I introduced it on Instagram , but there was a reaction, so I will also do it in a blog article.
We are a shop that deals in Scandinavian tableware, so we usually talk about Scandinavian tableware, but today is an extra edition about modern Japanese tableware.
Every year during Golden Week, the Shigaraki Pottery Forest in Shiga Prefecture holds a pottery fair for contemporary pottery artists. I look forward to this time of year every year, partly because I live in the neighborhood.
Mainly artists from Kansai are the main visitors, but this time there were also artists from Kyushu.
In addition to this pottery market, a traditional Shigaraki ware market is also held in front of Shigaraki Station. Although there is some distance from there, the ceramic forest has a two-tiered structure where exhibitions and sales of contemporary artists will be held.
In front of the station, you can see traditional pottery such as a Shigaraki-yaki raccoon dog with a Daifukucho attached to its waist.
(Photo: Tableware crammed into the space at the Artist's Market)
Popular potteries sell out quickly in the artist market. This time I visited on the first day, but this was the last photo of the shop I was looking for. There is no doubt that such a flat plate will come in handy on Children's Day on May 5th.
What I think about when I walk through the Artist Market is what inspires each individual artist.
The material is basically clay, and although there are differences in density and color, roughly speaking, everyone uses the same material to make the pottery.
I find it strange that there are no two vessels with the same expression, and that they are all packed with individuality, but that they are all pottery. I personally like some artists, but I always think that the lightness of the vessel and the sharpness of the lines are wonderful, and the good things are hidden here and there.
The carp streamer flat plate mentioned above was 2,800 yen. It's so cute and the form and design are excellent, and if you cut 3,000 yen, the high price of Nordic tableware will be lost.
Good things are good regardless of whether they are expensive or cheap, and I once again feel that pottery has no price.