April 17, 2023

Memories of Takehara

The studio and exhibition hall
The studio and exhibition hall

Last fall, I visited the studio of Makimasa Imai in Takehara, Hiroshima, as part of a Kogei Art KYOTO photography and interview.
The studio also houses an exhibition hall for the works of Makimasa’s father, received the Order of Cultural* Merit and ceramic artist Masayuki Imai, and features a noborigama kiln named “Hozan Gama,” where the firing of works takes place twice a year.

tea room "Shoseiken"
tea room “Shoseiken”

In addition, visitors can be entertained in two tea rooms, “Shoseiken” and “Ryukeitei.”
With this fantastic location overlooking the Seto Inland Sea, we conducted meaningful photography and interviews throughout the day, starting in the morning.

Mr.Imai and me
Mr.Imai and me
View from "Shoseiken"
View from “Shoseiken”
Seto Inland Sea toward sunset
Seto Inland Sea toward sunset

Click here to see the results of the photography and interviews. 
https://kogeiart.kyoto.jp/artists/makimasa-imai/

*The Order of Culture (Bunka-kunshō) is a prestigious Japanese award presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to art, literature, science, and other cultural domains. Established in 1937, it is one of the highest honors in Japan and is presented annually by the Emperor on Culture Day (November 3rd).

Takeshi Horio