Hello everyone, how are you doing?
Yesterday, the entirety of Western Japan saw heavy rain, and the Bizen region was suddenly transformed into a rainy-season landscape, complete with fog and downpours.
Despite the weather, I drove along National Route 374, which runs beside the Yoshii River, on my way to Taku Studio.
I had an order for a large plate, and when I asked Shusaku-sensei about it, he mentioned he had one in the "Ibe-de" style.
The studio is located in a place called Minamiyama-gata in the Wake district, and as I drove up the mountain, the fog was so thick I couldn't see the ground below.
On sunny days, you get a spectacular view of National Route 374 and the Yoshii River.
On this day, the fog turned everything pure white, looking much like a sea of clouds.
Passing people on their way home from the country club at the summit, I reached Taku Studio.
We briefly discussed the large plate before diving into a lively conversation about pottery, when my eyes were drawn to a calligraphy shikishi board hanging on the wall.
"Firing clay that will never return to the earth it once was."
Shusaku-sensei keeps these words in his heart as he dedicates himself to his pottery every day.
It is a truly wonderful sentiment.
I learned that these words were a gift to Shusaku-sensei’s father, Mamoru Taku-sensei, from a mentor who supported him greatly when he first became an independent artist.
I felt as if the father, Mamoru-sensei, who started his own pottery life in this very place, was now watching over his son, Shusaku-sensei.
Beside the board was a large pile of stacked pottery clay.
There was even more clay than what you see in the photo, and every bag was tagged with its collection site.
For Shusaku-sensei, who is a true "clay fanatic," these are undoubtedly one of his most irreplaceable treasures.
Looking at the words gifted by a mentor alongside that massive amount of clay, I strongly felt the connections between people.
As one faces the clay, that unrepeatable moment is reflected in the material and takes on form.
I was reminded once again that human relationships are also built by cherishing each and every passing moment.
This visit to Taku Studio—my umpteenth time—was once again a truly delightful experience.
I ended up staying longer than I intended, but by the time I left, the rain had eased up a little.