Award-winning potter Ito Sekisui V, one of 10 Japanese named "Living National Treasures" in July, brings modern aesthetic touches to his work while preserving the craftsmanship associated with Mumyoi ware.
Through skillful use of his original techniques, called "neriage" and "yohen," the 62-year-old ceramist has created Mumyoi ware with colorful floral, mosaic, striped and gradated patterns that often give the impression of painted pottery.
Mumyoi ware is made from special reddish brown clay extracted from gold mines on Sado Island.
"To create things is to bring forth what has never existed, something new and attractive. That's a creator's destiny," said the successor to the Sekisui-kama family kiln, whose real name is Yoichi Ito.