Beyond the Cup - Sake Marche Interviews Ceramic Artist Tomoyasu Nakajima: The Philosophy and 'Kare-iro Senmon' (Withered Color Line Pattern) Breathing in Sake Vessels
In this series, "Beyond the Cup," we at Sake Marche explore the profound world of sake.
We visit and interview those who weave the world of sake from various perspectives, including sake rice growers, master brewers at sake breweries, and the creators of the "vessels" that further enhance the flavor of sake.
In this [Part 1] and [Part 2], we focus on the "vessels" that are indispensable to the world of sake.
We interviewed ceramic artist Tomoyasu Nakajima, whose unique style captivates many hearts. His works possess both the inherent strength of the clay and a delicate expression, radiating a quiet yet certain presence. Every time you hold them,every time you use them, they seem to change their expression, offering new discoveries.How exactly are his vessels born?
And what kind of philosophy and depth are imbued in the special technique that symbolizes his work, the "Kare-iro Senmon (Withered Color Line Pattern)"? In [Part 1] of this series, through an interview with Tomoyasu Nakajima, we approach the fundamental ideas behind his creation, the special techniques imbued in his works, and his unknown world of philosophy. An encounter with his vessels might just bring a warm story into your daily life.
Who is ceramic artist Tomoyasu Nakajima? (The path to pottery)
What was the path that led Tomoyasu Nakajima to pursue the way of pottery and establish his own unique style?
In the interview, Mr. Nakajima shares that a strong desire, "I didn't want to make vessels that were the same as others," is at the root of his style.
He originally experimented with a technique called "zogan" (inlay), where patterns are carved and filled with different clay, but he felt that "that method would end up being the same as everyone else's," and began searching for an expression that only he could achieve.
Not wanting to be the same as others, and since he was going to do pottery, he wanted to "make different vessels." That insatiable spirit of inquiry became the driving force behind his "one-of-a-kind" style and the special technique known as "Kare-iro Senmon."
Unraveling the core of Tomoyasu Nakajima's "one-of-a-kind style" through an interview
When you pick up one of Tomoyasu Nakajima's works, you are captivated by the warmth of the clay, the unique texture, and the patterns that seem to draw you in. Let's delve deeper into the core elements that form his style through the interview.
The "Kare-iro Senmon" technique that defines the individuality of his work
Indispensable when talking about Mr. Nakajima's work is the unique technique called "Kare-iro Senmon." This is born not by simply drawing patterns, but by combining it with a method called "yakishime" (high-temperature unglazed firing), where different clay is applied over the drawn pattern and fired at a high temperature without glaze.
Regarding the reason for choosing this technique, Mr. Nakajima explains that in addition to not being good at drawing initially, he started it because I thought it would be good to have a way of drawing that is recognizable as mine, while also having some kind of meaning behind the pattern. It is not merely decoration, but embodies Mr. Nakajima's own personality and special significance.
In the interview, Mr. Nakajima reveals the origin of this technique, saying, "Isn't the beginning (of the Kare-iro Senmon) the desire for people to enjoy those changes while using them?"
The driving force behind creating this one-of-a-kind technique was the wish for the pieces to change their expression over time, leading to discoveries and attachment for the user, and for those who hold them to feel the 'living' changes of the vessel and find surprises.
In particular, he is particular about using a brush to apply the clay (such as white slip). This is because "it is easier to create gradations when applied with a brush." By using white clay on the outside and dark clay on the inside, a vivid gradation of white and black is created after firing, giving the work depth and movement. The fact that the thickness of the clay changes depending on the brush strokes, which then appears as shades of color and unevenness after firing, is a unique charm of this technique.
The philosophy of 'movement' and 'memory' dwelling in the work, and a special 'encounter'
The most important meaning Mr. Nakajima has put into the 'Kare-iro Senmon' technique is the philosophy of wanting to leave the movement as pottery in the ceramic after it has been fired.
"Before firing, the clay moves, and during firing, there is movement due to the flickering of the fire. But once it's finished, it becomes something hard and motionless."
Mr. Nakajima wants to store that living 'movement' in his work. It is likely because this philosophy lies at the foundation that the patterns in his work look like the traces of earth and fire.
What is also interesting is that Mr. Nakajima's physical condition and mood are reflected in how he draws those patterns. "It changes depending on my physical condition, etc... When I'm drawing boldly, it's when I'm in good health, or when I'm feeling a bit naive, there might be a bit more detail." From bold lines to delicate lines, his inner movements and emotions at that time are carved into the work.
This 'fluctuation' and 'memory of change,' where no two are the same, is exactly what captures the moment the work was born.
It is not just a trace of production, but a personality that symbolizes that the encounter itself with the work is a special 'once-in-a-lifetime' event. From the abundance and expression of the line patterns, one can imagine the author's breath and state at the time of creation, and the time spent facing the clay—.
This aspect is also the depth of the work, and as one of the 'discoveries' to be found while using it, it leads to Mr. Nakajima's desire for people to enjoy it as a special connection with each individual vessel. Along with aging, this one-of-a-kind personality, which can be called the 'presence of the author,' makes the work a more familiar and beloved existence.
[Part 1 Summary and Preview of Part 2]
In this [First Part] of the article, we approached the source of the 'one-of-a-kind' charm of ceramic artist Tomoyasu Nakajima's work. The unique 'Kare-iro Senmon' technique born from the starting point of 'wanting to make things different from others.' The philosophy of wanting to store the 'movement' of earth and fire embedded in that technique, and the artist's deep wish for people to cherish the encounter with the work as a 'once-in-a-lifetime' event. These combine to give Mr. Nakajima's work a depth found nowhere else.
Mr. Nakajima's vessels are not just objects, but harbor stories and philosophy. So, how do these unique vessels demonstrate their charm in our actual daily lives? What kind of joy and pleasure can users find in these vessels?
In the following [Second Part], we will focus on practical charms such as 'ease of use' and 'functionality' as a vessel, and the pleasure of 'aging' that deepens the more you use it. Furthermore, we will specifically introduce the episode of 'unloading the kiln,' which the artist himself finds most rewarding, and how you can encounter these special vessels (such as how to purchase them at Sake Marche).