Soft Hues for the Much-Anticipated Spring
Lately, my body has grown accustomed to the cold, and when I go outside, my heart leaps at the clear winter sky, leaving me feeling refreshed.
For a bright and cheerful dining experience, I often find myself reaching for vividly colored tableware.
Perhaps the warm sunlight filtering through the window makes me want to get a head start on spring.
Kudo Kou's works, crafted at Minami-gama, perfectly match this current mood.
Their lovely and beautiful gradations are a joy to behold, radiating a gentle glow as if they were alive and moving.
The color contrasts not only enhance the appeal of the food but also the vibrant natural hues uplift the spirit.
I believe the cheerfulness felt the moment you touch these vessels is a direct reflection of Kou's bright energy and exquisite skill, imbued in each piece.
Minami-gama
Minami-gama has been in business for about 60 years. It is located in Dachi-cho, a town nestled in the lush green mountains of eastern Toki City, Gifu Prefecture.
It is a studio that handcrafts each piece of tableware with traditional decorations such as Oribe, Shino, Kohiki, Akae, and Annan-style Gosu-e.
Rather than a personal studio of a potter, it can be easily described as a "handmade pottery manufacturer."
They emphasize forming shapes unique to hand-throwing, rather than mass-produced wheel-throwing using plaster molds.
Minami-gama's predecessor was "Komatsu Toen," an Akae (red overglaze enamel) painting studio.
It began when Kudo Rikuo, the current craftsman Kou Kudo's father, who ran a fish shop while aspiring to be a Western painter, started painting.
Eventually, it expanded beyond Akae painting, and Minami-gama was born when they began producing tableware.
Later, in 1989, Kou entered this world. After some time, they abolished the mass production methods using casting and machinery that were employed in Minami-gama's early days,
and transitioned to the current style of finishing everything by hand.
Tableware that Adorns like Flowers
The series I cherish consists of individual works by Kudo Kou.
It is said that they came into being when Minami-gama developed a blue glaze that they had not previously worked with, and then expanded the color palette and experimented with layering glazes.
Crafted with the desire for "each piece to have a distinct expression," every vessel possesses a unique personality.
Within their pale and gentle gradations lies a powerful and dignified beauty, and choosing one fills me with excitement.
These uplifting and delightful pieces are like flowers adorning the dining table.
They often appear during short breaks, personal time, or breakfast.
For a Moment
During this season, I long for warm drinks that soothe both body and soul.
My favorite yunomi (teacup) has a beautiful shape and a generous capacity.
The slightly flared rim provides excellent stability when held.
The moist texture unique to pottery feels comfortable in the hand, and the handle-less design allows me to cup it, directly conveying the warmth of the drink.
Additionally, the 5-inch plate is perfect for small baked goods, a side dish, or as an individual serving plate.
It's easy to use for serving single portions of food and is versatile for various purposes.
On a Hectic Morning
On the 7-inch plate, I placed a croissant sandwich.
While a carefully prepared Japanese breakfast is lovely, on busy days, a croissant sandwich that can be eaten quickly and satisfies the heart is a reliable choice.
For other ingredients too, whether arranged boldly or with a little space, simply placing them on the plate brings a refreshing color and a smooth, soft texture that accompanies any morning and provides vitality.
A Pleasant View
Kou's works come in a rich variety of colors and shapes, making it hard not to reach for them.
Perhaps it's the warmth of the earth that draws me in during these cold days.
Tableware is something I want to choose according to my mood that day.
And it is precisely because I choose from many types that my affection for them deepens.
Why not enjoy a heartwarming encounter through Kou's tableware and bring the softness of spring to your table, enhancing its vibrancy?
