We talked to Koji Iki, a potter who aims to make a bowl that can be close to modern life with the theme of nature, climate, and history of Okinawa.
[1] About the trigger of pursuing the path of crafts, your own background, the history and formation of the workshop
From Yachimun no Sato in Yomitan, Koji Iki has a pottery studio in a place where he moved a little by car. You can overlook the sea and nature from the workshop, and the gallery has art works from everyday works.
Iki, who is from Kyoto, goes to Okinawa Prefectural University of the Arts, which has just opened, with the desire to escape the city, which is being lost in the ancient city of the bubble. In the rural areas, the crafts had a great impression, so as you studied on the crafts' pottery course, your thoughts on manufacturing grew somewhere, and it will be a trigger for the path of pottery.
Speaking of Okinawan potatoes, it is popular with the image of folk art, but Iki saw it when he was a student.16Wakutayaki of the century19It is said that the simple and powerful appearance of Okinawan portrait, such as the white makeup soil of the century, felt that this is his place. After graduating from university, he became a disciple of Yomiyama Yaki and Minori Omine, a student of his life, and later became independent. Since then, Mr. Iki's manufacturing has evolved every day with the theme of Okinawa's nature, culture, and history, with the theme of the atmosphere of the Ryukyu kingdom era, aiming for a vessel that can help modern life.
[2] Being working to stimulate your five senses and conscious
Iki, who goes back to the history of Okinawa until the dynasty, and continues to make a pottery while staring deeply, is he going to make his work?
"Are you trying to be neutral as much as possible, politically, politically, and economically?
It seems that Iki -san's vessels are born from sharpening their sensitivity and pursuing their works.
[3] What we value and commitment in the work production, what we want to convey through the work and what we want to fulfill
In the Ryukyu dynasty antiques, there is a vessel that shines a clear blue dyeing pattern on a beautiful white background that Muneyoshi Yanagi is "white like an egg shell", and one of Iki's masterpieces. The "Dyeing" series is a work that worked on reproduction of that era. Also"mintamaThe series is16A container baked in Okinawa before the century in a kiln village called "Yuta ware" was arranged in a modern style. Since the point hitting the soil that appears inside the bowl looks like a highlight, the highlight of the Okinawan dialect means "the centerpiece.mintama] Was named.
"There are shapes that are nurtured because of the land called Ryukyu, and what is born only here. Okinawan potatoes are a spacious vessel, such as low center of gravity, curvature, and stability of Yokomo. There is a "Okinawan shape" that is nurtured because it has no plasticity, and it is important to be conscious of being born. Instead of making ceramics for a principle society, we make things that can be used as a daily beauty and a dialogue that can be used as a beauty for daily dishes to prove our existence. I am conscious of "
Modern beauty and comfort are added to the culture and traditions cultivated in Okinawa, which Iki values.1Dedicated1The works will be even more attractive.
[4] What we are trying to inherit traditional technology and culture and what we want to challenge in the future
Mr. Iki believes that pottery is inseparable from the roots of the land.
"I think that pottery has been inherited in history and climate, and I try to look at the modernity while cherishing the uniqueness of the land. In the future, we will deepen its view. I want to make something that can only be expressed in this area. "
Iki's vessels, which combine the dignity of Okinawan -like pottery and the ease of use of modern life, are all condensed in Okinawa's climate and history.
You can see the product here ↓
At Serendouce Crafts, JapanWe propose modern beauty and comfort living with traditional crafts.
You can also see the work from Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/serendouce_crafts_/