Small plate by Oohara Kouichi
Size: diameter 8.7-9cm
Light glaze / matte metallic glaze

Born in Tokyo, he came across pottery while studying Physics at university and decided to leave university to pursue it. He spent a year travelling around Japan to learn about different pottery styles, also travelling to Korea before settling down in Tokoname, Aichi prefecture. Tokonameyaki is one of the six ancient kilns of Japan.

He makes all of his clay, ash, and glaze by hand. He believes even if it takes time, he wants to do everything by hand and create his own recipes as the ware is created from his hands to the person's hands who will be using it. His work is known to have an antique like look as if it has stood still with time for years.

In addition to his beautiful collection of tableware, he also makes pieces such as light fixtures, Buddha hands, and more recently a really big ceramic doll. He likes to experiment with various materials (recently a friend’s foreign beer can), firing his work with them together and seeing how they add to his work. One thing he emphasised to us is that he does not see a line between functional work and art work. In his studio we saw some stunningly beautiful plates being used as clocks, and he pointed out that different parts of the ceramic doll he is making can be used as tableware too.

If you wish to see more details or a video of the product before purchasing, please send us a message on Instagram. For pieces that have more than one, we will pick randomly from the available glazing (each one is handmade so each one has its own individuality and we hope you appreciate it!)