Takeshita Shikamaru uses Mashiko clay to create his own yakishime pottery. Not because of his bravery, but because he calls his own yakishime "Nanban."
It's hard to say where it came from, but it has a distinctly local flavor. Nanban is an amalgam of the Japanese and the stateless, indigenous yet seemingly from somewhere far away. It clearly presents another possibility for Mashiko, something both barbaric and refined.
The 6-day firing in a wood-fired kiln and burying the pieces in embers three times is a time-consuming process, and the type of firewood, timing, and amount used determine the profound kiln changes that occur. Such meticulous control results in the creation of Yakishime, a work that allows you to directly experience the power of the fire god.
Born in Mashiko Town in 1977
1996 Graduated from Tochigi Prefectural Mogi High School
1998 Graduated from Tochigi Prefectural Ceramics Training Center
2000: Construction of a pit kiln
2002: Won the Special Jury Award at the 4th Mashiko Ceramic Art Exhibition
