Born in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu, Artist Ikuko Ishii (石井郁子) studied ceramics at Nara College of Arts, after which she moved to nearby Iga, establishing a home-studio in the countryside with her husband.
Ikuko-san specialises in sometsuke decorated pottery, a Japanese artistic tradition that dates back to the early 1600s, using the gosu “cobalt blue” pigment under a translucent glaze. This technique was first developed during China’s Tang Dynasty around 618 to 907 AD and brought to Japan via Korean artisans.
Ikuko’s distinctive free-hand illustration style animates a variety of animals and characters with spontaneity and improvisation, making each handcrafted piece a unique work of art. She hopes you can find one or two that can becomes treasured favourites in your life too.
- Handcrafted in Japan
- Individually hand-painted by the artist
- Each piece is created one by one with the artist’s touch
- Approximate size: diameter 15.5 cm