Colorado, USA From KazuOba

At the age of 18, Kazu Oba moved to the United States alone, knowing very little about the country. Today, he is based in Colorado and actively works all over the world. He has held a solo exhibition at Hanada every year since 2015. With his vibrant and cheerful personality, he has charmed many customers in Japan. Here, Kazu introduces us to the area around Denver, Colorado.

The Beautiful Nature of Colorado

When you think of Colorado, the Rocky Mountains probably come to mind. The highest section of the Rocky Mountains, which stretch 5,000 kilometers from Canada to New Mexico, is located in Colorado and is known as the Colorado Rockies. There are over 700 peaks higher than Mount Fuji, and Boulder has recently become famous as a location for high-altitude sports training.

Rocky Mountain National Park, home to Sprague Lake shown in the top photo, is located within the Rocky Mountains in northern Colorado and spans an area of 107,000 hectares. It was designated as a national park in 1915. Sprague Lake is not deep in the wilderness; it is about a one-and-a-half to two-hour drive from my home. Because it is so easy to access, I often take guests from out of state or abroad there.

The lake is small enough that you can walk around it in one or two hours, and many people enjoy casual hiking there. If you are lucky, you might encounter wild animals such as deer. In summer, the trees and mountains are reflected on the water’s surface, creating a beautiful view right before your eyes. In winter, the lake freezes over, making it a place where you can walk or slide on the ice.

Pleasant even in Summer! Colorado’s Climate

Colorado has a continental, semi-arid climate with four distinct seasons. The maximum annual temperature is only slightly lower than in Tokyo, but because it is located inland on a high plateau, it is not uncommon for the temperature difference between day and night to exceed 15 degrees Celsius. With little rain and low humidity, it remains comfortable even during the hot summer months, which I really like. I hang my laundry in the basement, and even heavy jeans dry completely in half a day. On the other hand, if you leave bread out, it turns as hard as a rock by the next day! (laughs)

Today, while I was working on the pottery wheel, a squirrel showed up in the yard. I am currently drying my clay pieces outside. If the squirrels come to play and run around, some of the pieces might end up with little footprints, or they might get knocked over and broken! (laughs)

Locally Rich Food and Lifestyle

This is the Boulder Farmers Market, which runs from spring to autumn. In addition to fresh produce, there are food stalls where dishes are cooked right on the spot. Some people enjoy lunch like a picnic, while others lie down and relax. It has such a wonderful, laid-back atmosphere.

Local producers and shops set up booths, and we also go there to buy our vegetables. Buying directly from the growers brings a sense of reassurance, and the market is always bustling with people. Some visitors even come from the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains, opposite Denver. It is wonderful to get fresh, organic, and newly harvested vegetables. While Colorado is often thought of as an arid region, wine grapes are grown around the irrigated Colorado River area, and there are even local wineries. Fruit cultivation is also very active, with melons and peaches lining the stalls.

I look forward to making a salad with the fresh vegetables I bought, and enjoying it with cheese and bread.

The Charming World of Kazu Oba

Kazu Oba is a bundle of adventurous spirit and energy. Here is a video showing Kazu hard at work creating his pieces in Colorado.
* This video was filmed in 2016 and has been re-edited.

▼ Click here for Kazu Oba’s tableware collection ▼