The story of SOBAKO began with a meeting with ”Kama-Hachi san" in Yamanashi Prefecture more then 5years ago. We call him Kama-Hachi san, but that's actually the name of his pottery studio. Located in a mountain village about a three-hour drive from Tokyo, this pottery studio, surrounded by nature, is where Mutsumi Ohashi (whom we’ll refer to as Mutsumi-san) works earnestly with clay and fire to create pottery pieces.
Mutsumi-san, who has been advised by his wife to cut back on his beloved alcohol for health reasons, occasionally shares such stories with us. This time, he spoke about the journey of clay as it transforms in shape through kneading and firing. He shared the intricacies of selecting clay, adjusting blends, and exploring firing methods, taking us deep into the world of pottery.
The Art of Selecting and Blending Clay
"Look at this cross-section of clay. This side has more granules, while this side has fewer. Clay with fewer granules is easier to work with, but it's a bit weaker under high heat. So, to enhance its strength, I mix in some sand or other types of clay," Mutsumi-san explained, pointing to a chunk of clay in front of him.
The clay used in pottery isn't just dug up from the ground and used as-is. Through repeated kneading, the hardness of the clay is adjusted, and air is removed to create the ideal state for crafting.
“If there’s air trapped inside, the piece will crack during firing. So, I knead and knead the clay until all the air is gone. This process is usually repeated about 300 times,” he added.
This is just the preparation stage. Next comes the shaping of bowls and plates.
The Appeal of Hand-Turning and Electric Potter's Wheels
“People often see potters using electric wheels on TV, but I actually prefer working with a hand-turned wheel,” Mutsumi-san shared with a smile.While electric wheels are suitable for efficiently producing identical shapes in large quantities, hand-turned wheels allow the artist’s touch and feel to be directly expressed.
“The hand-turned wheel requires more time and effort, but I love slowly shaping the clay while feeling its texture,” he explained.
The Magical Colors Created by Clay and Fire
“Interestingly, some of the pottery sold in Egyptian souvenir shops is actually made from clay imported from Japan,” he added with a laugh.
He went on to explain that the type of glaze, its application, and the firing method can also change the color and finish of the piece. “Glazes give a glossy finish, and even a simple white can take on shades of gray or yellow depending on the glaze used. Unglazed pieces absorb liquids more easily, but I hope people enjoy that natural variation too,” he said, his eyes lighting up as he shared his passion for the depth and complexity of glazing.