“The Beauty Within: Japanese Ceramics and Forms II” will be published.

“Utsuwa Shoken KAMAKURA,” a book planned and edited by Shoken Tomoo, the representative of KAMAKURA, is scheduled to be published on January 13, 2024. Published by ADP Co., Ltd., this book is the second installment of the series “Utsuwa Katachi II Utsukushii Utsuwa” (Shape of Utensils II Beautiful Utensils), following the success of “Utsuwa Katachi” that garnered readers’ support, especially in Europe, since its release in 2016. This second volume features the works of 17 pottery artists, created over a period of three years or more. The utensils crafted in earnest through the interaction with soil during the dedicated pottery-making process carry the maker’s spirit, presenting a tangible resonance with the heart.

Delving beyond the surface, the book introduces a collection of charming utensils that encapsulate emotions, sentiments, and profound beauty. Accompanied by dramatic photographs captured by photographer Yusuke Nishibe, the book showcases approximately 90 utensils created by contemporary artists such as bowls, plates, tea utensils, sake decanters, and jars. The design of the book is global, presented in both Japanese and English. The interviews, titled “Voice of the Ceramic Artist,” convey the beauty of the utensils enveloped in human hands through the words of the creators themselves.

Featured artists include Ryo Aoki, Shingo Arakawa, Kenta Anzai, Ryuji Iwasaki, Atsushi Ogata, Shouhei Ono, Teppei Ono, Ryuhiko Kawai, Yoshio Kangawa, Tetsuya Kobayashi, Chizuko Sakai, Aki Tamaya, Fumihiro Tamura, Toru Hatta, Tatsuaki Murakami, and Yuriko Mori.

The book also includes interviews with some of the featured artists: Shingo Arakawa, Kenta Anzai, Ryuji Iwasaki, Atsushi Ogata, Shouhei Ono, Teppei Ono, Ryuhiko Kawai, Tetsuya Kobayashi, Fumihiro Tamura, Aki Tamaya, Toru Hatta, and Yuriko Mori.

About the author:
Tomoo Shoken is a gallerist, editor, curator, and the representative of Utsuwa Shoken KAMAKURA. Based in Kamakura, he organizes themed exhibitions of utensils that convey the beauty of eating tools. In recent years, he has been involved in numerous international exhibitions, not only in Japan but also in cities such as New York, Paris, Toronto, Shanghai, Jingdezhen, and Taiwan. His written works include “Utsuwa Biyori” (“The Weather of Utensils”), “DVD Book Utsuwa-Bito Shouhei Ono” (“Utsuwa Person Shouhei Ono”), “Hibi no Utsuwa” (“Everyday Utensils”), “Utsuwa wo Aisuru” (“Loving Utensils”) by Kawade Shobo Shinsha, and “Utsuwa to Ichinichi” (“Utensils and a Day”) by Minato no Hito. In the field of planning and editing, he has worked on projects such as “LIVE KI to Ryori” (“LIVE Utensils and Cooking”), “TEPPEI ONO” (Seigensha), “Ryo Aoki,” and the collection of works by Takatoshi Kuronuma, “Kyoukai boundary” (ADP).

The book, titled “Utsuwa Katachi II Utsukushii Utsuwa JAPANESE CERAMICS AND FORMS THE BEAUTY WITHIN,” will be priced at 3,500 yen (excluding tax) and is set to be released on January 13, 2024. It consists of 160 pages, with full-color illustrations of the artworks. The size of the book is 273mm x 215mm, and it is bound in a regular binding with a jacket. The text is presented in both Japanese and English, and the book has the ISBN code 978-4-903348-69-8 C0072.