Teawares Exhibition 2026
Akihiko Ishijima, Kiyoko Morioka, Mutsumi Ohashi, Saori Yamazaki, Yuka Owada
Yuka Owada
Yuka Owada creates ceramics with soft, rounded forms and muted colours, evoking warmth and calm. Based in Kasama City, she uses local materials and focuses on creating pieces that are both functional and visually comforting.
Her teapots, with their excellent water flow and tactile appeal, are designed to enhance everyday moments, enriching gatherings and personal tea rituals alike.
Kiyoko Morioka
Kiyoko Morioka is a master of Kutani porcelain, a craft she honed at the Prefectural Kutani Yaki Technical Training Institute. Inspired by the skies of Kanazawa, her work features ultra-thin rims and velvety textures, achieved through meticulous sanding.
Since earning her Ph.D. in 2016, Morioka-san has become a prominent figure in Japanese ceramics, blending tradition with modern aesthetics to create timeless, functional art pieces.
Akihiko Ishijima
Born in Tokyo in 1954, Akihiko Ishijima trained under Kaneta Sanzaemon in Hagi before studying at the Royal Art Academy in Denmark. In 1981, he established his kiln in Mashiko, where he creates works that focus on texture, structure, and sculptural presence, rather than traditional glazing.
His career spans decades of exhibitions and awards, including the Minister of Education Award at the 2013 Japan Ceramic Exhibition. Ishijima-san’s pieces are celebrated for their bold, tactile aesthetics, blending traditional Japanese sensibilities with modern forms.
Mutsumi Ohashi
Based in Yatsugatake, surrounded by lush nature, Mutsumi Ohashi creates ceramics using traditional wood-firing methods. He makes his own clay by mixing various types and uses local red pine wood for firing, creating earthy, textured pieces with organic yet refined aesthetics.
Ohashi-san is celebrated for his Yakishime (unglazed) works and ash-glazed pieces, which are meticulously crafted to achieve rich textures and subtle colour variations.
Saori Yamazaki
Saori Yamazaki specialises in creating elegant tea wares, including teapots and hōhin. Based in Kasama, she uses carbonisation techniques to create warm, textured finishes. Her rounded forms and delicate finishes are designed to elevate everyday tea rituals.
Each of Yamazaki-san’s pieces is carefully handcrafted, combining beauty and functionality. Her teapots, often featuring whimsical details like animal-shaped lids, are highly sought after by collectors.
