Until now, I have visited Mr. Mitani's home-cum-workshop in Matsumoto City a few times. Every time, the workshop gets a little bigger; for example, the kitchen has been moved to a separate building. Little-by-little it changes and whenever I visit I let out a yelp of excitement. Becoming more and more interested in the tasteful old furniture and the wonderfully shaped objects hanging on the walls, I can't help but ask him “what's this? And that?” (laughs). Mr. Mitani always answers every question with kindness and his personality is heart-warming - just as we were getting comfortable, he suddenly remembered “oh, I have work to do!”
Mr. Mitani exudes a gentle aura, yet whenever I look at his hand I think “this is a hand that creates. A powerful hand of a person that carries, cuts and caresses wood.”
His kind eyes sparkle behind his trademark round glasses, which act as if they soak up his surroundings and put this into his own work.
At first many people are surprised by the serving of food in a wooden bowl, but after looking at an item which has become light brown after prolonged use, they are sure to change their expression.
I yearned for one of Mr. Mitani's wooden bowls, and excitedly purchased a large Yamazakura wild cherry tree bowl. Goya champuru, beef salad, mābō tōfu...Whenever this bowl makes an appearance as a serving bowl for food at the dinnertable, the faces of friends and family immediately display the look of “this looks delicious!” Delicious memories overlap one another and with each passing day the wooden bowl increased the flavor.
Now, this has become an important treasure for me in my everyday meal making.
Ryuji Mitani
Woodwork Designer
- 1952
- Born in Fukui Prefecture
- 1981
- Established his personal workshop Persona Studio in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture
He proposed wooden items to be used at the everyday dinner table, just like porcelain. As well as holding exhibitions throughout Japan, he is also involved in the creation of 3-dimensional sculpture and flat works. He has been involved in the Craft Fair Matsumoto and Matsumoto Craft Month. Also, he has been appointed director of the Setouchi Lifestyle Craft Festival to be held in November this year, in Kagawa Prefecture. He continues to be active in connecting life and craft. He has published many books such as “Ki no Saji” (published by Shinchosha), “Boku no Iru Tokoro” (Shufu To Seikatsu), “Mitani Ryuji no Ki no Utsuwa” (Atelier Vie), “Mitani Ryuji no 10cm” (PHP Editors Group).
Ryuji Mitani - he has been doing woodwork for 31 years. His pieces display the same warmth as his personality.
Afternoon tea with Mr. Mitani's splendid works. Feel a fleeting sensation of happiness in the gaps between housework and work.
This attractive large bowl with chisel marks is good for people gatherings such as parties. An item you just have to own!