[Ceramic artist: Takashi Shinohara] Conveying feelings through pottery

Kameoka City is located west of Kyoto City.

It is an area rich in nature that can be reached in about an hour by car from central Kyoto.

In Kameoka City, there is a potter who creates pottery in harmony with nature.

The ceramic artist we would like to introduce this time is Shinohara Takashi.

Shinohara has studied pottery in various regions across the country and is currently based in Kameoka, Kyoto.

We first met Shinohara at a flea market.

Seeing them calmly selling their products in a sales space surrounded by beautiful works, we felt a strange sense of sympathy and decided to talk to them.

Standing in the space, Shinohara looks like a craftsman, giving the impression of being quiet and modest.

However, once he started serving customers, it was impressive to see how enthusiastically he explained his works to them.

We instantly became fans of the way they treated foreign customers with such gentle demeanor, ignoring the language barrier.

Shinohara aspired to be a potter from a young age, and after studying pottery in Kyoto, he went on to study porcelain in Arita, Saga Prefecture.

He then returned to Seto in Aichi Prefecture and then to Kyoto, where he studied Kiyomizu ware again, before going independent in Kameoka.

Making use of what he has learned in various regions, he creates works with the theme of "vessels that bring happiness to everyday life."

Shinohara said, "The personality of the creator is reflected in the work."

Hearing those words somehow made sense to me.

All of Shinohara's works give off a calm and gentle impression.

This is probably because Shinohara's personality is reflected in his vessels.

During the interview, I was particularly impressed by the fact that he repeatedly said that "making things is fun."

As mentioned above, Shinohara-san has a wealth of knowledge and experience, and seeing him create something he enjoys so much gave me a sense of salvation.

Making things is fun.

I think that's what Shinohara-san was trying to convey to us through the way he created his work.

There are times when it's hard. There are times when it's painful.

Sometimes you have to put yourself out there.

Still, it's great to make it.

I felt as if I could see something like a signpost on Shinohara's back as he turned the potter's wheel.