Teshima Toen

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