This is a message from Suzu-yaki Artist Shinohara Takashi – February 2025.

Background – 2022-2024 Earthquake

Shinohara Takashi’s kiln was destroyed by the earthquake on January 2024. His home was also damaged, and he is currently living in temporary housing. He plans to begin rebuilding the kiln this March, 2025.

Suzu Pottery works and Earthquake info.: https://shihateacomfort.com/oldsuzu
Recovery Hisory from the Earthquake: https://shihateacomfort.com/suzu-earthquakes

Shinohara Takashi’s Message (English & Japanese Original)

I believe that one of the beauties of medieval Suzu pottery is its dignified appearance. 

The quiet grayish-black color of this pottery invites the person who appreciates it to take in the scenery of the Okunoto region of Ishikawa, Japan.

After a long period of dormancy, Suzu pottery was revived in the modern age through the combined efforts of many people, and has become a symbol of the historical and cultural heritage of Okunoto.

The earthquake caused severe damage to the Suzu Pottery, but now that Noto’s crafts are attracting attention not only in Japan but also abroad, I would like to do my utmost to rebuild the kiln and make the new Suzu Pottery that will be born from it a symbol of the recovery.

 I would like to find the one and only value in the works produced by potter who entrust body and soul to the climate of Okunoto.

I do not want my work to be self-indulgent, but to be in touch with the times, to feel the atmosphere of the times, to be sensitive to what the times demand, and to reflect these demands in my work.

Furthermore, I must not neglect to entrust my works with a message of how I should live in this land and what the future of Noto should be after the earthquake disaster. 

I believe that the work born from the combination of these two elements will surely have the power to reach people’s hearts and move their minds, and I would like to play with the clay with all my heart.

Shinohara Takashi, Suzuyaki Yuge Kiln

（Original in Japanese）
私は中世珠洲古陶の美しさの一つは凛としたその立ち姿にあると思っています。さらに灰黒色の静かな佇まいは観る人を奥能登の情景へと誘います。
平安時代中庸から室町時代後期にかけて隆盛を極め、長い眠りの時を経た後、多くの人々の想いが重なり合って現代に甦った珠洲焼は、かつての奥能登を象徴する歴史文化遺産であるとともにこれからの奥能登の魅力を発信する一翼を担ってきました。
今回の震災で珠洲焼窯元も大きな被害を受けましたが、震災を機に能登の工芸が日本のみならず海外からも注目されるようになった今、窯の再建とそこから新たに生まれる珠洲焼が復興のシンボルとなるよう力を尽くしたいと思っています。

私は奥能登の風土の中に陶工が身と心を委ね、そこから生み出される作品に唯一無二の価値を見出したいと考えています。
また独りよがりの作品ではなく、時代に寄り添い時代の空気を感じつつ時代は何を求めているかを敏感に捉え、それを作品に反映させること。さらにこの土地で自分はどう生きるべきか、震災後の能登の未来はどうあるべきかというメッセージを作品に託すことも怠ってはなりません。それらが合わさって生まれた作品には必ずや人の心に届き人の心を動かす力が宿ることを信じつつ、心して土と戯れたいと思っています。

珠洲焼游戯窯　篠原敬

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Note: Okunoto(奥能登) is the area at the tip of the Noto Peninsula（能登半島）. Life there is simple, in harmony with nature and tradition, with a rich food culture, calm and kind people, and a way of life that holds values different from modern society—this is my impression. Jicky from Shiha Teapot Shop.

Thank you very much for reading.

Shinohara Takashi Works

Shinohara Takashi Item Page

SHINOHARA TAKASHI 篠原敬

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