Hitoshi Morimoto^[16]

Introducing talented Japanese ceramicist Hitoshi Morimoto from Bizen, Japan.

Born in Bizen, one of the most famous pottery towns in Japan and to a family whose business is in Bizen pottery, Morimoto has clay in his blood.

Bizen is one of Japans oldest pottery making techniques, believing to have started in the 5th-6th century and having roots in ancient Sue ware. One of the characteristics of Bizen pottery is the local Inbe clay used which has a high iron content making it resistant to glaze and giving it its signature finish. 

Morimoto sources the clay himself and fires in “Noborigama”, a half buried climbing kiln which was built by his father half a century ago.

He does each step of the process himself which takes skill and time. His choice of material and technique connects him to his roots and keeps the traditions of his community alive. In many ways his pieces are imbued with personal and local traditions.

Although Morimoto has strong roots in Bizen, he believes that he has two roots in his process; Bizen and Mino.

After graduating from the sculpture department at Tokyo Zokei University in 1999, he studied Mino pottery in Gifu under Seiya Toyoba.

He moved back to Bizen in 2003 where he has been producing his handmade ceramics ever since.

The care and joy he brings to his pottery, he also brings to his everyday life. Waking early to pick a flower from the garden to put in a vase, watching shadows over the course of a day, enjoying tea as he observes the change of seasons or the sounds of nature.

He believes that the small moments of life which surround his practice, filter through him into his creations. In this way, the beauty and tenderness he brings to his days are equally a part of his art making as his actual pottery work.

We hope by viewing and holding his pieces you can feel the reflection of his personal narrative and connection to place and community.