Aya Watanuki's tableware is so relaxing and heartwarming. This is the first time we have stocked her work in our shop. We visited her studio and listened to her thoughts on craftsmanship and the process of making things.
When deciding on her major at university, Ms. Watanuki came into contact with many different materials and found that clay was the material that suited her best. From there, she decided to pursue pottery and now has a studio in the nature-rich mountain valley of Sagamihara, near Yamanashi.
Surrounded by magnificent mountains and with a pleasant breeze, art is created every day in this place.
The workshop is well organized and appears easy to use.
There are also two cats who live in the workshop, watching over her.
The other cat was shy and only showed his face for a little while. In fact, these siblings were also abandoned cats, and the mother cat left them in front of the entrance saying, "Please take care of these cats!" There are many campsites nearby, and as a result, there is a constant stream of cats being left behind.
Due to the circumstances of the area, we were introduced to a person who is involved in cat protection activities, and a new family member came to our store. His name is Ao, the assistant owner, and he often appears in our e-mail newsletters and on sns.
The assistant store owner looks at them with great interest.
When I think I'm wandering around the workplace on a whim, I sometimes lie around and pamper myself with the owners, providing them with forced healing. Our work attitude is too free to be called the "assistant owner," but today, too, I am protecting the peace of the store at my own pace (?).
Ms. Watanuki not only introduced me to pottery, but also made such a wonderful connection. The softness and joy that can be felt in her work is a reflection of her own warm personality.
Now, let me introduce her products !
"I like things that make me feel nostalgic, so I often use motifs such as scenery I saw as a child or events that happened in elementary school," says Ms. Watanuki.
What is depicted is the scene of gym class or swimming pool time, when everyone is wearing the same hats and swimsuits and moving in unison at the sound of the teacher's whistle. Lively voices echoing through the schoolyard and classrooms, lining up to do warm-up exercises, and the moment when we jump into the water, splashing everywhere. All of these are moments that should have been spent casually, but when I think back on them now, they remain as warm memories in my heart. Her pottery depicts the gentle scenes from such memories. The air of those days floats softly in the air, and every time I look at or use them, I feel nostalgic.
The vessels are shaped using molds, but they have the perfect amount of imperfection that can only be achieved through handwork, and the colors of the glazes and paintings are calm and gentle, blending in seamlessly with the dining table and everyday life.
This time, we also had them make cat-shaped dishes.
The illustrations will make you smile and tickle your heart.
The desire to make each and every piece "enjoyable for the person using it" is softly imbued in each piece.
Her tableware exudes nostalgia and warmth. It's sure to become a companion that will soothe your meal and snack time.
Click here for a list of Ms. Aya Watanuki's works
