Manufactory
Teshima Toen
About the object: Teshima Toen's very small, mustard-colored plate impresses with its clear shape in combination with its extraordinary color and structure. The plate has a diameter of 9.5 cm and is 1 cm high. It was made from wild clay that Emi Matsubara and Ryohei Matsushita, the owners of the Teshima Toen ceramics workshop, dug up on their home island in Japan's Seto Inland Sea. The glaze consists of minerals, shell powder and ashes from plants that grow on the island.
Manufacturing process: The manufacturing process is based on the zero-waste concept. The process starts with the collection of the clay, which Emi and Ryohei dig up with shovels and buckets on the island's coast. The wild clay, in quantities of around 300 kg, is dried, pulverized and mixed with water to turn it into clay suitable for ceramic production. Most of the objects are created on the electric wheel. The glazes are created by combining a wide variety of materials that the two find on their island. For example, the roots, branches and leaves of chilies are harvested, burnt and the ash is mixed with water and filtered. This ash extract is enriched with powdered shells from the beach and other minerals from the island to create the final glaze. Very special. The glazed ceramics are then fired in an electric kiln at 1220°C.
Please note: this product is part of our "Japan Affairs" exhibition and will not be shipped until mid-June after purchase.
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Teshima Toen is a ceramics workshop on the island of Teshima, which is remotely located in Japan's Seto Inland Sea. The owners are Emi Matsubara and Ryohei Matsushita. The two met at the Kyoto Ceramic Art School and moved to Teshima in 2020 to produce utility ceramics close to nature. Initially, they had material sent from the mainland to the small island with only 17 inhabitants (as of April 2025). Gradually, they began to look for the material they needed for their ceramic production on the island itself.
Today, Emi Matsubara and Ryohei Matsushita produce ceramics from clay they collect themselves from the island. They also make their own glazes from shells, minerals from the island and the ashes of some of the plants that grow there, such as sunflowers or chili. This elaborate process produces beautiful plates, mugs and bowls. All truly unique pieces. Avoiding waste ("zero waste life") is a great motivation for the two artists and their contribution to protecting nature. The electric kiln for firing the ceramics is also powered by self-generated renewable energy. We think this approach is great and worth supporting!
If you would like to know more about Emi and Ryohei, you can watch the following documentary on YouTube: Pottery Island - Zero Waste Life
