Enokida Kiln, a long-established pottery located in Mashiko Town, Tochigi Prefecture, is a long-established pottery with a long history, currently run by Mr. Tomo Enokida and Mr. and Mrs. Wakaba. I visited the studio of a popular artist in Mashiko Pottery Market.
Wakaba's grandfather worked as a craftsman for Shoji Hamada, an important figure in the history of Japanese folk art and Mashiko ware, and a famous ceramist of the Mingei Movement , and was awarded a medal by the Emperor. direction. Mr. Wakaba's father, Mr. Katsuhiko, who is the 4th generation, is also a master of making teapots. When I visited the store, the sunken hearth room, which is usually set up so that customers can relax and look at the works, was closed. It seems that the water has overflowed.
“I repaired the roof, which I had been worried about for a long time in this corona, but this time it seems that the water pipe has become strange. It seems that it was a fine old private house with over 100 years old and a former small factory. After the couple got married, the interior was changed to a modern interior with a space surrounding the hearth where you can relax and appreciate the works. It's hard to maintain an old house. I think that there are extraordinary difficulties in carrying on the tradition, not only physically but also mentally, but I have the impression that both of you are always positive and calm. The shopkeeper always cheers me up when I meet him.
The store is full of bright lights. Heavy beams are nice too.
The kiln space next to the store.
A kiln is set up using the place where there is a climbing kiln. The slightly sloping workshop is charming.
When Ms. Wakaba was young, he worked in Okinawa, studied abroad, and was involved in volunteer work. She says that her volunteer activities in England and Israel made her friends with the local people, and it was a very good experience. After gaining a lot of experience, he thought, "It might be good for me to make pottery."
It seems that he is conscious of expressing his favorite candy glaze and the natural colors and earth of Mashiko when creating his works. All of them are modern and unique, such as dot patterns and stripe patterns, but the shapes are traditional and made with Mashiko clay and glaze.
The popular curry dish has a nostalgic oval shape that reminds you of the Showa era. Available in large and small sizes.
The antique series is baked with "reduction firing" that does not come into contact with oxygen, so the color has a deep taste.
Dot pattern using "waxing", a technique passed down from generation to generation in the Enokida kiln. It is a technique that repels the glaze where the wax is applied.
Twin bean plate. This shape, which looks like a series of circles, also uses a traditional plaster mold. Condiments, seasonings, pickles for chopstick rest, etc. are very convenient.
The popular jar is used not only for miso, but also for storing preserved foods such as handmade pickled plums and scallions. I love the light blue plaid!
Also for seasonings such as salt koji. It is very useful because it can be used for a wide range of purposes. It's perfect for transferring only the amount you need from the storage container to the jar and storing it in the refrigerator. The pottery jar makes the taste mellow, so the owner puts it in as a finishing touch to the homemade umeboshi and pickled ginger.
My husband, Tomo, was from Osaka and was active with the dream of becoming a musician. When I was performing on the streets of Okinawa as a trial, I met Mr. Wakaba, who was working in Okinawa. When he came to Mashiko for the first time, he said, "If the area is the sea, it feels like Okinawa, and I really like it." Married Wakaba in 2009. After a while, the person himself also walks the path of a ceramic artist.
On this day as well, I was working on a work to be exhibited in the kiln.
Mr. Tomo has inherited the world of more traditional folk crafts and is making pottery. You can feel the color and texture of modern taste in Mashiko ware that has been inherited.
A beautifully colored curry dish baked with "reduction firing".
This is a different color white. Nice soft milky color.
The 5-sun plate of about 15 cm is an excellent size for usability.
It's a simple look that goes well with any dish.
A coffee dripper with a beautiful color of Mashiko's traditional glaze.
It is a technique called "kakewake" in which two or more types of glaze are applied separately.
The balance of Mashiko ware's traditional glaze, amber glaze, straw white glaze, and green glaze, is modern!
The stylish pitcher with deep candy glaze is also wonderful. It seems to make everyday life simple and stylish.
Both Mr. Satoshi and Mr. Wakaba feel that the traditional shape is easy to use, and the wisdom and ingenuity of their predecessors are packed into it, and it has a deep meaning. I'm sure you'll be surprised once again that it will come nicely when you actually use it.
I am looking forward to the future activities of the two of you, who are making pottery with love and respect for their predecessors!
Enokida Kiln Head Office 4240 Mashiko, Mashiko Town, Haga District, Tochigi Prefecture
0285-72-2528
(Update: January 22, 2022)