Miyazaki
Takumi

Miyazaki Takumi was born in Tokyo in 1983. After finishing high school, he studied pottery at the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramists’ Technical Institute. He then spent six years apprenticing under the renowned potter Kawai Toru¹. In 2010, he became independent and established his own studio in the mountains of Nagano, sharing the space with his father, whose work had influenced him since childhood.

The kerokuro, or kick wheel, is a traditional potter’s wheel powered by the movement of the potter’s feet. This physical connection between body and tool infuses the work with a sense of rhythm and life. The natural variations in speed and the swift, fluid motion of throwing give the forms a quiet energy and a feeling of spontaneity. For Miyazaki, the kerokuro offers greater control, allowing him to intuitively adjust the pace with his feet as he shapes the clay.

Reaching Miyazaki’s workshop requires a journey through the quiet countryside of Nagano. One drives past rice paddies, then up a narrow, unpaved road that winds into the remote mountains and deep into the forest. His studio, Yamajou, takes its name from the old house in which it is built. The word means “mountain top,” and true to its name, the workshop sits in seclusion at an elevation of 1,200 meters, surrounded by trees and silence.

Miyazaki reflects deeply on what it means to be a locally rooted artist and is committed to using materials sourced from his surroundings. Some of his pieces are made with red clay from Takato in Nagano, which he digs and refines by hand. Depending on the piece, he also works with other types of clay, such as the white clay of Seto in Aichi.

Over the years, Miyazaki has designed and hand-carved a wide variety of drape molds in different sizes and patterns.

Miyazaki’s process is firmly grounded in traditional Japanese techniques. He fires his pieces in a wood-fired kiln that he built himself, which gives his ceramics a distinctive texture and strength, reflecting the natural elements used in their creation. The kiln’s kamidana² is another clear symbol of his dedication to preserving Japanese traditions.

Miyazaki is known for his hands-on approach, personally cutting the wood he uses to fuel his kiln. His backyard provides a seemingly endless supply of trees, allowing him to replenish his firewood as needed. The forest consists mainly of Akamatsu (Japanese red pine) and Karamatsu (Japanese larch).

Miyazaki takes the same hands-on approach with his tools, crafting most of them himself. These range from metal trimming tools to wooden shaping implements and size gauges made from bamboo.

His pottery features Kurezu and Nuka glazes that he prepares himself. These glazes are mixed with ashes from burned pine wood, rice straw, and rice husks, adding natural textures and tones to his work.

His pieces highlight functionality and simplicity, blending traditional Japanese aesthetics with a contemporary approach to pottery. Miyazaki strives to create ceramics that are both visually appealing and durable, designed for everyday use. His work reflects a harmonious balance between artistry and practicality.