Koichiro Isezaki: Presence

wlc koichiro presence jpg Koichiro Isezaki: Presence Japan

Recently in conversation with Izesaki Kôichiro (b. 1974) discussing his first solo exhibition at Goldmark Gallery, he alluded to the experience of working with clay as being ‘one of presence with the clay and of being present with and through the process.’ Kôichiro feels clay is a living entity (ikimono) and he works with its … Read more

Documentary | Koichiro Isezaki: Bizen Born

WLC koichiro isezaki slate 2 scaled Documentary | Koichiro Isezaki: Bizen Born Japan

Koichiro Isezaki: Bizen Born is a captivating new Goldmark documentary that delves into the life and work of Koichiro Isezaki, the son of renowned potter and National Living Treasure, Jun Isezaki. Filmed on location in the ancient pottery town of Bizen, Japan, we follow Koichiro as he meticulously crafts pieces for his inaugural solo exhibition … Read more

Masterclass | Ken Matsuzaki | Throwing Chawan

wlc masterclass ken matsuzaki throwing chawan Masterclass | Ken Matsuzaki | Throwing Chawan Japan

While photographing the Japanese potter Ken Matsuzaki for the Goldmark Gallery 2007 monograph, Jay Goldmark was invited to film Matsuzaki in his studio at his kick wheel throwing Chawan (Teabowls) ‘off the hump’ (from a large, single mound of clay). This is rare footage of one of Japan’s internationally respected potters at work.

Documentary | Akiko Hirai | Mark of the Pot

akiko hirai wlc slate jpg webp Documentary | Akiko Hirai | Mark of the Pot Japan

Two years in the making, this latest Goldmark documentary film finds Japanese born potter Akiko Hirai at work in her London studio. The rise in popularity of Hirai’s work has been meteoric and she has now has sell-out exhibitions all over the world. Hirai is renowned for creating Moon Jars – a traditional Korean vessel … Read more

Critic’s Choice | Jim Keeling on Koichiro Isezaki

Koichiro Isezaki Jim Keeling

Watch Jim Keeling from Whichford Pottery as he talks about the work of Koichiro Isezaki. He talks about the respect that Japanese potters have for their materials and the Anagama tradition in Bizen pottery. Keeling shows us how the path of the flame, over a 7 day wood firing, is used to decorate Isezaki’s unglazed pots and how he makes his distinctive ‘collapsed’ pots. We are treated to footage shot earlier this year at Koichiro Isezaki’s studio in Japan by our We Love Clay team.

Sake and Ceramics

Lisa Hammond Sake Cups

‘No blossoms and no moon And he is drinking sake all alone’ Haiku by Matsuo Bashō A love of nature, and of being part of the group, are intensely important to the Japanese, so this little haiku is a picture of sadness. Sake is meant to be drunk with others, and pouring for each other … Read more

The Art of Tea

L1009218 jpg webp The Art of Tea Japan

‘Tea began as a medicine and grew into a beverage. In China, in the eighth century, it entered the realm of poetry as one of the polite amusements. The fifteenth century saw Japan ennoble it into a religion of aestheticism – Teaism. Teaism is a cult founded on the adoration of the beautiful among the … Read more

Ryotaro Kato and the Kobe Dynasty

ryotaro featured 2 jpg webp Ryotaro Kato and the Kobe Dynasty Japan

A recent article described Ryotaro Kato as the ‘son of the seventh master of Kobe Kiln’. ‘Son of the seventh master’ – not the ‘eighth master’. That distinction is important, for it points to two critical aspects of traditional Japanese familial culture: the honouring of elders; and continuation of the family legacy. Japan has, for … Read more

Documentary | Ken Matsuzaki | Elemental

documentary ken matsuzaki elemen jpg webp Documentary | Ken Matsuzaki | Elemental Japan

Ken Matsuzaki is a Japanese potter working from Mashiko who enjoys an international reputation. He was apprenticed to the late Tatsuzo Shimaoka (National Living Treasure) who in turn had been apprenticed to Shoji Hamada. Matsuzki’s work can be seen in some of the world’s most prestigious private collections.

This 45 minute film shows him throwing in his workshop and features unique footage of him firing his Anagama kiln, with the help of British potter Phil Rogers who commentates on the process. The film ends with Matsuzaki’s 2007 major exhibition of pots at the Goldmark Gallery in Uppingham, Rutland.

Trimmings | A Brief History: ‘Tomobako’ Japanese Boxes

tomobako slate jpg webp Trimmings | A Brief History: 'Tomobako' Japanese Boxes Japan

In Japan ceramic pots are stored in signed wooden boxes, known as ‘Tomobako’, both for their protection and to display the provenance of the maker.

Presented by British potter Phil Rogers and writer/art critic David Whiting, this video contains archive footage of Japanese potter Ken Matsuzaki signing boxes at his pottery in Japan as well as a demonstration of him tying ribbons around finished boxes during his Goldmark exhibition.

Documentary | Ken Matsuzaki | The Intangible Spirit

documentaries ken matsuzaki the jpg webp Documentary | Ken Matsuzaki | The Intangible Spirit Japan

Our documentary tells the story of one of Japan’s most respected studio potters, Ken Matsuzaki. Set against the backdrop of his picturesque Mashiko studio in Japan, it gives a revealing insight into his creative journey and his philosophy on art and working practice. Born into an artistic family, Matsuzaki talks of his apprenticeship with National Living Treasure, Tatsuzo Shimaoka and the subsequent difficulties in finding his own voice. We hear how his pottery town was decimated by the terrible earthquake of 2011 and the international efforts to rebuild it. We see him at work in his studio and we are taken to his exhibitions in Japan and England and hear of his desire now to encourage younger Mashiko potters to be true to themselves as artists and promote them on a world stage.

Inspire Me | Ken Matsuzaki | Part 3

in conversation ken matsuzaki pa 2 jpg webp Inspire Me | Ken Matsuzaki | Part 3 Japan

In this third and final film Ken Matsuzaki looks to the future. He explains how the impact of the Tohoku earthquake on Mashiko and its potters triggered a desire in him to support the young potting community. Innovation and originality, he believes, are key objectives for the young craftsman and cultural exchange can foster this. Ken goes on to discuss his very special relationship with the chawan as a means of expression.