This year, the Saemu Imu Exhibition will be presented as a special, two-part event held in October and December. With his latest work newly arrived at Hanada, we spoke with Saemu Imu over the phone. We hope you enjoy this warm conversation, just as if you were chatting with him at the gallery.

Hanada: We are already past mid-October, and autumn is fully in the air. While the autumn foliage in Tokyo is still a little way off, how have you been spending your time lately?

Saemu Imu : I have been doing very well. How is everyone at Hanada? It has been a while since we last met, and I miss you all. The mornings and evenings have started to feel quite chilly now.

Hanada: Looking at the sets of items you sent us this time—such as rice bowls, medium plates, and medium bowls—we noticed many everyday pieces that are perfect for the family table.

Saemu Imu : I always work in order, starting from smaller pieces and moving on to larger ones. Once I have made a complete run, my process is to look at what I should add or what might be missing, and then make those. My ideas and images for patterns usually come from daily life—like noticing a flower blooming along my walking path, or looking at clouds in a clear sky and imagining what they resemble.

Double-Handled Soup Bowls

Hanada: These double-handled soup bowls are absolutely perfect for the coming season. Having hot soup from this bowl in the morning feels like it would give you a wonderful start to the day. The charming handles are lovely, and the gently flared, flower-like rim is beautifully shaped without any distortion during firing.

Saemu Imu : Thank you, I am very happy to hear that. These are actually quite difficult to make. During firing, the handles tend to pull the clay, causing the shape to warp or turn oval. I prepared a large number of them in advance, but quite a few still did not make it. However, taking on a difficult creative challenge brings the joy of problem-solving. I made them while imagining, “Will this method work better?” and “Will our customers enjoy this shape?”

Hanada: We were also delighted by how beautifully they stack, even with the handles. The size is ideal for hearty soups with plenty of ingredients, showcasing your exceptional practical design. We imagine your wife’s feedback might have played a part here as well.

Saemu Imu : Yes, indeed. I always show my work to my wife, and whenever I make something new, we try using it ourselves. You have to know how your creations perform in real life. I thought handled bowls might be a bit inconvenient to store if they could not stack, so I made sure they stack beautifully. While they are perfect for soup, they can also be used as small serving bowls to make any dish look delightful.

Footed Plates

Hanada: These spark our imagination, thinking how wonderful they would look when used for individual servings. The vibrant blue glaze pools in the repeated pattern along the rim, truly capturing the eye. This beautiful contrast seems to make the overall piece even more elegant.

Saemu Imu : Having a bit of height gives a piece a special feel. The repeating pattern along the rim is created by pressing a handmade plaster stamp. It creates a different, playful rhythm compared to hand-painted or carved designs. That said, I wanted the stamped pattern to be subtle and balanced—just enough to make you wonder, “Is that a stamp?”—so I kept the impression relatively light (laughs).

Hanada: The shape of these footed plates is incredibly appealing. The wide rim flares upward like a blooming flower, yet it stays perfectly upright without drooping during the firing process. It is amazing how they maintain such a beautiful, balanced posture when viewed from the side, where one might expect the clay to sag.

Saemu Imu : Because they are fired at high temperatures, managing the balance between the clay and the glaze requires a lot of care. A footed plate has to have a perfect overall balance, and I find it challenging every single time.

Hanada: They are truly exquisite. When sitting across from someone at a table, you cannot see it on your own plate, but the blue on the foot of the other person’s plate gently catches your eye from a distance. It is absolutely captivating.

Saemu Imu : (Laughs) Thank you very much.

Pitchers (Large and Small)

Hanada: You have made these pitchers in both large and small sizes. Standing together, each one has its own distinct personality and is incredibly charming. The small one seems perfect for maple syrup on a family breakfast table, while the larger one would be wonderful for ponzu sauce during hot pot season. We know you love coffee—though we recall you drink it black—do you have any particular uses in mind for them, perhaps as milk pitchers?

Saemu Imu : Pitchers require a lot of effort, but I enjoy how adding a handle gives movement and character to their small presence. Beyond using them for milk, they are lovely on the table with just one or two small flowers. The contrast between the blue of the underglaze and the fresh greenery is very refreshing.

Hanada: Branches with red berries would also look lovely in them during autumn and winter. We recall hearing that you grow various plants in your garden. It sounds wonderful to pick flowers from your garden to decorate the table. The small flowers must stand out beautifully against the gentle blue tones.

A Message for the Exhibition

Hanada: Along with your long-time fans of over twenty years, we have seen a growing number of younger customers in their twenties and thirties who are drawn to your work and wish to use it in their homes. So many people are eagerly looking forward to seeing your beautiful blue pieces.

Saemu Imu : I am deeply grateful for that. The preparation for an exhibition takes several months, and as soon as the pieces are finished, my wife packs them up for shipping. Because of this, I never get to see them all together at the end. I get so absorbed in making them that when I see the exhibition, I often find myself thinking, “Ah, I made that one too!” (laughs). I am looking forward to viewing the exhibition on your website this time.

Hanada: Thank you so much. We will be sharing a video walkthrough of the preview at our Kudan shop, so please do take a look. Knowing that you are looking forward to it will certainly inspire us as we create the video!