Introducing Ms. Ayano Arai, who makes pottery every day in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture using two techniques: Slipware and Washizome (Japanese paper painting).
The first time I met Ms. Arai's work was in May 2023 at the Design Festa held at Tokyo Big Sight. Although delicate, the plant-patterned slipwear instantly caught my eye. Naturally, such a wonderful work caught everyone's attention, and in no time there was a long line of people waiting to see it...
In October 2023, she will exhibit for the first time at craft fair "Kouboukaranokaze", which is held every year in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture. There are wonderful tableware that you will want to serve your food on.
When asked about her thoughts on pottery , she said, '' I entered Musashino Art University because I have always loved making things and drawing pictures.There, while studying various crafts, I realized that ceramics was what I wanted to express the most. I felt that it was the best material that could be made, and since then, I have continued to create it obsessively.It is not just something you buy and look at, but you can actually incorporate it into your daily life and use it.Every day. If you continue to use it, the depth of the pottery will develop and you can make it a different and more flavorful pottery than when you started. Ceramics are a really interesting material, and the pottery will change even more depending on the user. I would appreciate it if you would take good care of your pottery.'' says Ms. Arai. It's a vessel that you can really use and look forward to seeing as it ages.
A British-born slipware technique which you can't draw a rough sketch, so you can finish it all at once. When asked why she chose this highly difficult technique , she answered, '' The reason I started slipware was for my graduation project. When I was in my fourth year of college, I was thinking about what to make for my graduation project. I happened to come across a book on slipware in the library, and was struck by the wares listed in it.I learned more about what slipware is, and when I actually purchased a slipware plate, I was even more impressed by the warmth of slipware. I was drawn to the charm of slipware. When I actually tried the technique, it was difficult to control the fluid makeup soil, but as time passed, I gradually got used to the technique and created a general pattern. I am now able to draw the classic patterns of slipware, such as the feather comb and latice pattern. However, it is just an imitation of other artists, and I am not sure if I can make this my own work or individuality as a graduation project. I was worried.I had always liked drawing plant patterns, so I kept trying to see if I could somehow express the plant patterns I had in mind using slipwear, and by the time I finished my graduation project, I had managed to draw the plant patterns I had in mind. Even after graduating, I continue to make use of the fluid movement of slipware to draw vivid plant patterns.''
Even though she was advised by a university teacher that you had better reconsider because he has seen students who have tried and failed many times trying to create their own slipware, she decided that she wanted to try it no matter what. she feel that by working diligently and without giving up, she was able to create slipwear like no other. 
The technique of washizome (Japanese paper painting) started '' Two years ago, I started working as a painting assistant for the pottery artist Ms. Natsumi Iino. While learning the painting technique under Ms. Iino, I was able to help out. I discovered a new kind of fun when I created it myself for a japanese paper painting workshop. I began to think that with this technique, I could create plant patterns that couldn't be done with slipwear.'' it seems that this was the trigger. The Japanese paper-painted works also have warm and gentle flower patterns that will soothe your soul.
From now on, Ms. Arai says, '' I will combine the slipwear techniques and the painting techniques I learned under Mr. Iino to pursue an unprecedented expression of slipwear.'' She is an artist that I can't help but think will show me new works that I have never seen before.
Click here for Ms. Ayano Arai's works
