Watashigaraki

In 2000, Wada Morihiro, one of the most celebrated clay artists of his generation, was invited to participate in the artist residency program at Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park. During his stay, he set out to create thin-walled vessels intended for firing in a single-chamber tunnel kiln (anagama). One of the main challenges of this endeavor was to produce large-scale forms that could withstand the intense conditions of wood firing. Wada constructed his jagged works using a combination of hand-building and mold-casting techniques. The resulting vessels, with their warm hues of reddish brown and ocher and their richly textured surfaces, exemplify the distinctive qualities of Shigaraki ware. Their irregularity showcases the expressive range of the firing techniques involved, as some areas have been heavily marked by the kiln while others remain unaltered. The playful title Watashigaraki conveys the meaning “my own Shigaraki,” but it also echoes the Japanese phrase for “I am lucky.”