Who. 鳥越窯 小泉洋介 / Yosuke Koizumi, the owner of Torigoe Kiln
What. 越前焼（陶器） / Echizen Ware (Pottery)
Where. 福井県 / Fukui prefecture
福井県丹生郡（にゅうぐん）越前町にある越前焼窯元。越前焼陶芸家の小泉洋介さんは2004年、越前焼最古の窯跡（上長佐古窯跡）からほど近い場所に陶房を構えた。
Echizen Ware kiln in Echizen Town, Nyū District, Fukui Prefecture. Echizen Ware potter Yosuke Koizumi established his studio in 2004 near the site of the oldest Echizen Ware kiln ruins (the Kamichōsako kiln ruins).
のどかな自然に囲まれる夏の越前町。山を越えると雄大な日本海が広がる。冬は一面大雪に覆われる。厳しい自然の中の土で出来ている越前焼は、越前町の豊かな自然そのものと言える
Surrounded by tranquil nature, Echizen Town in summer. Beyond the mountains lies the vast expanse of the Sea of Japan. In winter, the land is blanketed in deep snow. Echizen ware, crafted from the very soil of this harsh natural environment, embodies the rich nature of Echizen Town itself.
越前の特徴である凛々しい茶褐色の土味を生かした作風は、古越前（1180年頃の誕生初期の越前焼）の歴史ある系譜を現代へと紡いでいる。越前焼はその焼かれ始めた時代からつぼ・かめ・すり鉢を主製品（当時の三種の神器的製品）とし、人々の生活の道具を作り続け、共にあった。作品を作る粘土は、小泉さん自らが、採取してきた原土などを精製、調合し使い分けている。厳しくも豊かな越前町の自然に囲まれた工房にて、先人たちの残してきた越前焼に通じながら、日々作陶に励んでいる。
The style that highlights the bold, tea-brown earthen tones characteristic of Echizen weaves the historic lineage of ancient Echizen Ware (Echizen Ware originating around 1180) into the present day. Since its inception, Echizen Ware has primarily produced jars, pots, and mortars (the three sacred vessels of the time), continuously crafting tools for daily life and remaining an integral part of it. The clay used for the works is refined, blended, and selected by Mr. Koizumi himself from raw materials he has personally collected. Surrounded by the harsh yet bountiful nature of Echizen Town, he works diligently in his studio, connecting with the Echizen Ware left by his predecessors while pursuing his daily pottery practice.
形成を終え、乾燥中の作品。この後窯に入る。丸3日間、基本的にはお一人(！)で夜通し火を焚き続けるとのこと。極限状態の中で焼き上げられる作品にはたくさんの面白みが詰まっている。
The piece has been shaped and is now drying. It will go into the kiln next. For three full days, Koizumi will essentially work alone(!), keeping the fire burning through the night. Works fired under these extreme conditions are packed with fascinating qualities.
経歴
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1976年 福井県敦賀市に生まれる
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2003年 福井県工業技術センター窯業指導所研修修了
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2004年 福井県丹生郡越前町小曾原に陶房を築く
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2009年 福井県陶芸館に学芸部門リーダーとして勤務
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越前焼の研究を始める
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2012年 穴窯を築く
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2016年 小型穴窯を築く
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2018年 日本陶磁協会奨励賞 北陸展 入選
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2020年 伊丹市立工芸センター”北陸のうつわ展
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ー19人の素材とかたちー”出品
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2022年 阪神梅田本店”新春を彩る小品展”出品
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日本工芸館壺屋ギャラリー”ことほぎを彩るうつわ 茶器・酒器・器展”出品
日本工芸会 石川支部 研究会員
Career
1976 Born in Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture
2003 Completed training at the Fukui Prefectural Industrial Technology Center Ceramics Guidance Office
2004 Established a pottery studio in Echizen Town, Nyū District, Fukui Prefecture
2009 Worked as a curatorial department leader at the Fukui Prefectural Ceramic Art Museum. Began research on Echizen ware
2012 Built a pit kiln
2016 Built a small pit kiln
2018 Selected for the Hokuriku Exhibition, Japan Ceramic Society Encouragement Award
2020 Exhibited at the Itami City Craft Center "Hokuriku Utensils Exhibition—19 Artists: Materials and Forms"
2022 Exhibited at “Small Works Exhibition to Color the New Year” at Hanshin Umeda Main Store. Exhibited at “Vessels to Color Celebrations: Tea Ware, Sake Ware, Tableware Exhibition” at Nippon Kogei-kan Tsuboya Gallery
Research Member, Ishikawa Branch, Japan Craft Association
夏の工房の様子。窓の外には豊かな自然が広がる。クーラーがないので夏の工房内は暑かった。
Summer scenes from the workshop. Outside the window, lush nature spreads out. Without air conditioning, the workshop was hot in summer.
鳥越窯の商品はこちら。
Products from Torigoe Kiln are available here.
⬜︎越前焼 / Echizen Ware
Originating in Echizen Town, Nyū District, Fukui Prefecture, in the Hokuriku region facing the Sea of Japan, Echizen Ware is one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns. With a history dating back to around 1180, it has been passed down amidst the healthy, natural environment of mountains and sea. One of Echizen Ware's charms is the earthy quality nurtured by the harsh nature of the Hokuriku region. These simple, rustic ceramics are durable, and their appearance evolves with use, allowing you to enjoy their changing character over time. During firing in the kiln, the effects of flames and ash create unique glaze colors and patterns, ensuring no two pieces are exactly alike. Each possesses its own distinct personality, holding a unique beauty within.