Akihiro Nikaido Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture
Of the many elements that make UKA a unique dining experience, tableware is key. UKA’s chefs have curated the tableware to spotlight ceramics made by some of Japan’s leading artisans and traditional producers to make each meal a treat for all senses. One featured creator is Akihiro Nikaido, part of the next generation wave of ceramicists who are not only putting a fresh spin on tradition, but also finding ways to strengthen communal knowledge and support for the future of Japanese ceramics. Born and raised in Sapporo, Nikaido studied ceramics at Bunka Gakuin College of Arts, then spent 14 years in Mashiko, Tochigi prefecture, before moving in Chiba, and finally settling in Izu, Shizuoka prefecture. Early on, he attracted domestic and international attention with his subtle forms that draw on traditional craft techniques, as well as boldly monochrome colors and surprising textures. His work is often influenced by the principles of Yūgen , a Japanese aesthetic philosophy that is associated with poets like Fujiwara no Shunzei and prizes mystery and nuance, and he has collaborated with tea masters on special tea ceremony events featuring his pieces. In 2010, he realized the challenges that younger generation ceramic artists face in Japan today, and so established a collective support network called “Tou - ISM”. His creations have been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, helping reveal this medium as a fine art as well as craft, but are also still accessible items for everyday use – including as a canvas for the kaiseki experience at UKA.
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