Introducingto you Mr. Ichigawa, who has gathered support from all cuisine researchers who are cooking professionals. His workshop is located a 15 minute car journey away from Toki no Kumo at the foot of Mt. Ibuki. After several years of training, he came back to the town of Ibuki (now Maibara) in 1999, where he was born and raised. He utilizes quality soil to create Shirashi ware and yakijime Haji ware, which are durable and resistant against cracking. Also, he has created his own fireproof series. As he makes every part of his pieces, even down to the wooden lids, he has a large amount of work to do, yet he seems to enjoy this challenge. The fireproof pots and dishes amongst his works will collect soot and oil on the surface, deepening the color, if they are used for cooking instead of your regular pots and pans, deepening the color.
These are items that will appeal to those who want to kitchenware that “matures” as you use it.
Mr, Ichikawa's unpretentiousness on first impression, and the fact that he creates pieces that fit into everyday life, are what certainly appeals to the hearts and minds of his customers. Another great thing about him is his eagerness to learn, which leads to him spending most of his time at exhibitions interacting with visitors. Requests and suggestions such as, “It”d be great if I could get something that looks like this”, and “if this were a little smaller it would be easier to use”, are sincerely heeded, and his feeling of “I want to absorb as much as advice as possible on creating items” comes across strongly.
Mr. Ichikawa has recently been putting his effort into teacups and teapots. Somehow, he had a chance to meet with Li Shuyin, a tea expert active in Taiwan, which has taught him about Taiwanese tea, and so he has also become interested in tea. He has created a new tea utensil series, and in the future he is sure to be an artist to keep your eye on.
Takashi Ichikawa
- 1967
- Born in Shiga Prefecture
- 1990
- Graduated in sculpture from Hokkaido University of Education, Kushiro campus
- 1992
- Completed graduate school at Joetsu University of Education (majoring in sculpture)
Worked as an occasional art lecturer at Ibuki High School, Shiga Prefecture - 1993
- Worked at Furutani Seitousho in Shigaraki-cho, Shiga Prefecture
- 1996
- Made ceramics in Ueno, Mie Prefecture
- 1997
- Studied under Shigeyoshi Morioka living in Wakayama Prefecture
- 1999
- Built a downdraft-style wood-fired kiln for ceramics in Ibuki town. Had exhibitions in variations locations.
- 2009
- Built a semi-underground wood-fired kiln in Okuibuki.
- Currently,
- his exhibitions are being held at “Rozan” & “Natsutsubaki” in Tokyo, “Kawaguchi Bijutsu” & “kitone” in Kyoto, “TOKI no KUMO” in Nagahama, etc.
Mr. Ichikawa, always has a kind smile on his face. With a towel wrapped around his head and working in silence, his appearance reflects someone who is one with the earth.
A pot for storing umeboshi, miso, etc. Thoughtfully designed so that you can attach a tag should you so wish.
The semi-underground wood-fired kiln at his workshop in Okuibuki. His completed deeply nuanced ceramics are fired with these powerful flames.