Tsubo: Circles II

Kazunori Hamana
Tsubo: Circles II

Hamana began collecting tsubos – traditional Japanese vessels used by farmers to store and process crops – long before he would lend his own hand to the Japanese ceramic tradition. Something beyond their workaday purpose attracted Hamana, seeing in them human-like qualities as he began sculpting them at a local community centre.

“Their shapes are formed to contain something, in the same way humans contain something. But you cannot know what is inside from looking only outside.”

Working from his farm in Japan’s Shiga prefecture and using locally sourced clay with traditional techniques, Hamana references the functionality of Japanese ‘tsubo' vessels with his own distinctive mark-making methods. Counteracting ideas of perfection, he leaves his work outdoors, inviting the influence of the elements to develop a unique patina.

Each Tsubo is handcrafted and unique in shape, nature and patina.

Please email info@bluemountain.school to request further details.