Takuro Shibata Ceramics

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Takuro Shibata Ceramics Studio Potter and Director at Starworks Ceramics, trained in Shigaraki, Japan. Based in NC, USA. Member of the IAC/AIC. Author of 'Wild Clay' #柴田拓郎

10/12/2026

We had the pleasure of visiting Mr. Michio Sugiyama .sugiyama at Shigaraki Share Studio .share.studio and were amazed by how much the studio has grown since our last visit in 2019. It was exciting to explore the fantastic new gallery, kitchen, dining and event spaces, new kilns, and so many other additions. Mr. Sugiyama also shared several of his consulting projects that bring ceramic professionals together, and it was truly inspiring to learn about his work and vision for the ceramic community.

We also enjoyed lunch at Uosen, our favorite Japanese restaurant in Shigaraki. Chef Hayashida never ceases to amaze us with the beautiful presentation of delicious dishes served on pottery made by local Shigaraki potters. Every dish was a delight, and we thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful meal.

10/11/2026

We were warmly welcomed by Kazuya Furutani .kazuya , who kindly invited us to visit his studio in Shigaraki. His showroom was breathtakingly beautiful, and not only were his works deeply inspiring, but the building itself held a great story, having been built by his father, the renowned ceramic artist and Anagama master, Michio Furutani.

Kazuya then took us through his studio and showed us his two anagama kilns, generously sharing his ideas, reflections on his practice, and the challenges he encounters as an artist.

We left feeling deeply inspired and grateful for this memorable visit. Our heartfelt thanks to Kazuya and his wife for their warmth, generosity, and wonderful hospitality.

During our visit to Shigaraki, our long-time friends, Hiroyuki Yamada Hiroyuki Yamada　山田浩之 and his wife, Ayako やまだあやこ Ay...
10/09/2026

During our visit to Shigaraki, our long-time friends, Hiroyuki Yamada Hiroyuki Yamada　山田浩之 and his wife, Ayako やまだあやこ Ayako Yamada , generously hosted us at their home for three days. On our first evening there, they organized a wonderful BBQ dinner with several mutual friends. A heartfelt thank-you to the Sako family 迫能弘 , the Shinohara family Nozomu希Shinohara篠原 てまひまうつわ , Darren Damonte damontei , and Miwa-san for coming to meet us. Seeing Sako-san and Damonte-san again after more than 25 years made the reunion truly memorable as we caught up on lost time. Reminiscing brought back fond memories of our younger days—making pots, sharing stories, eating, drinking, and firing kilns together.

We deeply cherish this lasting friendship in Shigaraki and savored every moment of our time there. As an added bonus, we got to walk through the rice fields with Mr. Yamada’s adorable dog, Mr. Kotetsu.

10/06/2026

We had the great pleasure of visiting Mr. Hiroaki Takahata at his studio in Tarao, Shigaraki. By chance, he was firing his anagama kiln that day, and we were incredibly lucky to witness the firing.

His family has lived in Tarao area for generations. The house, studio, kura (traditional storehouse), garden, and everything around them carry a deep sense of history. Mr. Takahata’s pottery feels completely at home within the buildings, landscape, and rhythms of daily life. We felt very fortunate to experience this special place.

Mr. Takahata is also the director of the Shigaraki Ceramic Research Institute. When Hitomi was a research assistant there, Mr. Takahata and Mr. Nakajima, a glaze specialist, were her supervisors. They gave us a tour of the institute which was newly built a couple of years ago, showed us their extensive collection of glaze test tiles, and shared fascinating stories behind them. It was especially meaningful to visit again.

We also had the opportunity to visit Hayasida Iron Works, a pottery equipment company in Shigaraki, and meet Mr. Hayasida again. They showed us their pottery collection, including a beautiful tea bowl by Shiro Tsujimura, and demonstrated how the weathered granite found in Shigaraki can be crushed easily and used—showing how deeply the local geology is connected to the region’s ceramic tradition. They have recently begun supplying Shigaraki wild clay to the local potters’ community.

We are grateful for the generosity, stories, and connections that made these visits so special. Shigaraki continues to remind us how deeply ceramics can be connected to land, people, and generations of knowledge.

eramicresearchinstitute #林田鉄工

Visiting En Iwamura at his impressive studio in Shigaraki. Iwamura ENWe’ve met En at several NCECA conferences in the US...
10/04/2026

Visiting En Iwamura at his impressive studio in Shigaraki. Iwamura EN

We’ve met En at several NCECA conferences in the US, and after he returned to Japan, we had always wanted to visit his new studio in Shigaraki. We finally had the chance to see his beautiful studio and learn about his exciting clay projects.

Thank you, En, for taking the time to show us around your studio and share your life in Shigaraki with us.

It’s been 21 years since we left Shigaraki, one of Japan’s oldest pottery villages, and it feels as though fresh breezes are flowing through this small pottery town, bringing new ideas, energy, and innovation.

09/25/2026

We feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit Harumi Nakajima (中島晴美)and Katsuko Nakajima (中島克子), two extraordinary ceramic artists we had long dreamed of meeting in person.

Their home is a beautiful traditional Japanese house, thoughtfully transformed into intimate gallery spaces and showrooms. It was truly inspiring to see their earlier and more recent works displayed together in one place, offering such a wonderful glimpse into their artistic journeys.

Harumi is the head of Ishoken, which we had the opportunity to visit just before visiting their home. It made the experience even more meaningful to see the place and then meet the artist behind it.

A truly memorable visit, and one we will cherish.

#中島晴美　 #中島克子　

Address

甲賀市信楽町長野1140-1
Seagrove, NC
529-1851

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