On a calm afternoon, as the warm light pours into the dining table, a lovely piece of pottery suddenly catches your eye. A moment of ordinary daily life is softly and gently colored... Kumiko Ishikawa, who works under the name "studio claynote" in Hakodate, Hokkaido, creates works that bring warmth to the heart.
Ms. Ishikawa started pottery with the light-hearted thought, "I want to try taking up a hobby." Little by little, interacting with clay became a daily pleasure, and it developed into the form it is today.
With the idea in mind of "creating something that gently accompanies you in your daily life," we use our free imagination to create a wide variety of items, including not only vessels but anything that can be shaped out of clay.
Ms. Ishikawa is also active in the Mashiko Pottery Market. The exhibition space is so enjoyable that even just looking at the exhibits will bring a smile to your face. 
Each piece is carefully shaped using a potter's wheel or board-making techniques, then painted with paint and glaze using a brush. Then, glaze is gently applied on top of that... The warmth of handcrafting can be felt from the process, which was carried out with no effort or time spared.
Her work is sprinkled with the essence of a wide variety of art, including sophisticated Scandinavian and German design, the profound quality of timeless objects, and architecture, textiles, film, and music. Her works are filled with a deep expression and worldview that allows you to discover new charms every time you look at them, lending them a quiet radiance.
When you pick it up, you can feel its smoothness and simple, earthy texture. The smooth and rough textures give you the feeling of communicating with the earth.
It is something that gives us moments in our daily lives that suddenly soften our hearts. It is nostalgic and makes us happy just to have it nearby, and above all, it is gentle. It is tableware that has the power to make everyday meals just a little bit more special.
Kumiko Ishikawa's works are available here
