We are pleased to be able to handle pottery made by Mr. Koh Ichino, who makes pottery in Tanba Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture, which is also the hometown of Tamba ware. I heard a lot of stories about the production! 
“ There were several children in the elementary school class who worked in pottery, and there was a class where we made something and baked it in a climbing kiln on the back hill once a year . Before I knew it , there were pottery, glass, and wooden vessels by various artists on the dining table at home since I was little ."
Tanba-yaki is one of the six ancient kilns of Japan, along with Seto, Tokoname, Shigaraki, Bizen, and Echizen. It is said to have originated from the end of the Heian period to the beginning of the Kamakura period, and has a history of about 850 years. An episode unique to such a production area. It was a very interesting story for the owner (wife) who grew up in Saitama, a mass-produced product kingdom. Mr. Ichino himself was also a pottery maker, so it was an environment where pottery was familiar. When I was thinking about my career path in high school, it may have been natural for me to want to do pottery.
It is said that he went to school in Kyoto with the intention of doing pottery for a little while, but soon fell in love with pottery. After that, he learned pottery techniques under a potter in Kyoto, and built a kiln in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture.
Mr. Ichino still enjoys collecting the pottery of his favorite artists little by little. By the way, his wife is also a potter. You can see that it is because of the creator who loves tableware, as well as making it, that the dish looks great and creates a tableware that blends in well with the dining table.
Well, here's a nice introduction to the plates!
“What I think about when I create is that the food becomes the main character and blends in with the dining table. However, now I have a sense of security, but it is moderately light. His sincere approach to making pottery is also reflected in his works. In addition to the sublime beauty of glaze and shinogi, Mr. Ichino's works are so comfortable that you will always want to pick them up and use them. 
The colored ash glaze makes it easy to express the shape. For example, in the case of the rinbana small bowl, the rim and rim of the rim make the glaze flow and flow, giving it a rich look. 
Turquoise is a glaze that flows more easily than others, so you will be fascinated by the beauty of the glaze that accumulates in the leaf pattern. 
Pay attention to the hardness of the soil and the timing when carving the leaf pattern, and carefully one by one.
The depth of the engraving is adjusted because the flow and other characteristics differ depending on the type of glaze. 
When manganese glaze is used, it becomes slightly glossy and the color changes. At the beginning of use, it may be uneven, but you will get used to it as you use it. Ichino's pottery is one of the flavors that change over time. Please enjoy the time with the vessel that grows old together.
In 2021, Mr. Ichino returned to his hometown of Tamba from Matsuyama and started making pottery.
“ Tanba is a good environment for making pottery in the countryside.Although I haven't been involved much yet , I think that I have to think about the future of the production area.” Mr. Ichino Be sincere in your answers. By seeing the outside world and then returning to your hometown to make pottery, I think you will be able to create new and wonderful works. I am very much looking forward to your future endeavors.
Click here for works handled by Koh Ichino 