[Interview with ceramic artist Shintaro Enami, Part 1] Guided by the memories of the clay

-First of all, please tell us how you first encountered pottery.

My grandfather was a potter from Shigaraki, so pottery was a familiar occupation to me.

However, when I was young, I never thought I would become a potter.

After graduating from university, I worked in the apparel industry.

I enjoyed the work itself, but I wasn't fully prepared to continue doing it.

I'm looking for something new, but I don't know what I'm looking for.

That's how I spent my days.

One day, the food my mother had prepared was served on the dinner table in my grandfather's dishes.

It's not like I had an epiphany at that moment.

However, the image of my grandfather always having fun making pottery suddenly came to mind.

It all started when I helped out with sales at an exhibition with the casual idea of "taking a peek into the world of pottery."

--What are your memories of your grandfather?

My grandfather always seemed to enjoy his work.

For some reason, that image has stayed in my mind ever since, and I thought, "I wish I could work like that."

When I started helping out and touched the soil for the first time in a long time, memories from my childhood came flooding back.

From then on, I started to think, "I want to learn properly."

--You studied at the Shigaraki Ceramics Testing Center.

Yes. Everything was new to me, fresh, and fun.

During the classes, I could feel that I was gradually becoming better at what I could do.

I was so happy about that, and I became more and more absorbed in it.

--I'm also curious about how you arrived at your current style.

I made many prototypes under the tutelage of my apprentices, Tetsuya Otani and Momoko.

When I create my own works, I have always wanted to add patterns to them.

This is because when I thought about my strengths, I realized that they were "being dexterous and able to continue working silently."

I believe that this pattern best captures my strengths and my own personality.

-Are there any people or works that have influenced you?

Of course, it's Otani Tetsuya and Momoko.

During the five years I trained, I was influenced by many things, but the words that made the biggest impression on me were those that were spoken to me shortly after I became an apprentice.

I was told, "If you want to be someone who makes pottery, you should cook."

Cooking gives me ideas for tableware.

Looking back, it seems obvious, but at the time it was a real eye-opener for me.

At that time, all I was thinking about was "I want to make cool tableware."

I believe that it is because of that one word that my current pottery has been born, and is rooted in my own lifestyle.

--What do you pay attention to when creating a work?

We pay particular attention to the beauty of the silhouette.

I like the carving process, and I believe that it is here that the shape of the vessel is completed.

Where should it be bulging and where should it be sharp?

It's fun to think about that balance.

I also pay attention to the weight balance.

If it's too heavy it's difficult to use, and if it's too light it loses its appeal.

I am always conscious of striking this balance when creating my work.

Although it is not visible to the eye, I think weight is a very important element of a work.

*Tableware before the pattern is applied

--What about choosing soil?

Currently, I use two types of soil: fine and coarse.

Fine clay creates a smooth, neat finish, while coarse clay creates a big difference in the appearance of the glaze.

It's interesting how it broadens the scope of expression.

The second part will be released tomorrow.