About Masakazu Yoshida / Yoshida Pottery
Masakazu Yoshida / yoshida pottery
From 2006 to the end of 2019, I worked at Asahiyaki, a tea pottery studio in Uji, for about 13 years and 9 months.
After becoming an independent potter in Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, I relocated my studio to Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture in October 2024. In this place connected by fate, my uncle's family home, I face my pottery every day.
After studying business and computers at university and working as a programmer at a manufacturer in Kyoto, I transitioned to the world of pottery at the age of 30. My experience working on airport system development in Singapore, and the fact that my former colleagues still visit my studio, fuels my passion for creation.
Utsukushiki -Beautiful Vessels-
The theme of my work is "beautiful vessels."
While beauty is perceived differently by each person, I believe that the feeling of "being pleasant to look at" is something many can share. Within that, I pursue the warmth and beauty unique to handmade craftsmanship.
When I showed customers vessels I had thinned on an electric potter's wheel and vessels I had made by hand-building, I received comments like, "I prefer the handmade feel of the hand-built pieces." Those words became a constant reminder to consider what I want to create and what people will appreciate.
I believe that a vessel only becomes "beautiful" when balance, rhythm, weight, and texture come together as one.
About Color — Shabby Chic Series
When I first became independent, I intentionally omitted colors and started with just two: white and black. This was because I was drawn to the beautiful shadows of black-and-white photography and the presence of form itself.
Later, after the COVID-19 pandemic, I moved on to the next step. I began to want to create colors that possessed the expressions born from melting glazes, unique to ceramics. Combining raw materials much like cooking, I created calm hues that suit an antique aesthetic.
My wife, Yoko, and I brainstormed names from the color palette, and "Shabby Chic" was born. We discuss and decide on the designs, names, and prices together.
For the Everyday Table
My greatest wish is for my pieces to appear in daily life, somewhere, every day, if they are cherished.
For example, "Yukikuruma" (snow ring) is based on a snowflake motif, but in Japan, it's also a design used to evoke coolness in summer. Regardless of the season, it can be used for everything from hamburgers, fried foods, and simmered dishes to wine, coffee, and desserts. They are even used in restaurants in Greece and Sweden.
These are vessels that can be used casually every day, as they are dishwasher and microwave safe.
Masakazu YOSHIDA
Profile
<Pottery Artist>
Oct.2019 – :
Started independent production based in Ashiya / former Miyazukacho residence.
based on Ashiya / former Miyazukacho residence, production will start
1973:
Born in Kyoto, Japan
– – – – –
<Business Experience>
Apr.2006 – Nov.2019:
Asahi Pottery
Pottery Class Lecturer, Craftsman
・Lecture in Japanese and English to more than 1000 customers a year
・production in the studio
・Software management
Apr.1997 – Mar.2004:
Murata Systems Ltd.
Database Engineer
・Database Management and programming experience
・Computer skills: Database / Oracle, Cachê, DSM and Programming / C, VB, Java
・Web Design and Management
・Experience in directing a project team
・Work experience in around the Japan and Singapore
<Education>
Apr.2004 – Mar.2006:
Ceramics, Traditional Arts Super College Of Kyoto
Apr.1996 – Mar.1997:
Marketing and Information, University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences
<Licenses and Certifications>
1996:
Class II Information Technology Engineer ExaminationSkills
Fluent in Japanese, English for business
