What is missing from speed and rationality

The "Shimizu Shiro Ceramics Exhibition" is being held from Thursday, July 23rd.

Prior to the exhibition, we visited the workshop to conduct interviews and take photos for the " Dialogue " and " Video " sections of the website.

On the second night, we ate at the Kyoto restaurant that inspired Shimizu to start digging in the soil.

Along with the delicious meal, the owner showed us Shimizu's collection of tableware from various eras.

The process felt like an exploration of the possibilities of vessels without being bound by preconceived ideas.

At the same time, I felt encouraged to know that people can change at any time depending on their will and environment.

During the interview, Shimizu recalled that when he was in his 20s, there was a time when he chose more efficient methods for making pottery, rather than using hand-cranked potter's wheels or wood-fired kilns.

In order to seek a non-mechanical feeling and change yourself, start by creating the right environment.

What he has consistently valued is using his body, not just his mind, and engaging with the work in a way that sharpens all five senses.

Now that the coronavirus pandemic is causing major changes to the way we work and live,
"What has been lost from speed and rationality?" Perhaps it is time to reexamine these things.

When we think about the economy, we tend to pursue "speed and rationality." However, if we pursue convenience too much, it will cause distortions later on.

This distortion spreads to many areas, and although we deal with problems whenever they arise, it seems like it will be difficult to repair because the root cause has not been addressed.

I think a big part of that is that I recently moved from the city center of Fukuoka to the countryside.

There was a time when I would go out to eat at restaurants in the city center almost every night and enjoy a gourmet lifestyle by imitating others, but now that I'm cooking as badly as I can, I'm learning and discovering many times more. (This is just my own experience.)

We should be able to fully accept and enjoy cultural development, and then shine a light on what has been lost.

I feel that this will change depending on each individual's awareness of consumption.

"Try to shop where you can see the maker"

If you use this as your criterion for making a proactive choice, it will give you the strength to live a rich life.

I bought Shimizu's tableware on the first day of the exhibition. I'm brewing coffee with it, and although there are imperfections because it's handmade, the impression I get from it changes every time I hold it or touch it on my mouth, and I feel the charm and interest of the coincidences created by the natural environment.

Since we'll be together every day, I want to choose my belongings and the space around me that I like.

Shimizu's exhibition will be on until Sunday, August 2nd. (The store will be closed only on Tuesday, August 28th during the exhibition period.) Online updates will be posted every day from 6pm.

Please enjoy until the end.

Yoshiaki Ono