Akira Koie
| Item | Plate |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tokoname, Aichi, Japan |
| Artist | Akira Koie |
| Dimensions | Ø14 x 3cm |
| Material | Clay |
| Colour | Dark grey |
Each piece is handmade and unique, therefore finish and dimensions may vary slightly
Born in the historic pottery town of Tokoname in 1978, Akira Koie's interest in ceramics was stoked after helping his father: renowned ceramic artist Ryoji Koie (1938-2020), build a wood-fired kiln – which he continues to use today.
Besides learning from his father, Akira Koie draws much inspiration from his fascination for ancient ceramics, which he first encountered while taking part in an excavation of medieval Tokoname kiln ruins. He has since constructed and restored numerous kilns across Japan and South Korea, where he also studied traditional techniques under a master potter.
Bringing the past to the present, Koie's rugged, utilitarian pieces are also naturally influenced by the materials he finds around his countryside studio to make his own clays and glazes. All this combined with the unpredictable beauty of wood-firing results in singular works of remarkable strength, warmth and organic vitality.
Pottery has been produced in the city of Tokoname, Aichi prefecture, as far back as the 12th century, and since 1976 has been protected as a Traditional Craft of Japan. Tokoname was the site of the largest and oldest of the legendary Rokkoyō (六古窯): the “Six Ancient Kilns” of Japan, and is celebrated for its iron-rich Shudei (朱泥) "red clay" that turns a bright red after firing. When fired a second time in a reduction oven, the red Shudei turns black – another characteristic colour of Tokoname-yaki.
