to in my hometown of Chiba during high school.
The vessels he creates, a former graphic designer turned potter, have a classic image with traditional glaze colors and a solid thickness, but also have an exquisite balance of boldness and delicacy, such as never-before-seen edge designs. The small bowls in the same series are also not industrially produced, and I think it's great that they have slightly different details.
I don't always have a specific occasion in mind when I'll use it, and when I travel, I often buy dishes thinking that if I don't buy them now, I'll never find them again, so my cupboard is a bit disorganized and inconsistent, but to me, it's "cute."
That may be one thing they have in common.
This is a work by an artist with an unusual background, who worked in design before moving to Tochigi Prefecture in 2018 and taking up pottery. Born in 1987, the same age as Koizumi, he currently creates pottery in Ichikaimachi, next to Mashiko. His work is characterized by modern designs that make use of the solid texture of the clay. "I fell in love at first sight with this small bowl because of the cute flower-like detail on the rim, and I also like that it's durable and can be used at home."
