Author Yutaro Yamada
Click here for the interview video with Yutaro Yamada
Biography
Born in 1982 in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, a city long known for its teapots. The family business is also pottery. In 2010, he graduated from the Ceramic Arts Department of Tokoname Prefectural High School. In 2014, he studied architecture at Daido University's Pottery Department. He got a job but soon returned to the world of pottery. In 2017, he graduated from the Tokoname Tounomori Ceramic Art Institute. At the same time, he became independent as a teapot and other tea utensil maker, separate from the family business.
Characteristics of Yutaro Yamada's work
Yutaro Yamada's teapots are characterized by their sophisticated design, which respects the traditions of Tokoname ware while adding a modern sensibility. The moment you pick one up, you'll be amazed at its lightness and finesse. The light, thin teapots provide an amazing fit, and the way they fit in your hand makes them feel like an extension of your own.
Yutaro Yamada's teapots are a perfect blend of practicality and beauty. The shape of the spout, the arrangement of the handles, and the comfort you feel every time you use them all give his works a special charm. These teapots are beautiful just to look at, but when you actually hold them in your hands, their charm is further enhanced.
A teapot that makes the most of the characteristics of Tokoname ware
Tokoname ware is known for its red clay and highly transparent glazes. Yutaro Yamada makes use of Tokoname's red clay and treasures the warmth that comes from the clay. His teapots made from this clay have a warmth that makes you feel truly relaxed when you hold them in your hands. The simple texture of the clay and the soft texture that appears after firing envelop the user.
Yutaro Yamada has also developed his own glaze, bringing out the best in Tokoname ware glazes while incorporating new sensations. As a result, his teapots have a luster that draws the viewer in, and a beautiful texture that seems frozen in time. The lustrous shine of the glaze makes you feel its beauty every time you use it.
Lightweight, sophisticated and beautiful pieces
Yamada Yuutaro's creations are made as light and thin as possible. Not only is their lightness easy to use, but their attention to detail in the design also makes them visually pleasing. Beautiful from any angle, they are like works of art, and you are drawn in by their beauty every time you pick them up. Meanwhile, in addition to being easy to pour and hold, the interior design, which allows the tea leaves to spread naturally, provides a comfortable experience for the user. All of these elements come together in harmony within a single piece, and it really shows its true value in everyday use.