We talked to Yuya Masamura of the Masasa Ceramic Yama kiln, whose delicate expression of carving and the texture of soil continue to create a deeply container.
[1] About the trigger of pursuing the path of crafts, your own background, the history and formation of the workshop
Shoenen in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture, is a pottery of Mino ware. The second -generation Yuya Masamura, along with his first generation, Kanji, continues to make vessels that make use of the texture of the soil.
Kanji, who worked for the potter, became independent and opened his own pottery, Shoenen, in 1997. It is said that Yuya has also been on the path of the ceramic business due to the influence of his father who is more particular about the building.
"After graduating from high school, I studied the basics of ceramics in Tajimi Kogyo Major, and have been working with my parents for about 20 years. I usually make production centered on requests from trading companies, but about 5 years. We have been exhibiting at craft events and ceramics festivals in various places while starting to make our own original vessels and as "Yama Kiln". "
As the number of opportunities to sell directly to users from our hands has increased, not only the vessel you want to make, but also people you want to use, according to your current lifestyle and needs. It seems that it has become.
[2] Being working to stimulate your five senses and conscious
It is said that Mr. Masamura's willingness to make works is caused by the reaction of customers who meet at craft events in various places.
"I made a variety of designs and shape vessels between normal tasks, and started exhibiting at craft events in various places. I have the opportunity to interact with customers who have never used it. The following works, such as "I wanted this kind of vessel", "The image of Mino ware has changed", "It's wonderful", and exchanges such as "I want a slightly larger size" and "Can you do this?" I use it as a reference for making. "
The reason why Masamura -san's feelings and lives that Masamura use are born without regretting the long -time hand -working work, and the birth of a vessel that focuses on the details.
[3] What we value and commitment in the work production, what we want to convey through the work and what we want to fulfill
Masamura mainly creates works to maximize the texture of soil, to decorate the traditional "Ho". A ho is a technique in which the surface of the base of the base is used to shave the surface of the base and use tools such as spatula and canna before drying the rod -molded pottery clay. One of the masterpieces, "Lorier", the rim plate series, the rim of the laurel tree by ho applied to the rim of the vessel enhances the nuances of the soil that are slightly different one by one and conveys the warmth. I am.
"We carefully engrave while adjusting how to insert the blade and adjustment of the blade depending on the difference in soil and drying. It takes a long time to decorate dozens, but we are proud of the trouble.
While taking advantage of the traditional techniques of Mino ware, the gentle form and touch unique to the soil, and the various expressions of the vessels that are generated by the various combinations of soil and glaze can be exciting. Masamura is aiming for a bowl. "
[4] What we are trying to inherit traditional technology and culture and what we want to challenge in the future
The East Agricultural Region in Gifu, where the Yuyama kiln is located, is the production area of Mino ware, and is the largest pottery production area in Japan with a wealth of resources such as soil and glaze necessary to make it. Mino ware has a lot of mass production in large factories, so it seems that the price is cheap, but there are many potters with many commitments, so it would be nice to make grilled foods that make use of traditional techniques. Masu.
"Because most of my pottery is performed by hand, I can't make a lot of manufacture at one time, but I make a lot of things one by one and make or soybeans. It is also a place where this specialist can be transmitted with the specialists of Mino -yaki, such as the glaze shop, the mold shop, the fabric shop, and the painting shop.
Masamura's vessels include compassion for the people who use the vessels, and the intimidating thoughts of protecting the locality and the goodness of handicrafts.