Rugby “Bowl”

Hanada: I’d like to talk with you the new pieces being presented at this exhibition.
Let’s start with the Rugby Bowl.It’s a “bowl,” not a “ball.”

Haruya Abe: It’s slightly smaller than the antique piece I borrowed for reference.
It’s an oval with a graceful curve that rises toward the ends.

Hanada: It’s been finished with a light, refined touch. The rim design is also quite elaborate — you’ve made it so the glaze pools beautifully along the edge.

Haruya Abe: The original antique didn’t have that feature, but I wanted to add it as an accent.
For white, yellow porcelain, and celadon green, the pooled glaze gives a deeper color. For pale and deep lapis glazes, the tone reverses, which changes the overall impression of the piece — I find that interesting.

Hanada: Do you have any particular dishes in mind for it?

Haruya Abe: Having a large bowl like this at home gives a sense of comfort. You could fill it with salad and share it with everyone…
I imagined it as a centerpiece — a bowl you can place boldly in the middle of the table.

Yellow Porcelain Feels Ethnic

Hanada: Which color do you personally like best?

Haruya Abe: Personally, I like white. But I also think it would look great to serve something hearty and ethnic in the yellow porcelain — just pile it up casually.

Hanada: Ethnic-style dishes, right?

Haruya Abe: Yes, to me, yellow porcelain feels “ethnic.” (laughs)

Hanada: I see, that makes sense! (laughs)

Haruya Abe: Somehow, yellow porcelain just goes so well with curry, don’t you think?

Hanada: And now “rugby” finally makes an appearance in the name! I’ve been waiting for that — Sugadaira is in the same city, Ueda.

Haruya Abe: The shape already says it all.

Hanada: (laughs)

Haruya Abe: It doesn’t exist anymore, but there used to be a shop in Sugadaira that served “Rugger Ramen” in bowls shaped like halved rugby balls.
I remember it fondly.

Turning a Goryeo Celadon Bowl into a Plate

Hanada: This is the Chrysanthemum Rim Flower Plate.

Haruya Abe: I adapted a small Goryeo celadon bowl into a plate.

Hanada: Making it into a plate was a great idea.

Haruya Abe: It could have stayed as a small bowl, but thinking about how I eat at home, I wanted a plate for individual servings — so I adjusted the size and depth accordingly.

Hanada: The foot is solid too, giving it an elegant lift.

Haruya Abe: I imagined someone thinking, “It’s a good day — maybe I’ll plate some sashimi nicely today.” I’d love people to enjoy plating food with that kind of mood.

Hanada: Did you have a particular slope in mind for the rim?

Haruya Abe: At this angle, the food sits well and spreads gently — I wanted that kind of softness.

Octopus Arabesque in Relief

Hanada: This is the Oval Mini Plate with Octopus Arabesque design.
You’ve expressed a motif often seen in sometsuke (blue-and-white ware) through a relief design.

Haruya Abe: The octopus arabesque pattern has such visual impact, doesn’t it?

Hanada: It’s definitely not a subtle motif! (laughs)

Haruya Abe: Exactly. That’s why I thought it would be nice to have a small, palm-sized plate with a strong presence — something cute but eye-catching. Even a small piece can brighten up a dining table.

Hanada: Was there anything you paid special attention to when turning a painted pattern into a relief design?

Haruya Abe: Octopus arabesque patterns are usually intricate and classic. I wanted to reinterpret it in a more playful, pop way. Since the brush’s light touch doesn’t translate to carving, I focused on expressing the boldness that carving can bring.

Hanada: It looks versatile. You could use different colors for pickles and shallots when serving curry…

Haruya Abe: That’s a great idea. Even just for one umeboshi, or for chocolates at tea time, or dipping sauces for dim sum — it all works.

Hanada: Lovely.

Making Pudding Right in It

Hanada: Next, the pudding cup.

Haruya Abe: I took inspiration from a glass custard cup I was lent, but made it slightly larger.

Hanada: What kind of uses do you imagine for it?

Haruya Abe: At first, I pictured it for after-dinner coffee. But then I thought — it could be perfect for pudding too. You could pour the mixture straight in, steam it, and have puddings ready in different-colored cups — that sounds like fun!

Hanada: That sounds so fun — and would look adorable! You’ve applied the glaze differently on the handle, right?

Haruya Abe: The original glass piece had a pink body with a clear handle, which I found refreshing. I wanted to keep that image, but in a more relaxed way — not with a sharp separation.

Hanada: The handle feels very comfortable to hold.

Haruya Abe: In the past, I attached pre-made handles, but this time I shaped the handle after attaching it. That let me vary the thickness more naturally. By giving more volume toward the bottom, it’s easier for the fingers to grip.

Hanada: It feels very stable in the hand. And when lined up, they look so charming!

Haruya Abe: I think they’d even look cute just lined up in the cupboard. You’d want to choose one for the day.

Hanada: So this is what it would look like — all arranged like this in the cabinet…

Haruya Abe: Exactly like that.

Cradling the Dish

Hanada: This is the Relief Arabesque 6.5-inch Bowl.

Haruya Abe: The inner motif was inspired by old Imari ware.

Hanada: The fluted pattern gives it such openness and flow.

Haruya Abe: I wanted it to feel as if it’s gently embracing the food placed inside.

Hanada: This size looks quite versatile.

Haruya Abe: We use this size often at home — for example, as a serving bowl for hot pot, or even as a rice bowl for kids.

Hanada: I see — for hot pot servings.

Haruya Abe: Yes, we prefer larger bowls for that. It’s also nice for lightly pickled vegetables placed in the center, for everyone to share.

Hanada: Thank you very much. I look forward to the exhibition.

Haruya Abe: Likewise, thank you.