Lacquer and Ceramic Sake Bowl by Hiroyuki TOMITA

Born in Ōiso, Kanagawa Prefecture, Hiroyuki Tomita is a contemporary ceramic artist celebrated for his bold innovation and technical precision. After training in metal molding and studying ceramics under Ijuin Mariko, he established his own studio in Isehara, Kanagawa, in 2007. Tomita’s signature works feature a striking interplay between matte, high-fired clay and gleaming metallic glazes, most notably his distinctive gold and platinum (or silver) ichimatsu checkerboard pattern. This unique technique, applying the pattern selectively within glazed areas, creates a refined balance of delicacy, elegance, boldness, and wildness, qualities he strives to unite in a single vessel. A prominent member of the avant-garde ceramic collective “Hyouge Jissaku”, Tomita has exhibited widely across Japan, including at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi, Park Hotel Tokyo, and Kogei Art Fair Kanazawa. His work exemplifies a contemporary reimagining of Japanese craftsmanship, merging meticulous artistry with modern sensibility.