Kumiko & Michihiro Domoto

Kumiko and Michihiro Domoto live and work in the historic pottery region of Echizen in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. Their practice is shaped by the landscape that surrounds them. They combine local Echizen clays and raw foraged clay, grounding each piece in its place of origin.

Michihiro specialises in wheel-throwing and wood-firing. In 1997, he studied Bizen ware at Kibi Kogen Gakuen in Okayama Prefecture, before graduating from the Fukui Prefectural Industrial Technology Center in 1998. He built a wood-fired kiln in Echizen in 2001, establishing the technical foundation that continues to support their shared practice.

Kumiko studied visual design at Takarazuka University of the Arts, graduating in 1998, and later completed her studies at the Fukui Prefectural Industrial Technology Center in 2000. Within their collaborative practice, she applies refined Mishima (zōgan) inlay, a technique originating in Korea. Using a bamboo skewer, she carves delicate lines into the clay surface and fills them with white slip. Her carvings often features gentle illustrations of florals, fruits and natural motifs, alongside finely composed patterns across each form.

Together, the husband-and-wife duo create functional works including tableware, tea utensils and sake cups. Intended for daily use, their ceramics reflect a considered balance between form, surface and material, shaped by skill, patience and a shared commitment to their craft.