YOSHIMITSU ISHIHARA
Yoshimitsu Ishihara is a ceramicist who considers and pays respect to the traditional Japanese methodologies while using his own innovative techniques and modes of expression. With a background in sculpture, Ishihara orefers to form his pieces free hand. His unique works are colored by his use of rice hull, either burned or powdered.
Ishihara forms his pieces free hand with local clay dug from the surrounding region. His carbonized works are buried amongst burnt rice hull prior to firing. This ancient process colors his pieces in a palette of blackened earth tones.
Ishihara's rust works contrast with his carbonized pieces. Their surfaces are overed with powdered burnt rice hull and clay paste prior to firing. The rice hull is left intact during firing and afterwards Ishihara scrapes the hull and clay paste off to reveal mnarkings on the one-of-a-kind surface. Due to the duration of his process, which culminates in a more than 40 hours firing, these astonishing vessels are created only twice year - in spring and fall.