The Beginnings of Making Tableware

Hanada: How did you come to start making tableware as your profession?

Ikumi Matsumoto : Initially, I was aiming to become a sculptural artist and spent seven years under Asuka Tsuboi. One day, I happened to make some tableware and showed it to her. I realized that people would actually use these items, and it made me feel a close connection to the users. It was a kind of joy I couldn’t get from making sculpture. For a while, I worked on both sculpture and tableware side by side, but now I focus solely on tableware.

Hanada: How did you end up apprenticing under Asuka Tsuboi?

Ikumi Matsumoto : When I was attending a training school in Kyoto, there was an opportunity to work part-time at her studio.

Hanada: Did she accept you right away?

Ikumi Matsumoto : She is in her 80s now, but when I first visited her, we spoke for three hours. As we talked, I felt a strong sense of compatibility. We spoke about ordinary topics—daily life, family structure, ceramics—but with every conversation, the doubts and uncertainties I was facing back then became remarkably clear. I was amazed. After three hours, she simply said, “All right.”

Hanada: That was wonderful. Weren’t those seven years highly enjoyable?

Ikumi Matsumoto : She was a strict teacher, so there were difficult times, but it was incredibly educational. Throughout those seven years, she kept telling me, “Whatever you do, don’t limit yourself to a small scope.” I tend to overthink things and stop in my tracks over a single worry. She would say, “It is most important to have a much broader perspective and do various things—both in human relationships and in making things—just the way you like, so do it while having fun.” Her words still resonate with me today.

Continuing to Make Tableware

Hanada: For you, what is the difference between tableware and sculpture?

Ikumi Matsumoto : Tableware heavily involves the aspect of “use.” For me, sculpture was for myself. I had daily thoughts and ideas that I wanted to preserve throughout my life, and I think I chose sculpture as a means of expression to shape them.

Hanada: Do you feel you are achieving that through tableware now?

Ikumi Matsumoto : Yes, I do now. With sculpture, if the artist asserts, “This is what it looks like,” the viewers largely look at it within that setting. Tableware is different. You cannot make it without standing from the perspective of the person receiving it. The more I make tableware, the more difficult it becomes, but I feel an even greater sense of enjoyment from it.

Bringing a “Joyful Feeling” to the Dining Table

Hanada: What do you value most right now when making tableware?

Ikumi Matsumoto : There are items from many different artists out there, but among all those various pieces on a dining table, I hope my tableware can add a “joyful feeling.”

Hanada: Your tableware production seems to have really gotten on track and appears to be going smoothly.

Ikumi Matsumoto : In terms of “making things that people use,” the past few years have truly been a great learning experience for me.

Fascinated by Cizhou Ware

Hanada: Can you see your path forward now?

Ikumi Matsumoto : I have always liked ancient Chinese ceramics, so I want to continue making that kind of work.

Hanada: You mentioned before that you like pieces from the Song dynasty.

Ikumi Matsumoto : I have loved Cizhou ware ever since I saw it at The Museum of Oriental Ceramics about ten years ago. I am drawn to that clear, sharp contrast of black and white, and the exoticism of the patterns. I would like to express those charms in my own modern style. The strength of that sgraffito touch is wonderful.

Hanada: What kind of arrangements go into the “Ikumi Matsumoto Version of Cizhou Ware”?

Ikumi Matsumoto : While choosing motifs that I like, I want to incorporate other colors rather than just black and white. Also, look right here. Can you see how it is slightly bluish? I researched this on my own and created a slip that creates yo-hen (kiln transformations) effects. I want to bring out irregularities to make it look like shadows.

Hanada: Is there anything you are thinking about for the future?

Ikumi Matsumoto : I easily find myself wanting to try all sorts of things. No matter what I make, I want to keep a firm core within myself so that my own worldview always comes through.

Hand-Painted Plates

Hanada: Let’s talk about the pieces you made for the exhibition. These were modeled after antique pieces.

Ikumi Matsumoto : I made them in large and small sizes. This project gave me the chance to develop a brown slip, and it was a lot of fun to make.

Hanada: It feels as though the antiques have been revived in a way that is uniquely yours.

Ikumi Matsumoto : Out of the pieces you brought over, this was my favorite. The blue line works effectively here, and the purplish area is wonderful. I can apply this to my next work as well.

Hanada: I am delighted to hear that.

Café au Lait in a Bajo cup

Hanada: How about this Bajo cup (high-stemmed cup)?

Ikumi Matsumoto : This is a larger version of a Bajo cup. Previously, when I made a standard-sized one, a customer told me, “I want to drink café au lait from this,” which inspired me to create it.

Hanada: Café au lait in a Bajo cup. That sounds refreshing.

Ikumi Matsumoto : I hope it makes tea and coffee times more enjoyable.

Demitasse Cups

Hanada: These demitasse cups are lovely too.

Ikumi Matsumoto : I wanted to make mini cups, so I shaped them using old French milk pitchers as inspiration. The painted designs are based on Delft tiles.

Hanada: Are dogs the only characters that appear? (Laughs)

Ikumi Matsumoto : No, I plan to feature a variety of designs, including ducks and other animals.

Rabbit with a Violin

Hanada: This one features a rabbit playing a violin.

Ikumi Matsumoto : This is a piece I truly want people to use and enjoy. I aimed for something that evokes a story, with animals running around or wearing clothes.

Hanada: Thank you very much. Good luck with the exhibition.

Ikumi Matsumoto : I am a bit nervous (laughs), but I hope many people will come to see my work. Thank you.