About the craftsman:

Jumpei Kaneshige carries forward a 500-year family legacy in Bizen ware pottery, or bizen-yaki, one of Japan’s oldest and most revered forms of pottery. Originating in Bizen Province, Okayama Prefecture and dating back to the 8th century, Bizen-yaki is known for its earthy textures and natural, unglazed beauty—qualities that Kaneshige continues to honor in every piece he creates.

A graduate of Waseda University with further studies in ceramics at Long Island University in the United States, Kaneshige brings a modern sensibility to this ancient craft. From his serene mountain-view studio set upon the mineral-rich soil of Bizen, he handcrafts ceremonial tea, flower arrangement, sake, and tableware that seamlessly blend tradition with contemporary living.

His grandfather, Kaneshige Toyo (1896–1967), was instrumental in reviving Bizen-yaki during Japan’s industrial era and was named a Living National Treasure for preserving its artistry and cultural significance. The Kaneshige family is one of the six original shokunin, or honorable craftsman families, in Bizen.

Today, Kaneshige continues his family’s legacy, preserving the soul of Bizen ware and reimagining it for modern life. The distinctive patterns of Bizen ware are the result of "happy accidents"—organic, one-of-a-kind designs born from the unpredictable interplay of ash, flame, and heat in the kiln.