[Ceramics] Kasama-yaki

Soichi Kawaguchi

born in 1956 in Tokyo, Japan, began his pottery training in 1978 at the Echizen Pottery Village in Fukui Prefecture and completed the kiln‑work research and training program in Ibaraki Prefecture in 1980; he subsequently established his own kiln in the Kasama region, developing a distinctive, nature-inspired style often featuring leaf imprints and subtle metallic accents. His works are characterized by hand-building with coils and a hand-turned wheel, a stoneware-like texture, and distinctive motif expression. In particular, he places strong emphasis on originality as vessels that enrich daily life, such as sake ware and lighting pieces. With pieces such as leaf-patterned, stoneware-like sake vessels that are “unlike anything seen elsewhere,” he shows a strong commitment to individuality and is regarded as a particularly distinctive artist even within Kasama ware. His work balances rustic simplicity with contemporary design, and is appreciated as “vessels for everyday life” that emphasize the pleasure of actually using them.