Professor Akita Sumire is a promising young ceramic artist who creates works that utilize her own unique sensibilities while inheriting the traditions of Karatsu ware.

Training and independence, the challenge of wood-fired kilns

Attracted by the wood-fired kilns of Karatsu ware, she trained under Professor Masahiro Takehana for three years before going independent. She continues to make pottery in Karatsu under the name "nemunoha." While honing her skills under Professor Takehana, Akita's works also display her unique feminine sensibility and gentle line drawings. Her high sense is particularly evident in her painted Karatsu and white porcelain works, which captivate viewers.

Akita's works are characterized by the beauty of their shapes and the diversity of their designs, which have been achieved by overcoming the difficulties of firing in a wood-fired kiln. His white porcelain works in particular are a perfect blend of modern sensibility and the traditions of Karatsu ware. These works are highly popular among women and are loved by a wide range of people, even among the lineup we carry in our store.

Connection with us

His first encounter with Karatsu was when he had just graduated from university. At the time, he had not yet decided where he would train, and he eagerly looked around at the works of various Karatsu potters and artists . He also visited our store and looked at various works. He even worked temporarily as a staff member at our store, and was impressed by his unwavering goal of " creating works in a wood-fired kiln." Even before he began training, he had a sincere personality and strong will.

After much training, Mr. Akita's work exceeded our expectations. The delicate and gentle lines of Ekaratsu and the white porcelain works created based on the teachings of his master, Mr. Takehana, match modern sensibilities and are popular with female customers.

The appeal and spread of collaboration

At the "Karatsu Sake Brewery Summit" event organized by the Gofukumachi Shopping Street in Karatsu, where the owner Sakamoto serves as chairman, 200 sake cups made in collaboration with Akita Sensei were prepared and were very well received. They were well-shaped and allowed people to enjoy various types of Karatsu paintings. They are currently on sale in stores for 4,400 yen.

In another concert, 50 plates that were specially commissioned from Akita Sumire were used. The program included a piece called "The Four Seasons of Japan" by Japanese composer Nakata Yoshinao, and Akita was inspired by the piece to paint "pictures of the four seasons" on the plates. The fact that Akita checked the program himself and came up with a design that matched its contents shows the flexible imagination and sensibility that is unique to Akita.

We plan to continue to commission new works from Akita-sensei. The reason is that we are confident that Akita-sensei's skills and sense will continue to improve. Please come to our shop to see Akita-sensei's works and experience their appeal for yourself.