Discovering the Charm of Ceramics After Taking a Step Back
Aichi Prefecture is often associated with a vibrant pottery culture, highlighted by Tokoname and Seto ceramics. Mr. Takigami, born and raised in Aichi despite a few relocations within the prefecture, has a unique background as the child of two ceramic artists. At first glance, it might seem natural for him to pursue a career in ceramics, given his upbringing. However, during his student years, he had firmly decided, “I will not become a ceramic artist.”
"As a child, helping my parents with their work made me gradually dislike ceramics," he shared. "But I still loved creating things, so I studied design basics in high school and majored in graphic design at university. I had planned to build a career in the world of graphic design."
After graduating from university, he joined a printing company as a designer. However, he struggled with the gap between what he wanted to express and what was required of him as part of his job, eventually deciding to resign. Returning to his family home, he began reconnecting with his parents’ works. This experience helped him rediscover the unique appeal of ceramics, which stood in contrast to graphic design, primarily created for advertising purposes. It was then that he decided to return to his roots.
"With ceramics, the value lies in the piece itself, and it’s delivered directly to the customer," he explained. "I realized anew how fascinating that is. At the same time, I wanted to cherish a form of expression that only I could achieve, having experienced both ceramics and graphic design. That’s what inspired me to take on a new challenge with STUDIO.ZOK."
I wanted to respond to the love for plants.
Mr. Takigami wanted to "create items that seamlessly fit into various lifestyles." The first piece he created under the name STUDIO.ZOK was a ceramic picture frame. After that, he intentionally avoided making tableware, instead focusing on creating a diverse range of items, including single-flower vases, ring holders, accessories, and flowerpots, without limiting himself to any specific genre.
As introduced in the first part of the article, about two years after establishing his independent studio, Mr. Takigami began creating the "Tou-shoku" series—ceramic recreations of plants—thanks to encounters with planting artists and farmers. "I’ve always struggled with taking care of plants and often ended up letting them wither, which had been a long-standing concern of mine," he admitted. Through participating in plant-themed events, he realized that many people who were captivated by cacti shared similar struggles.
"No matter how much you love plants, once you’ve let one wither, it’s hard to reach for another. After all, they’re living things," Mr. Takigami shared. "I really empathized with that dilemma. As I reflected on what I could do, it suddenly struck me that the sculptural beauty of cacti and ceramics might be a perfect match. That’s when I immediately began prototyping."
Cacti are an endlessly fascinating plant, with over 2,000 known species. When it comes to recreating their shapes, one might imagine starting by observing the real thing up close. However, Mr. Takigami surprised me with his response: "I carefully observe the cacti at the farmers' facilities and rely on my memory and photos to bring them to life. If I try to grow them myself, I end up letting them wither..." He further explained that he doesn’t use molds but instead handcrafts each piece, skillfully shaping them with his fingers and various tools like spatulas.
Even if the piece survives the bisque firing stage, it sometimes cracks during the final firing, leaving Mr. Takigami standing in silence in front of the kiln, disheartened. To adapt to each work, he blends different types of clay, handling natural materials like earth and water while continually tackling the challenges of recreating living organisms. The difficulty of this craft is truly immeasurable.
"The larger the piece, the greater the difficulty, so when it’s successfully completed, I feel an even deeper sense of attachment, thinking, ‘You made it through...’" Mr. Takigami shared. "But above all, I’m happiest when someone appreciates what I’ve created. That’s why I put love and care into every piece before sending it off."
Crafting Creations That Blend Seamlessly into Daily Life and Urban Landscapes
It has been 10 years since Mr. Takigami began creating ceramic plants. Now, whenever he comes across an interesting shape in nature, not limited to cacti, he finds himself instinctively thinking, "How can I recreate this?" Until now, his work has primarily focused on pieces designed for households, driven by his desire to make ceramics more approachable and easy for people to incorporate into their daily lives.
"I’m very grateful that recently I’ve been receiving more requests for larger pieces," Mr. Takigami shared. "Personally, I’d like to create works that go beyond specific placements or themes—pieces that could be displayed in commercial facilities or hotels, where they can be seen by a wider audience. My goal is to craft creations that blend seamlessly into urban spaces and environments."
As we talked, Mr. Takigami effortlessly transformed a lump of clay into a cactus before my eyes. His gentle demeanor remained unchanged, but his expression seemed different—more focused—when working with the clay. Not only did we have the privilege of witnessing his masterful skills up close, but after the interview, he even treated us to homemade wood-fired pizza. For us, already fans of Mr. Takigami, it was a truly rewarding and memorable experience.
-PROFILE-
STUDIO.ZOK
A brand established in 2012 by Genya Takigami, focusing on designing and creating ceramic items that complement various lifestyles. With a concept of expanding the possibilities of clay, the brand explores a wide range of expressions through ceramic mediums.
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BACK 1/2 ー ◀︎〈User interview〉
STUDIO.ZOK / "Patch pocket wallet"