Shinobu Takatori

Ceramicist

©Takatori Hassengama

Elegant tea ware in amber tones

Shinobu carries the master name Takatori Hachinojofunin XIV as he is the 14th generation to run the workshop
The Takatori Hassen kiln has over 400 years of history
Takatori ware is a utilitarian tea ware

Shinobu Takatori is the 14th generation potter of the Takatori Hassen kiln based in Asakura county of Fukuoka prefecture. During the Japanese invasions of Korea in the late 16th century, Korean master potters were brought to Japan to lead ceramic production. By the 18th century, as the demand for high quality tea ceremony tools for generals and feudal lords grew, Takatori ware became renowned for its kirei-sabi (elegant beauty) style, perfected by tea master Kobori Enshu. Alongside ceramics production with stylistic influences from Korea and China, and as one of Enshu’s Seven Kilns, Shinobu carries on the master’s philosophy. He creates teaware with refined, simple and elegant forms, consisting of earth-tone and dark amber glazes that form poetic and abstract landscapes.

Interview

©Takatori Hassengama

©Takatori Hassengama

What skills did you acquire under the 13th generation Hassen Takatori?: Through repeated practice of teacup making that involves essential clay working and potter’s wheel techniques, glazing, kiln mounting and firing, I eventually mastered creating thinly made teacups with beautiful and delicate glaze expressions that represent the Takatori style.
What inspires your work?: As the world of chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony) is closely related to the Zen philosophy, studying books related to hanging scrolls, flower arrangement, tea rooms, gardens, history books, and ancient scripts is an essential part of my work.
What is a lesser-known fact about your work?: After interacting with tea masters, we decided to create the Chasen (tea whisk) Memorial Service, to honour this utensil which is fundamental in tea ceremonies. By burning it and using the ashes, I create glazes for my tea bowls
What is your message for aspiring artisans?: The word I keep in mind is the ancient saying 'Issho' (a laugh). It means that however hard a person works to create something, the creation from the heavens will always be superior, and the heavens will always laugh at the man-made.

Shinobu Takatori is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1984