Mr. Hoshino has been working in Haibara of Nihonbashi area for more than half a century. He joined the company as a part timer at the age of 19 years old. During his apprenticeship, Mr. Hoshino worked under a manager called “Banto” who was very much older than him. Banto was rather stern but he did bring him out to have fun after work, recalled Mr. Hoshino fondly. His first job was as a delivery b...

The Ogawa brothers, Daizou and Kouzou, were born into a long historical lineage of potters. Their great-grandfather is none other than Konishi Toko – the famous first pottery producer in Bizen. As children, their playground was an old kiln site and a shrine made of Bizen ware. Subsequently, they went their separate ways. The older Mr. Daizou Ogawa took up an engineering job in Osaka but the younge...

Kokura-ori brand “KOKURA SHIMA SHIMA” is supported by two women. One is Ms. Hideko Watanabe who is the founder, the other is Ms. Mio Tsuiki who is the daughter of Hideko Watanabe. Ms. Hideko Watanabe loves music and used to be a jazz pianist. She was influenced by her elder sister Ms. Noriko Tsuiki who is a textile artist of Kokura-ori. Ms. Hideko Watanabe established “KOKURA SHIMA SHIMA” in 2007....

In an area rich in nature which is known for producing Ureshino tea, Mr. Hisahiro Soejima and Mrs. Michiko Soejima have been producing pottery for a long time. Both of them said in unison with a smile “We have never used a PC before”. This harmonious couple was responsible in developing “Soekyu GOSU” which consists of 5 different shades of blue. They took the opportunity to join “Arita Revitalizat...

Focusing on the glaze intently, he dips the porcelain into it with a constant rhythm. There is a youthful vigor to his posture. Mr. Irohara is from Kochi Prefecture. He was attracted to the charm of porcelain, which is intertwined with our daily living and it prompted him to knock on the door of “Tajimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center – Gifu Prefecture” with the aspiration to practice Kog...

“Artisan – Beyond Craft” is an exhibition that offers a comprehensive view of the Japanese craft industry. Born of “KOGEI STANDARD”, a website created by HULS, this exhibition will showcase craft items and photographs curated from the website. The main feature of our very first exhibition held in Singapore will be the collaboration between Singapore designers and Japanese craft manufac...