In the midst of preparing for an exhibition, Madoka Kashiwagi welcomed us to her studio in Iga, Japan, offering deep insights into her creative philosophy.
Artists & Brands
In the midst of preparing for an exhibition, Madoka Kashiwagi welcomed us to her studio in Iga, Japan, offering deep insights into her creative philosophy.
Madoka Kashiwagi is a ceramic artist specializing in porcelain tableware. Unlike the earthy, powerful style often associated with traditional Iga-yaki pottery, porcelain is delicate and thin, sometimes perceived as “simple” because of the fine texture of the clay. However, it is in this simplicity that Kashiwagi achieves something truly extraordinary.
It is not unusual to encounter eye-catching works that rely on an element of surprise to be appreciated—an aesthetic that thrives in our consumerist society. Kashiwagi’s work stands in stark contrast to this approach.
Her tableware allows food to shine in its most authentic form without taking the spotlight. Kashiwagi has vowed to always center the food, to make the best work that she can, for as affordable a price as she can. A dedication to simplicity is a dedication to honesty. It’s an aesthetic that cannot deceive—neither you nor those around you—about what truly matters.
Kashiwagi manifests her dedication to this philosophy throughout her life. Her work is a dedication to repetition. On the electric wheel, she produces up to two hundred plates a day with precision.
After work, she and her partner share a drink with some food. As fervent lovers of cooking, their evening meal is decorated with seasonal gifts from the mountains and the sea. In the evening, the reading room is a quiet space for the two bookworms and their beloved cat. And the days repeat. Life as a vessel for cherished moments.
Kashiwagi comes from a long lineage of ceramists in Iga. Her father, Masataka Fukumori, the seventh generation of Doraku Kiln, is highly regarded for his dynamic yet sensitive work, sought after by practitioners of traditional ceremonial arts like the tea ceremony.
After a decade of apprenticeship in Doraku Kiln, Kashiwagi established herself as an independent ceramist in Mashiko, she began her pursuit of porcelain. She draws inspiration from pieces of old ceramics that she has collected in mountains where ancient kilns used to exist.
Her father’s principle—to always prioritize the food and cuisine before the vessel—continues to guide her. Now, in her hometown of Iga, Kashiwagi continues her relentless pursuit of refinement, even after achieving mastery of the pottery wheel.
The quiet dignity found in her work mirrors her earnest demeanor and embracing spirit. Each piece holds a beauty that embraces life’s simple pleasures, enriching everyday meals into cherished moments. Rooted in years of dedication and passion, her work quietly reflects the beauty of life’s simple, meaningful moments.
Gato - Ceramics and Japanese Food