Exhibition: Kasama Potters Project

Around 60 miles from Tokyo, the city of Kasama is home to a flourishing community of potters, both established and up-and-coming. Unlike many of Japan’s well-known pottery regions, Kasama has relatively few long-established ceramic-making traditions or techniques. Its post-war identity is instead founded on attracting individual ceramicists, creating a community that is characterised by a keen sense of self-expression and individual choice. Recognising this, Kasama was recently awarded a Monocle Design Award for ‘Best in Craft’.

The Kasama Potters project brings together 34 Japanese ceramicists from Kasama. The project’s aim is to promote and showcase the work of this unique pottery region, with its numerous ceramic styles. The quality and strength of Kasama’s clay fosters a close connection between the potter and the region. When producing works, Kasama’s potters have the freedom to follow and express their own aesthetic values. This freedom of expression is an important aspect of selecting forms, techniques and glaze motifs.

London Craft Week marks the largest showcase of Kasama ware outside Japan to date, and includes brand new ceramics. During the past year, the 34 Kasama potters have enjoyed a discourse with British ceramic specialists. While the new ceramics are a reflection of this, they still embody Japanese techniques, styles, and enthusiasm. Through the works of each Kasama potter and a relaxed evening of talks, visitors have an opportunity to discover the history of Kasama ware and the region’s myriad ceramic techniques.