[Ceramic artist: Akira Okuda interview part 1] Intersecting sensibilities

——What made you decide to pursue pottery?

I was born as the second son of a Shigaraki potter, so it was a normal sight to see my parents working in pottery.

Shigaraki itself is a major pottery production area, so there is always pottery around.

It wasn't that I particularly felt like I liked it, but rather that it was just a part of my life.

However, I have always loved creating shapes since I was a child.

I had the experience of winning a pottery competition in an elementary school class, so I was genuinely happy about that.

But at that point, I had no intention of becoming a potter.

——You worked as a member of society at one point, right?

Yes, I worked as a machine maintenance technician at a manufacturer for about six years.

It was a completely different world, but I learned a lot, such as a sense of responsibility and how to think about things.

However, even as I spent that time, the feeling that I still wanted to create something never went away.

So in my mid-twenties, I returned to my parents' home and decided to take up pottery again.

How did you acquire the technology?

My father told me to "first hone your potter's wheel skills," so I entered the Shigaraki Ceramic Industry Testing Laboratory.

My father believes that the most important thing to do is to properly shape what you envision.

I went there to learn the techniques, but at the same time I was able to learn a variety of sensibilities, which still serves as a great source of inspiration to me today.

At that time, most of my classes were female, and it was there that I was introduced to the concept of "cuteness."

At the time, I preferred sophisticated tableware, but my horizons expanded as I began to realize that cute tableware was also good.

The people who use it and the situations in which it is used are all different, so I think it was a very valuable experience to be exposed to so many different sensibilities during this period.

--What do you think is the appeal of pottery?

I think it's the high degree of freedom.

It can be used as a vessel or an object.

Pottery is truly a broad art and accepts any kind of expression.

I've been doing this for a long time, but when I look at the work of other artists, I'm still amazed at how they can express things in this way.

The more I play with it, the more fun it becomes because of the high degree of freedom and depth it offers.

How did you develop your own style?

When I made the reversible dish, I had a realization that this was my style.

While the front and back have different looks, it still has a proper purpose.

When I submitted that work to an open exhibition, I received positive feedback from the judges, who are known for their strict evaluations, which gave me confidence.

Actually, I was inspired by reversible clothing (laughs).

——Please tell us about your ideal vessel.

A vessel that performs more than the maker expected.

I think this is the ideal vessel.

When I see customers using the product, there are times when I think, "Oh, so this is one way it can end up."

I feel glad that I made it at a time like this.

The second part will be released tomorrow.