Many dishes, such as Hyssop and GOOD NATURE STATION 's restaurants and cafes, use Kiyomizu ware produced at the atelier and Shop Tokinoha in Yamashina, Kyoto. How do you create a work that is simple but has a strong presence? We asked the owner of Tokinoha and ceramic artist Daisuke Shimizu about his thoughts behind the scenes and Shimizu ware.

Kiyomizu ware represents the times

GOOD NATURE STATION can see the simple and simple tastes of various places in the hotel, such as " Hyssop " on the 4th floor and the tea utensils provided in the hotel rooms. These are all works by Daisuke Shimizu of Shimizu Ware.

Shimizu's work is also known for producing synergies with cooking. Requests from professional cooks were not interrupted, and we launched a custom-made specialty brand called “moto-siro”. Shimizu-san's synonymous with the attitude of serving dishes on the prototype vessel and taking care of fine-tuning while incorporating the opinions of the orderer and other people around him.

Shimizu: “Whether woodwork or glass, this one line shouldn't be without this picture ... When I was thinking about that, there were quite a few friends who pointed out the same thing, and as I exchanged opinions, I began to focus on making dishes that make simple use of dishes. "

The tradition of Shimizu ware is also involved. In the first place, Shimizu ware has a rough definition, but there is no fixed soil and no type. It is a rare production center that has built its position in styles that meet the needs of enthusiasts, using pottery clay selected from all over the country.

Shimizu: “Shimizu ware is a pottery that represents the times. With the spirit of creating something from here, I search for soil from all over the country and bake the best products. I also think that the spirituality is Shimizu ware. The technique may be important, but it's important for the next 100 years.If there is something better than the present while maintaining the tradition, it is better to abandon the past and adopt a zero basis I think it's a true way. "

Mr. Shimizu recalls that having an atelier and Shop called "Tokinoha" is a big factor in reflecting the user's thoughts on the vessel in this way.

Shimizu: "The people who come to the creator's exhibition are interested in the work, but there are also people who don't know me at all in the atelier. Some people return without picking up.The creator is much more painful to respond than criticism, and after a number of times they come to think, "What's different?" I feel my self-answers helped me grow faster. ''

Fascinated by the fun of manufacturing

Shimizu was immersed in soccer until high school. After graduation, Kyoto will go on to Prefectural University Department of Environmental Design. But was there no opposition to the great-grandson of the fifth generation Shimizu Rokubei, who has been a masterpiece of Shimizu ware since the mid-Edo period, going on a path other than pottery?

Shimizu: "My father was born in a pottery clan, Kyoto, so he was never told to take over. Rather, about learning architecture. My mother and I raised our hands and agreed, but as I Products design at university, I once again felt that my father was doing interesting things. On the other hand, architecture is actually. It turned out that there were many restrictions and there were few parts that I could do whatever I wanted. So, after graduating from university, Kyoto Prefectural Ceramics College of Technology. He studied under the potter Yuichi Inokai. He spent his days studying to become a writer.

Shimizu: "But looking back, it may have been around the time when the lifestyle of a potter writer began to enter into a difficult era. Chasing his back so hard, but the view ahead might be different from what you are seeing right now. To be clear, you don't even know if you can eat with ceramics. But I feel like I'm wondering if I want to create a traditional handicraft or if that's the place I want to go. ''

In 2011, he opened Tokinoha with his wife Tomoe. Tomoe, a classmate at a vocational school, is mainly in charge of painting at Tokinoha.

Shimizu: "My wife graduated from the Kojida Art and Crafts High School in Kyoto and entered a design course at a pottery technical college, where he studied painting, and after completing his career, worked as a painting craftsman. He returned to a pottery school to learn, and then went to a glaze research facility.After marriage, he rented a house in Kitayama Omiya and made pottery with two people, while doing pottery for life. The classroom was also open. By the way, “Tokinoha” was inspired by the name of Shichiku Nishi-Momono Honmachi, which is interesting because there are two colors, purple and peach. And my name was “Tokinoha Tobo.” When I moved to the Shimizu warehouse, my wife pushed my back hesitating in many ways. ”

Sustainable in ceramics

Currently, Shimizu is working with three younger craftsmen in his studio in the studio.

About four years ago, Shimizu, who had been working hard, started working on a project with GOOD NATURE STATION. He touches on the concept of “GOOD NATURE” and says that he gradually became aware of sustainable and ethical consumption.

Shimizu: "Once the soil is baked, it will not return to its original state. If you don't like it, it will become an industrial waste, so we have to be responsible and make things. I will not deny the act of throwing away unsatisfied things in order to protect it, but if possible I would prefer a society that does not do it. ''

From that perspective, we started selling outlet products in the atelier.

Shimizu: "Sometimes I have a question about selling B-class outlets in the sense of preserving my creativity. But I'm more willing to not increase trash. But in a time when we don't buy things we don't need, I understand that it's something that is needed if there are people who give us money. ''

In 2018, we held Tokinoha Ethical Marche as a project related to the Shimizu-yaki no Sato Festival. Customers can drink and eat food and drinks from the restaurant they opened in Shimizu ware. This is a unique event that does not require disposable plastic containers and gives you a real sense of the genuine pottery.

Shimizu: "I started to think about ethical after I started dating with GOOD NATURE STATION. In 2019, 3,000 people attended, but a small group like us can handle it The scale is too big to fit, so we have plans to move to GOOD NATURE STATION and hold it. ''

In addition, imagination is expanding, such as the idea of holding an Activity in collaboration with GOOD NATURE STATION.

Shimizu: "For example, I'm thinking of a program to take guests to the atelier and have them try a savory bakery that can be baked in a short period of time. I guess it would be interesting if you could eat with meals. ''

Mr. Shimizu constantly seeks brush-ups and always takes on the challenge of new things. Among them, he says that he does not forget that vessels are a snack for life.

Shimizu: "After all, you have to use the container and feel the attachment. There is nothing more and nothing less. If you do not fear misunderstanding, the shrine is earthen. Of course, it would be disgusting to be treated, but I don't think it's something that can be worshiped too much. ''

GOOD NATURE STATION and GOOD NATURE HOTEL KYOTO, you can meet Mr. Shimizu's vessels in various situations. Please enjoy Mr. Shimizu's feelings while tasting food and drinks.

Daisuke Shimizu (Kiyomizu, Daisuke)

Born in 1980 as the eldest son of Hisashi Son Shimizu, the fifth generation of Shimizu Rokubei. 2001 Graduated from Kyoto Prefectural University, Department of Environmental Design, and moved to Kyoto Prefectural Pottery Technical College. After that, he studied under ceramic artist Yuichi Inokai. In 2011, he launched an atelier and Shop “Tokinoha” with a workshop in the Shimizu ware complex in Yamashina Ward. As a creator, he handles design, potter's wheel, glaze and so on.