I am a ceramicist and kintsugi repairer based in London.

I was born and brought up in Japan and came to London in 2000. In Japan I was working in interior design and pottery was one of things I would collect.

While studying English in London I tried out a local pottery class as a hobby and soon I was drawn into the fun and complexity of making with clay. Ceramics became more than a hobby and I became a graduate of the subject at the University of Westminster.

By this time I had engaged with a few galleries and shops that stocked my work, I obtained a small space in the current studio in East London. I was mainly hand-building small objects in porcelain and stoneware clay. In 2011 I acquired a second-hand potter’s wheel and started to produce more thrown work.

WORK

The inspirations for my work come from a wide range of archeological artefacts, everyday designed objects and the forms in nature. I also generate ideas from the materials, processes and history in ceramics and other crafts. In my work I try to express elegance and beauty in the functional forms that match to our modern aesthetics while exploring the materials and the traditions of pottery making: combining the Egyptian form and Japanese decorating technique, the Roman form and Korean glaze and the style of English studio pottery and Chinese glaze etc.

My work is available from craft galleries and shops that share the passion for craftsmanship and creativity. Please have a look at the ‘CV and Stockists’ page for more information.

I also teach pottery and kintsugi (Japanese pottery repairing techniques) in my workshop TOKOBO and at other institutions. If you’re interested in my workshops please follow my Instagram and TOKOBO.

The video below beautifully captures the scene of my studio. I love this film by the amazing filmmakers NOMA media. I hope you do too.

mizuyo yamashita

 filmed by Nick MacMahon & Oliver MacMahon, NOMA MEDIA

For more information and bookings about my classes at TOKOBO, please visit TOKOBO pottery .