[Ceramic artist Oshio Mana] Unique sensibility and craftsmanship born from confronting tradition

 

-First, please tell us about Akahada ware.

Akahada ware is a traditional craft of Nara, and is pottery that originated mainly in the Koriyama and Nara areas.

Originally, this area was a thriving pottery producing region.

It is said that it all began with Toyotomi Hidenaga, Hideyoshi's younger brother and the lord of Koriyama Castle.

This is because, at the time, military commanders used tea ceremony to demonstrate their power and status, and many of them wanted to have their own official kiln.

So they searched for clay in Koriyama, but they couldn't find any good soil.

Just then, a short distance away on Mount Akahada (apparently formerly known as Mount Gojo), they discovered high-quality clay.

It is said that Akahada ware began when an official kiln was built there.

So Akahada ware is a type of pottery that originally began as tea ceremony utensils.

--What made you start pottery?

I started seriously when I became a university student.

When I was in high school, I was in the art department, but I wasn't doing pottery at the time.

My father is a potter, so my teacher told me, "Oshio, you can do it anytime, so why don't you try something else?"

Later, when I entered university, I started with a light-hearted attitude of "I might as well give it a try since I'm here," and it was a lot more fun than I expected.

That was the trigger.

Before I knew it, I was becoming more and more absorbed in it.

--In that environment, how did your understanding of Akahada ware deepen?

I learned this through attending Nara City's traditional craft successor training course and talking with my teachers and classmates.

Some of my classmates were also making Akahada ware, so as I listened to their stories and communicated with them, I felt like the outlines were gradually coming into focus.

It's not that I immediately knew "this is Akahada ware," but rather the resolution gradually improved.

--I see. What do you think are the charms and characteristics of Akahada ware?

It's definitely the color of clay.

It has a soft reddish color, similar to skin color, which is said to be where the name "Akahada-yaki" came from.

It's not too red, not too white, and I really love the perfect color in between.

So for me, I never have any problems with clay, and it feels like I'm always on good terms with it (laughs).

-What are you thinking about while creating a work?

Actually, I don't think about it much.

Especially when I create objects, I work very intuitively.

I think this feeling is similar to when an athlete thinks without moving during a competition.

When I practice, I think about it while I practice, get guidance from my coach, and collect data to think about it, but during the actual performance, my body just moves on its own.

For me, production is similar to that.

I see, feel, and take in a lot of different things on a daily basis, and then when it's time to create, I get totally immersed in it.

I feel like it's already too late to start thinking "I'll do it this way" when creating something.

That's why I think it's important to be exposed to things you like and things you don't know on a daily basis, and to hone your sensibilities.

--That's a wonderful mindset. Is there anything you keep in mind when creating your work?

"Do your best."

I can't put out into the world anything that I'm not satisfied with.

For example, when it comes to custom orders, I think it's best to faithfully respond to the customer's requests.

It's wrong to add your own selfish expressions there.

Give 100% of yourself at that moment. That's it.

--You currently create both objects and vessels. Where did that style come from?

The curriculum I studied at university had a big influence on me, as I was able to try everything from potter's wheel work to hand-forming and making objects.

They were all fun.

My father was also a big influence.

My father learned the traditional techniques of Akahada ware from his great-grandfather and grandfather, but he also worked on modern craft-style three-dimensional sculptures, so he was someone who worked on both types of works from the beginning.

So he told me, "You should continue to hone your excellent skills as a craftsman, while also expressing yourself."

That's what I was told growing up, so doing both was a natural choice.

--Your father's encouragement was a big factor, wasn't it? Finally, what are your thoughts on the expression you use in your own work?

Rather than producing a large number of items in a set format, I always want to create something that I think is good.

I think I have a strong desire to come into contact with and express the things I love on a daily basis, so I would like to create things that are uniquely my own.

There are many things that don't go well, but I want to continue creating and expressing what's inside me.

With this in mind, I create things every day.