Teshima Toen, presentation plate, brick red, small | Japanese ceramics (TT07)

About the object: Teshima Toen's small, brick-red presentation plate impresses with its clear shape in combination with its unusual color. The plate has a diameter of 15.5 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 collecting 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.