``UTSUWA KIRYO'' started as a journey around food and pottery.
The first Utsuwa Tabi is Karatsu ware from Saga Prefecture, which is said to be made by 80% of makers and 20% of users.
We traveled to the town of Karatsu to meet five writers.
This time we will be introducing Mr. Sakurei Okamoto's "Sakurei Kiln."
"Sakureigama"
"Sakureyama" is located in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture.
Admiring the beautiful name and rich expression of this mountain,
Mr. Sakurei Okamoto of ``Sakureigama'' is the artist's name and the name of the kiln.
For more than 30 years, he has set up a workshop on the side of this mountain, and has continued to create pottery with a focus on Karatsu's unique climate. Mr. Okamoto says that he started from scratch. During his 11 years of training, and even after becoming independent, he has fought tirelessly alongside other potters of his generation with the desire to create works that even slightly exceed the customer's expectations.
``I used to think that if you keep creating and outputting your work every day, then when you get older, it will be stripped away and only the core will remain, but I guess you have to keep studying all your life.''
Hobbies, work, and pottery.
He continues to pursue his potential with an uncompromising, insatiable spirit of inquiry and boundless passion.
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Sakurei Okamoto
Sakurai Okamoto
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Born in 1958 in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture
1979 Trained at Karatsu ware pottery
1989 Built a kiln halfway up Mt. Sakurei in Karatsu City.
