Kashiwa Craft: Shaped by Hand, Guided by Nature

Just outside Nagoya in central Japan lies Seto, a city whose influence on ceramics runs so deep that setomono — “things from Seto” — became the Japanese word for pottery itself. Known as one of the Six Ancient Kilns, Seto has passed down Japan’s ceramic traditions from medieval times to the present day, its kilns turning out everything from tea ceremony vessels to everyday wares, blending tradition with quiet reinvention. It was here, in 1965, that Kashiwa Craft was founded. Today, the family-run workshop is in the hands of Miyuki and Hisato Iwatsuki, who tell us how Seto’s legacy, the natural world, and a pursuit of warmth and comfort continue to shape their craft.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Kashiwa Craft founder HIsayuki, and his family, in Japan.

How did you both first come to Kashiwa Craft, and what keeps the work close to your heart?

Hisato Iwatsuki: As the son of the founder, Hisayuki, I grew up surrounded by Kashiwa Craft’s works from a very young age. Since childhood, I enjoyed using my hands, carving soap for fun, which naturally connected to my path in this craft.

Miyuki Iwatsuki: Upon marrying into the family, I decided to take part in this work. I studied for a year in the design department of a ceramics school before beginning my own practice. Both of us grew up in Seto. We feel that being immersed in this environment made it only natural for us to follow this path.

The uncertainty of the result is one of the most exciting aspects of the process.

Seto has been at the heart of Japanese ceramics for over a millennium. How does working there continue to shape your craft?

In Seto, not only can we find high-quality clay, but also pigments and raw materials for glazes, plaster mold makers, tool suppliers, small box and carton manufacturers, and even abundant well water, all within the city. The location of our workshop itself is significant, as it is situated in the nature-rich Hora district. Being surrounded by the song of bush warblers and small animals is truly a blessing. This closeness to nature nurtures our creativity and provides great inspiration for our pieces.

Original pieces crafted by Hisayuki in Seto Japan.

Japanese pottery is often described as reflecting not just function, but a way of living. What values guide your approach?

One of our core values is bringing elements of plants and animals into daily life to create a welcoming space. We also place importance on creating works that are not rigid or mechanical, but instead carry the gentle irregularities of a freehand line and the subtle fluctuations of clay and fire. Within this imperfection, warmth and tranquility emerge, and we hope that anyone who holds our pieces will feel even a small sense of comfort in their everyday life.

For us, it is not merely the result of technical skill, but a special creation that symbolizes the founding spirit, the collaboration with peers, and the original desire to create objects with warmth.

Your series range from whimsical animal motifs to flower vases and heritage pieces. How do they take shape, and what ties them together?

Our collections were deeply influenced by the cultural context when Hisayuki moved to Seto to pursue his career as a ceramic artist [in the 1960s]. Around that period, the Sweden Exhibition was being held in Japan, while the Forms of Japan Exhibition was taking place in Sweden, creating a vibrant exchange of design between the two countries. Rather than following the trend for pure white porcelain, Hisayuki aspired to create works with greater warmth. He began his activities together with fellow members of “Seto no Craftsmen,” and that spirit became the very origin of Kashiwa Craft’s current series.

The plant relief vase is especially intricate. Could you tell us more about it?

Hisato Iwatsuki: The vase was created when my father was still an aspiring ceramic artist. At that time, a young designer living nearby suggested, “Why don’t we try making something together?” The relief patterns were designed to harmonize with the clay and glaze atmosphere my father developed, and together they brought the work to life. This vase is completed through three firings — two bisque firings and one final. By carefully repeating these steps, the piece achieves a finish with remarkable delicacy and depth. For us, it is not merely the result of technical skill, but a special creation that symbolizes the founding spirit, the collaboration with peers, and the original desire to create objects with warmth.

Featuring Kashiwa Craft's signature plant relief carvings.

Miyuki, as the one guiding each piece through its final expression, how do painting and decoration bring them to life?

Kashiwa’s glazes change dramatically in color depending on the density of the pigments. The uncertainty of the result is one of the most exciting aspects of the process. When painting new pieces, I make sure to apply pigments in a way that adds depth even to the unglazed parts of the surface, so that the piece gains richness and dimension. For me personally, this finishing stage feels like “the last breath” that guides a piece to completion. It is the moment when the true identity of Kashiwa Craft takes shape.