Yu Nishioka

西岡悠

Ceramic Artist • 1977 –

Ceramic artist born in Chiba Prefecture. Yu apprenticed under Goro Suzuki and later became an independent ceramic artist based in Mino, Gifu Prefecture. After gaining experience in various crafts such as furniture and musical instrument making, he became attracted to the depth of ceramics and now pursues the unique charm of Mino ware, focusing especially on expressing the texture of Ki-Seto, which is said to be highly difficult to achieve. He produces works that take full advantage of the diverse characteristics of Mino clay, which he seeks out and digs himself.

BASED IN: Ena, Gifu Prefecture

POINT OF VIEW

It is precisely because something is complex and challenging that it is worth pursuing for the entirety of one’s life. Mino ware, which offers a variety of styles worthy of special mention, is the spark that ignites Yu Nishioka’s spirit of pursuit. The works he creates in search of an expression different from others seem to convey the passionate spirit of this artist who continues to push the limits of these challenging ceramics.

CRAFT ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

1977: Born in Chiba Prefecture
2011: Graduated from Ceramics Vocational Training Institute of Aichi Prefecture
: Apprenticed under Goro Suzuki
2014: Established independent practice in Ena, Gifu Prefecture
2019: Constructed a wood-fired toen-shiki (down-draft) kiln utilizing the inverted flame method

Related Contents

CRAFT

Kokuko-de Ki-Seto Tea Bowl

Yu Nishioka

Ena, Gifu Pref.

VOL.136

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CRAFT

Ki-Seto Tea Bowl

Yu Nishioka

Ena, Gifu Pref.

VOL.128

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RESOURCE

Ki-Seto
- Generic term
- Technique
A type of Mino ware created during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573 – 1603). It is characterized by a pale yellow glaze, and is often decorated with line carvings and floral motifs, as well as mottled patterns in green caused by copper sulfate called tanpan, and in brown caused by iron. It uses two types of glazes: one transparent and shiny called “Kiku-zara-de” (chrysanthemum plate) or “Guinomi-de” (sake cup), and the other moist like fried bean curd called “Ayame-de” (iris) or “Aburage-de” (deep fried tofu).
Oribe
- Generic term
- Technique
A type of Mino ware first created during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573-1603). It is thought to have reflected the taste of Furuta Oribe, a celebrated master of the Japanese tea ceremony, and is characterized by novel shapes and patterns. It can be classified into various types depending on the glaze and technique, including the copper-green glazed So-Oribe and Ao-Oribe, as well as Aka-Oribe, Kuro-Oribe, Yahichida-Oribe, and Narumi-Oribe.
Mino ware
- Generic term
A general term for ceramics fired in the Tono region of Gifu Prefecture. A wide variety of types exist, with four major representative styles – Ki-Seto, Seto-guro, Shino, and Oribe – together called Mino-Momoyama ware. As time went on, the production of finer porcelain also flourished. Even today, Gifu Prefecture is still the largest producer of ceramics in Japan, producing about half of the country’s ceramics.

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Kokuko-de Ki-Seto Tea Bowl

Ki-Seto Tea Bowl

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