The tinted twist of nerikomi
- Yuko uses an ancient Asian technique to make colourful porcelain objects
- She is fond of traditional Japanese motifs such as repeat-patterns of flowers
- She makes everyday objects that are playful and surprising
Yuko Kuramatsu creates tableware and decorative objects using the nerikomi technique, an ancient method of layering tinted porcelain, fired at high temperatures. The colours are incorporated in the material itself as pigment, rather than being painted or glazed. "It is a very specific and rare technique that relies on using coloured oxides in porcelain," explains Yuko. Her designs, composed line by line and piece by piece, are entirely handmade. Drawing from her dual French-Japanese heritage, she incorporates traditional Japanese motifs, and poems and wishes of the Japanese tradition, while reinterpreting them for a European audience. Yuko's work has a quiet elegance that feels both timeless and contemporary.
Interview
- How does the connection between Japan and France shape your work?
- The connection often reveals itself in how others perceive it—French people describe it as very Japanese, while Japanese people find it distinctly French. In truth, my work reflects both cultures. I incorporate traditional Japanese patterns and techniques, with the aim of introducing this art form to France and Europe.
- What do people generally not know about your work?
- My patterns are neither painted nor printed—they are tinted throughout. It is a meticulous assembly. People often do not realise how much time I spend on this, the high risk of cracks during drying, and all the steps involved.
- Where do you draw your inspiration from?
- Everything around me. I try to pick up on the signs around me. It can be something insignificant or mundane to others. I also like bringing unexpected elements into plates, such as mandrills, credit cards, road markers, or regional specialties from Poitou-Charentes. Basically, I enjoy having fun!
- What drives you to create every day?
- The desire to perfect my technique and the urge to keep surprising both myself and others. Making people smile, perhaps even making them happy and adding a bit of colour to their lives. I also love the craft itself.
Yuko Kuramatsu is a rising star: she began her career in 2016 and she started teaching in 2024
Where
Yuko Kuramatsu
