THE STORY
Innovating Tradition
Situated halfway between Osaka and Hiroshima, most foreign travelers will only see Okayama Prefecture fly past through their bullet train windows. Blink at the wrong time and you might just miss the home and pottery studio of Kazuya Ishida fly by in just the same fashion.
Nestled in a valley amongst rice fields and within sight of the aforementioned Shinkansen line, Kazuya Ishida has set up his base in his hometown of Imbe, a village in the Bizen area that is home to one of Japan’s so-called ‘six ancient kilns’. Going by his nickname “Kaz”, Ishida is part of a craft with a history dating back to the 14th century.
Bizen ware has a rich heritage and distinct style. Reddish-brown and traditionally unglazed due to the clay’s unique properties. It has a rustic, simple, somewhat raw and timeless appearance.
Simple too, are its origins: Before artisans started creating elaborate sculptures as today, Bizen ware was almost exclusively used for daily use items such bowls and plates, but also roof tiles and large storage vessels. A little later the founders and masters of the 16th century tea ceremony embraced that same simplicity and its imperfections in their practice.
Rapid modernisation a few centuries later put the craft under threat, but the valiant effort of several artisans ensured its survival. “If a tradition is under threat of dying, only innovation can save it” Kaz says, stating a core truth that many craftspeople in Japan seem to ignore. Perhaps more than elsewhere in the world, the image of the tortured artist laboring away in solitude is often admired here, but it should come as no surprise that this way of working often does little to preserve a craft.
Kaz, by contrast, could not be happier in sharing his knowledge and appreciation of Bizen ware. He has traveled extensively to both spread his craft and learn from others, using his fantastic English to carry his local pottery style not just around Japan, but the world.
"If a tradition is under threat of dying, only innovation can save it."
He told us that while in his teens, everything was set up for him to become an athlete, but something drew him back home and behind a pottery wheel. His connection to movement however has undeniably remained. While shaping a vase for us on his wheel with his eyes closed, he says that he used to breakdance and still gains inspiration from it. His signature technique translates to “Spiral Technique” and using it, he effortlessly creates a piece with a gorgeous spiral pattern right in front of us. A piece that looks modern and traditional at the same time, and without a doubt conveys its creator’s energy and passion for his craft.
We wrap up the day with some fantastic pizza in the garden, handmade by Kaz’ current student from New Zealand. The landscape in the setting sun is serene, yet the passing bullet trains bring bursts of energy to the scene. It’s not hard to see why Kaz likes it here.
