An interview with artist Hanako Kusaka ahead of the upcoming joint exhibition, “Modern Iroe and Slipware: Hanako Kusaka × Yoji Yamada,” starting April 20, 2016. Her journey in creation began with an internship at Kutani Seiyo. At the heart of her work, there is always a deep desire to bring joy to others.

An Internship at Kutani Seiyo Marks the Beginning
Mr. Hata Said, “Why Not Try Painting Some Designs Too?”

Hanada: You are originally from Hokkaido, aren’t you?

Hanako Kusaka : Yes, from Sapporo.

Hanada: Did you first become interested in making things when you were a child?

Hanako Kusaka : I have loved art and crafts since elementary school. One time, my teacher took me to a sketching competition. To my surprise, I ended up winning an award. The subject was the Former Hokkaido Government Office, the red brick building. That was when I started thinking how much fun it was.

Hanada: So your talent for painting blossomed at the red brick building.

Hanako Kusaka : Well, I actually don’t think I am very good at painting. That is why I thought making things would suit me better than drawing, which led me into the world of crafts where I focused on using the pottery wheel.

Hanada: Yet here you are, painting every single day.

Hanako Kusaka : It really is funny how things turn out. I started painting on tableware because of my internship at Kutani Seiyo. Mr. Hata, who runs the studio, invited me to come and use the pottery wheel. After I finished throwing, he then said, “Why not try painting some designs too?”

Hanada: He certainly knew how to guide you.

Hanako Kusaka : That was my very first time painting on a clay body using a brush and gosu blue underglaze. When I showed the finished pieces to my friends, their reactions were completely different from what I had expected, in a great way. Up until then, I had only made plain white items, but I realized that painted designs have a special power to attract people. Seeing my work bring smiles to people’s faces made me think for the first time that this could be truly interesting. If it weren’t for that internship, I might be working exclusively with white porcelain today.

Hanada: How were your seven years at Kutani Seiyo? Did you enjoy them?

Hanako Kusaka : The first year was wonderful. After that, reality gradually set in. Still, looking back, I am incredibly grateful for my time there. It is rare to find a place that lets you think and create freely right from your first three months.

Hanada: That is true. Why did you choose to make tableware?

Hanako Kusaka : Initially, I was studying architecture. However, it felt a bit too large-scale for me, and not just in a physical sense. I simply felt it was more than I could handle. I think that was when I realized I wanted to create things that could fit right in the palms of my hands. That led me to crafts. When I tried the pottery wheel, everything clicked instantly. I knew this was it.

Hanada: It is wonderful that you found so much joy in the wheel.

Hanako Kusaka : Even now, I still prefer using the wheel over painting.

Hanada: The fact that you say you aren’t good at painting might actually be the secret to your unique style. It keeps your work from becoming overly technical or academic. Your designs feel so alive on the tableware and work beautifully as patterns. From the choice of motifs to the composition, including the use of negative space and how you stylize the forms, it is not something easily achieved. Yet, it never feels forced.

Hanako Kusaka : Perhaps it is because I have always preferred simple things.

Bringing Joy to Someone Through the Items I Create

Hanada: I see. Is there anything you hope for while making your items?

Hanako Kusaka : I make them hoping to bring joy to someone. It can be just one person close to me. Knowing that something I made adds a little richness to someone’s daily life makes it all worthwhile. For example, I created the olive pattern while thinking of a friend who was leaving a long-term job to embark on a new path. I wanted to wish them a fruitful future, and that is how the design was born.

Hanada: Do you have an ideal vision for your tableware?

Hanako Kusaka : There are antique pieces that still look so fresh you can hardly believe when they were made. I find that amazing, and I want to create things like that myself. Many things tend to look dated after ten or twenty years.

Hanada: Something that is old but doesn’t feel dated is ideal.

Hanako Kusaka : Exactly. Designs that remain timeless and can be appreciated by anyone, from young people to grandmothers, even as eras and generations change.

Hanada: Could you give an example of something like that?

Hanako Kusaka : The camellia-shaped small bowls by Kenzan Ogata that I saw at the Nezu Museum look fresh to me no matter how many times I see them.

Hanada: You want to experience that feeling yourself and share it with the people who use your work.

Hanako Kusaka : Yes, I think about that all the time.

Hanada: Setting high standards is wonderful. I hear there are people joining Kutani Seiyo now because they admire you.

Hanako Kusaka : Really? That is the first time I’ve heard that.

The Perfect Match of Shape and Pattern:
A New Pride and Joy, the Pretzel Plate

Hanada: This exhibition features a wonderful selection of new pieces. Which one is your personal favorite this time?

Hanako Kusaka : The pretzel-patterned plate!

Hanada: That piece really showcases your talent beautifully.

Hanako Kusaka : There are moments when everything just clicks perfectly for me, where a specific shape and pattern come together just right.

Hanada: Is the original mold from Japan? It has a quality that looks almost European.

Hanako Kusaka : I believe it was a Japanese one. It is actually a mold I made quite a long time ago. I kept it tucked away for a while because I couldn’t find a pattern that suited it.

Hanada: It has finally made its debut into the world.

Hanako Kusaka : I hope people will enjoy it.

Hanada: We are looking forward to the exhibition. Thank you so much for your time today.

Hanako Kusaka : Thank you very much.

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