In the spring of 2024, a new Kiyomizu ware workshop , "nagusa," opened in a quiet residential area in Yamashina Ward, Kyoto City.
Miyuki Matoba was born in Okayama, studied painting, and completed her ceramics studies in Kyoto.
As I pursued my creative path, I came to the conclusion that making pottery was the way I could express myself.
The name of the studio , "nagusa," comes from "nameless grass." It expresses our desire to create pottery that will gently fit into your everyday life.
After training for many years at a pottery studio in Kyoto, Matoba-san finally established his own studio.
Brand new tools are lined up in an orderly fashion in the spacious space, and the hands turning the potter's wheel perform their work without hesitation.
Nagusa's pottery has a certain ethnic atmosphere. Its origins lie in the "Annamte" pottery, which has its roots in Vietnam.
Annante is a technique in which patterns are painted on pottery using cobalt blue or iron painting, and then finished with ash glaze.
- Annam blue and white ring flower sake cup (Vietnam, 15th century)
- Image credit: Colbase
It is a simple and unpretentious piece of pottery, where even the bleeding and unevenness of the painting are added to the flavor. The freedom of expression naturally overlaps with Mr. Matoba's style.
Having studied painting and design, Matoba does not simply copy masterpieces of Annan-te but instead incorporates his own creativity into them.
We elevate these pieces to create tableware that reflects modern sensibilities and has a freshness embedded within nostalgia.
Tableware that has been loved through the ages and used daily can eventually acquire value as a work of art.
Just like the nameless potters who have woven this history, Matoba continues to quietly work on his pottery today.
The tableware produced in the new workshop is sure to be loved by many people and become an integral part of their daily lives.
nagusa Miyuki Matoba Biography
Graduated from Onomichi City University, Department of Fine Arts in 2018
Graduated from Kyoto Prefectural Ceramic Technical College in 2020
After that, he trained at a pottery studio in Kyoto.
Independent in Yamashina-ku, Kyoto in 2024
