Hello everyone! Welcome to this special feature on our New Factory Project!
In today’s piece, we’re thrilled to spotlight a rising ceramic artist, Shota Miyashita, who is actively involved in our New Factory Project. His innovative approach to Mino-yaki (Mino Ware) strikes a balance between quality and efficiency in ceramic art, propelling his creativity and embodying the essence of a modern ceramic artist.
Mr. Miyashita is renowned for his groundbreaking glazes, developed through independent research, and his adept use of various techniques. He’s also engaged in collaborative efforts across different industries. In this interview, we delve into his philosophy towards the industry, the challenges he has encountered, and his vision to elevate Mino-yaki onto the global stage.
About our New Factory Project, you may also want to read
A sudden encounter with ceramics
Mr. Miyashita is based in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture, the heart of Mino-yaki production. Interestingly, he comes from an unconventional background as a former beautician who worked in the bustling district of Omotesando which was an entirely different environment back then. One day, by chance, he tried his hand at pottery, and it profoundly moved him. As a child, Miyashita struggled with not having a clear dream for the future. Experiencing such a strong pull for the first time, he couldn’t resist the urge to move to Toki City, Gifu, and apprenticed himself to a master potter. It was truly a leap into the world of ceramics with nothing but himself.
Journey as a Mino-yaki Artist
Upon moving to Toki City, Mr. Miyashita immediately went around town asking, “Please tell me about the difficult things that are going to happen.” This proactive approach was based on the idea that understanding past experiences and anticipating upcoming challenges would allow him to devise strategies to overcome them.
His fellow ceramic artists advised him that “ceramic artists hit a wall in about five years.”
They shared insights such as:
“It’s hard to make a living on ceramic, and there are many people who give up because they can’t sell their works”
“If your work sells well, you’ll be overwhelmed with orders, won’t have time to create new pieces, and eventually, your body will suffer from the hard work.”
To avoid such pitfalls, Mr. Miyashita experimented with a “team system.” He assigned specialists to each step, utilized machinery where possible, and concentrated only on the aspects he needed to handle. This approach allowed him to challenge various techniques, grow as an artist, and prevent the burnout commonly faced by ceramic artists. As Mr. Miyashita marks five years in the world of ceramics, he continues his unique challenges, consistently generating new initiatives without encountering the anticipated wall.
Efforts to raise the value of Mino-yaki
Mr. Miyashita’s uniqueness is evident not only in his artistic creations but also in his endeavors as a Mino-yaki ceramic artist. Many artists of Mino-yaki focus primarily on creating ideal works and, according to reports, there are few instances of venturing into new value creation beyond existing frameworks, such as collaborations with different industries. However, with his unconventional transition from a hairstylist, Mr. Miyashita brings a distinctive perspective, expressing a desire to tackle what “an outsider like me can think of.” He actively incorporates various initiatives with flexibility.
“HINOMIYA” is a new Mino-yaki creation undertaken by Mr. Miyashita to elevate the value of Mino-yaki through the power of design. Mino-yaki, being a traditional craft with a rich history, inherently holds significant value. However, due to mass production for low margins, it has fallen into a situation of price competition, leading to a “cheap and low-quality” perception. HINOMIYA was created to overcome this current situation. By involving individual artists in the design process, it becomes a unique piece, allowing a reappreciation of the value of Mino-yaki. On the other hand, Mino-yaki possesses mass production techniques not available to individual artists. HINOMIYA addresses both challenges, presenting a new form of Mino-yaki. Collaborations like these with artists can be attributed to Mr. Miyashita’s unique approach.
Currently, Mr. Miyashita is advancing in the creation of artworks following HINOMIYA. The new G-E-N series combines the sensibilities of an artist crafting unique pieces with the technology of mass production. Aimed at creating a world where Mino-yaki becomes high-value ceramics determined by the artist, Mr. Miyashita will continue to explore various activities in the future.
To impart charm not achievable through mass production, each piece is individually sprayed with gold.
2024: Expanding into China, showcasing in Dubai and France.
Mr. Miyashita is now looking towards international horizons. Last year, as a representative artist of a visiting delegation promoting Mino-yaki, he officially visited China. As a result of this visit, a store was established in one of the landmark buildings in Shanghai, and he is currently busy preparing for it. The decisive factor for expanding into the enormous Chinese market was the ability to create “beautiful pieces representing Japan and, at the same time, in a certain quantity.” Reflecting on this Shanghai expansion, Mr. Miyashita expresses, “I’m trying my best, hoping that entering the Chinese market will become a success story for my way of doing things. Moreover, if my works and initiatives inspire someone to venture into the pottery world, I would be more than happy.” He also shares plans for exhibitions in Dubai and France this year. Through Mr. Miyashita’s continued challenges and his artworks, Mino-yaki is expanding into new horizons.
If you’d like to learn more about Mr. Miyashita, please visit the website here!
Collaboration with Crownjun
In collaborating with Mr. Miyashita, we found a kindred spirit whose values align closely with those of Crownjun. Just as Mr. Miyashita leverages mass production techniques, we too have embraced automation in our needle manufacturing processes. This transition honors the legacy of skilled workers who historically supported our production of numerous models in small quantities.
Much like Mr. Miyashita’s approach to innovation, Crownjun remains committed to keeping pace with the times. Our relentless pursuit of medical innovation drives us to continually push the boundaries of what’s possible. It’s through this dedication that we can continue to grow, progress, and ultimately contribute to our clients and the broader industry.
Together with Mr. Miyashita, we share a vision to showcase the beauty of “Made in Japan” craftsmanship to the world. By combining our efforts and expertise, we will demonstrate the timeless allure and quality of Japanese craftsmanship on a global scale.
If you’d like to learn more about our automation progress, please check here!
