Creating an unprecedented organization: An interview with Shimizu from TOKINOHA
-------What do you find joy in your work?
"Even if I think the vessel is finished and it's good, when I look at the work as a whole I still can't say I've done a good job.
I only feel that I have done a good job when the dish I made reaches the chef's hands and I can see the moment when the customer is impressed by it.
The greatest joy is when the tableware harmonizes with the food and the occasion, creating a truly moving experience."
------The secret to TOKINOHA's manufacturing is always keeping in mind the situation in which the product will be used.
-------On the other hand, when do you feel that your work is difficult?
"Pottery is a job that requires constant effort.
The clay is kneaded, turned on the potter's wheel, scraped, glazed, and finally placed in the black box called the kiln, but in the end all you can do is pray.
In fact, there are cases where the entire piece is destroyed when the pot is taken out of the kiln, and this is not at all uncommon.
Everything you've worked hard on for a month will be gone.
I think the difficulty of this job is that there is a process of leaving it to the fire.
It gets out of my hands during the most important baking process.
Once it comes out of the kiln there's nothing you can do about it, you just have to accept the results.
I also feel that if I try my best and it doesn't work out, then there's nothing I can do about it. If I think that it's all my fault, I won't be able to keep up mentally (laughs).
It's a difficult part, but I think that's what makes it interesting."
------We have had the experience of data being lost in our work, but the scale is different with pottery.
-------The matcha bowl that we commissioned to be made this time was apparently born from initial failure.
"That's right. There was an item that had a chipped edge during the production stage, so I made the chipped part bigger.
This resulted in some interesting things that you won't find anywhere else, and we have a lot of things like that at home.
When I exhibit samples I've made in the past, various people give me ideas about what they could make.
You could say that you can have a conversation through the vessels. This time, I received an incredible request to make a chipped tea bowl (laughs).”
-------Thank you for responding to our unreasonable request (laughs). Now, may I ask you about Shimizu-san and TOKINOHA's future challenges?
"The world of pottery that I see is not the world of artists, but the world of craftsmen.
To be honest, working at a pottery studio is tough. I don't think the working environment is good.
Many people gain experience as craftsmen and then become independent as artists. In short, you only have two choices: become a craftsman or become an artist. This is not healthy, is it?
Even though I am a craftsman, I can still make a good living and create.
I would like to create an organization like that. I don't think there has ever been one like it before.
This is not to say that individual artists are bad.
However, the impression I get from the industry today is like watching fireworks. It's beautiful, but it doesn't seem like it will continue.
I think it's fine for the organization to continue as it is.
If you hone your skills as a craftsman, you can make a living and create. My challenge going forward is to create an organization that does just that."
-------Finally, do you have a message for those who aspire to become potters?
"I think we are now in an era where the number of places to sell things is rapidly expanding.
So you could say that we are living in an era where sellers are gaining power.
The number of people selling has increased, but I don't think the number of people producing has increased.
I believe that if you master the techniques and work hard, you can definitely make a living in the world of pottery.
Many people want to become successful in one big leap, and I understand that feeling, but it's just not possible.
I think it's important to learn and master the basics step by step.
Pottery work is something you can do for the rest of your life, so I hope you will work hard and steadily without rushing."
Writer Kosuke Nakakubo
