TORU HATTA

Toru Hatta is an internationally renowned ceramicist currently living and working in Osaka, Japan. He graduated from the Architecture and Environmental department of Osaka Sangyo University in 2000 and from then, has been exploring the possibilities of clay and participating in exhibitions in Japan. He works close to the sea, where he recently built a house and studio. His wood-fired kiln is situated in the same location where the earliest kiln technology was introduced to Japan, 1500 years ago.

Hatta creates numerous types of UTSUWA, a form of vessel or container, all of which are fired many times in a wood-fired kiln, once a month. Hatta has produced an impressive, one-of-a-kind body of functional works with a bespoke, original white and black makeup and non-glaze UTSUWA. His notable works were made using the decorative inlay slip technique Mishima, which originated in Korea. Evoking all five senses, his breath-taking works are reminiscent of natural scenes and made for every day, household use. His highly regarded ceramics resonate with the hearts of modern people with a love for a unique eating and drinking experience, as his ideas centre around the taste of clay. Acknowledged for their ease of use, Hatta’s timeless pieces are made in traditional wood-fired kilns, one of the oldest and most primitive.