IWASAKI HARUHIKO

Region: Uchinada, Ishikawa

Ishikawa born artist Iwasaki Haruhiko used to work for a design company. During that time he came across various artists' works and it inspired him with a desire to make work with his own hands someday. He registered at the Utsuwayama Kogei Koubou, an institution in Kanazawa city, to study pottery before becoming independent in 1997 and setting up his studio in Uchinada city. Since then he has been making pottery every day, though he joked that Sundays are his day off.

We came across his chawan in a Tokyo exhibition before the opening of our teahouse, so meeting him for the very first time is particularly meaningful to us. His work speaks simplicity, with white, black, and brown in colour tones. He makes a collection of tableware that is somewhat nostalgic, elegant, and harmonizes with the Japanese dining table. He says he is currently testing a new green glazing that may feature in his work in the near future. A distinctive characteristic of his work is that he mixes in the sand of Uchinada Beach, which is known as a sanctuary for lovers - the sand he uses is unofficially known as "love sand".

On the 1st of January 2024 there was a serious earthquake off the coast of Ishikawa prefecture, at the Noto Peninsula. Although Iwasaki san was unharmed, the scale of the devastation that the earthquake caused is immense, and his studio was completely destroyed. Even 18 months later the remains of his studio are cordoned off and he is not allowed to enter the collapsed building due to the remaining danger. He since relocated to Kanazawa, and there was a long period of uncertainty as to whether he would be able to continue on as a potter. Thankfully Iwasaki san has shown huge resilience, and in a smaller space has started again completely from scratch.

We are also delighted to share that he has slowly started to make chawan again after a long period. Please enjoy using his cups, plates, and small pieces as well as his beautiful chawan if you get the chance!