This interview was conducted by telephone in May of this year.

Trumpet-Like Flowers and More…

Hanada: We’d like to talk about several pieces you selected from those being exhibited in this show. First, this overglaze-painted fluted bowl. The shape itself already existed.

Izumi Nakamachi : I came up with a new pattern for it. I had wanted to paint flowers. Last year, when I went hiking in the local mountains during the summer, I saw lots of yellow flowers and thought they would make an interesting motif.
In spring and summer, there are so many yellow flowers, and orange ones too… Flowers that look like little trumpets, for example (laughs).

Hanada: It has quite a different feel from your earlier flower-field designs.

Izumi Nakamachi : I like the combination of yellow, green, and brown.
Adding the brown outlines helped bring the whole design together.

Hanada: This shape has also expanded into quite a few variations.

Izumi Nakamachi : This was the first fluted bowl shape I ever made.
While keeping the original as a base, I’ve remade the mold several times over the years.

Hanada: It’s also a very practical size and shape.

Izumi Nakamachi : I use it often myself.
I put yogurt and fruit in it for breakfast, and use it for simmered dishes at lunch or dinner.

Curry and Tomato-Based Dishes

Hanada: Next is the Suisaka-style piece.
You’ve been making more of these recently.

Izumi Nakamachi : I’d wanted to try this style for quite some time. At first, the glaze wouldn’t settle properly on the clay body, so I experimented with many different approaches before finally arriving at something I felt comfortable showing. This time, the motif is “flowers in a vase.”

Hanada: How do you use it yourself?

Izumi Nakamachi : Well, it’s brown on brown, but curry actually works surprisingly well with it. Tomato-based dishes looked good too. And, of course, simmered dishes. It turned out to pair well with just about anything.

On Composing Patterns

Hanada: Next is the Farm Pattern mug.
The decoration really catches the eye.

Izumi Nakamachi : As I continued adding flowers and birds to the sheep motif I had been painting for some time, it gradually took on the lively atmosphere of a farm. I thought it would be interesting as a repeating pattern, which led to this composition.
The pattern repeats in the sequence of an upright triangle, an inverted triangle, an upright triangle, and so on.

Hanada: And above the duck is…?

Izumi Nakamachi : A boat, and above that there’s a burning log.

Hanada: The way the triangles alternate upside down and right side up is quite interesting.　When composing decorative patterns for your tableware, what do you consider most important?

Izumi Nakamachi : I’ve always enjoyed drawing intricate illustrations and geometric repeating patterns.　But when you think about showcasing food, you also need some empty space in the design. Sometimes a simple accent motif is easier to use. That’s why I’ve been making more minimalist pieces lately, but every now and then I get the urge to fill a surface with detailed drawings again (laughs).

Hanada: I see (laughs). Do you use this mug yourself as well?

Izumi Nakamachi : Every morning, I drink café au lait from this mug. Then, before lunchtime, I switch to hojicha tea.

My Companion

Hanada: This is the small handled plate (Peacock), with its distinctive shape.

Izumi Nakamachi : That’s right. It’s quite unusual for me—I’ve been making this piece for more than ten years. Since I’m usually creating new work, very few older designs remain in production. Besides this handled plate, only the tiger plate has stayed with me this long. I think this handled plate was one of the pieces that introduced my work to many people.

Hanada: So for you, it is…?

Izumi Nakamachi : It’s like a companion that has grown alongside me. When I compare older versions with the ones I make today, I notice that the brushwork, scale, placement of motifs, and use of negative space have all gradually changed. It’s interesting because the shape and pattern are technically the same.

Hanada: What do you use it for?

Izumi Nakamachi : It feels most natural as a plate for sweets. I can also see photos on social media of people using it, and everyone finds such wonderful ways to incorporate it into their lives. That makes me genuinely happy. Actually, I also find it surprisingly useful as a small serving plate.

Enjoying the Process of Creating New Work

Hanada: A final message regarding the exhibition?

Izumi Nakamachi : These new works were created between last autumn and early spring of this year. I truly enjoyed the process of making them. I hope visitors will enjoy them as much as I did.

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