Keigo Kamide — Bridging Cultures

A Papersky Japan Story

Outdoors & Design 07

Keigo Kamide

Bridging Cultures

“When you feel stuck or tired, I recommend that you touch clay to get in touch with nature.”

I love November, clear blue skies and crisp clean air. Time to find that sweatshirt hidden at the back of the wardrobe. Yesterday was beautiful and according to the weather app, tomorrow too. Today on the other hand is cloudy and rainy, typical as I’m journeying my way to the Kamide Choemon Kiln where I shall meet Keigo Kamide, a 6th generation Kutani Ochawanya-san.

The Kamide Choemon Kiln is in Nomi City, the flatlands between the Nihonkai (Sea of Japan) and Hakusan (Mt. Haku – White Mountain). True to his shy nature Hakusan is hiding under a fringe of clouds. My attempts to encourage him out with silent wishful thoughts failed. On first meeting Keigo he too seems a little shy, but this is just a disguise. For underneath his signature low fringe, is a humorous kindhearted person with plenty to say.

We passed through a small 2nd floor storeroom brimming with a history lesson in Kutani ceramics and on into a smaller meeting room to talk. Within this room a few prized possessions made by Keigo’s ancestors alongside newer additions collected by Keigo himself are proudly on display. A juxtaposition of Kutani ceramics ageing 100 years old and an Korean 1988 Olympics Mascot speaks to Keigo’s personality. Combining a fascination with history and an appreciation of contemporary culture. 

The story continues at Papersky Japan Stories

OUTDOORS & DESIGN
James Gibson, an outdoor enthusiast and designer - bring his two passions ‘OUTDOORS & DESIGN’ together to shed sunshine on Japanese: projects, art, creative endeavours and brands that are enlightening our natural world.