The Beauty of Traditional Handcrafts — Everyday Elegance in Ceramics
In the peaceful mountain region of Keihoku, Kyoto, ceramic artist Daiki Tanaka has been creating pottery at TATA Pottery Studio for over 10 years, crafting each piece with quiet dedication and care.
Surrounded by the calming sounds of nature, Tanaka skillfully shapes porcelain clay into beautiful handmade pieces designed to enrich daily life with subtle elegance.
Mastering Slip Casting and the Wheel
A graduate of Kyoto Seika University, Tanaka trained under ceramic artist Shin Murata. Drawing on both traditional and modern ceramic techniques, he specializes in white and blue porcelain crafted through slip casting and wheel throwing.
At TATA Pottery Studio, every step—from clay selection to firing—is handled personally. Each handmade ceramic item is infused with the artist’s intention and quiet spirit.
Building a New Vision of Kyo-ware With Friends
Tanaka collaborates with fellow artist Kei Tanabe (artist name: “Thinking Brush”), a friend from his university days, who creates charming hand-painted illustrations for selected pieces.
These playful, pastel-colored underglaze decorations have become a hallmark of TATA Pottery Studio’s whimsical yet refined aesthetic, offering a fresh take on traditional Japanese pottery.
Simplicity, Usability, and Quiet Beauty
Tanaka’s white porcelain vessels are known for their clean lines, soft touch, and calm presence. These are handmade pieces designed to evolve with everyday use—becoming more beautiful as they integrate into your daily routine.
“True beauty emerges in daily use.”
Tanaka continues to pursue this philosophy, creating simple, high-quality ceramics with lasting value.
Quiet Dedication in Every Piece
Tanaka’s calm and consistent approach to pottery reveals itself in the peaceful energy of each piece. His work invites you to imagine the quiet atmosphere of his studio—bringing a sense of tranquility and contentment to your table.
Whether displayed or used every day, his traditional handmade pottery adds warmth, depth, and charm to modern life.
Artist Profile: Daiki Tanaka
- Born in 1990 in Keihoku, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan
- 2012 – Graduated from Kyoto Seika University, Department of Fine Arts (Ceramics)
- Studied under ceramic artist Shin Murata
- 2015 – Established independent practice in Keihoku, Kyoto
- 2016 – Group exhibition “Tou Yonin” (Kyoto)
- 2017 – Featured in “Tōshikō” at Hankyu Umeda Gallery (Osaka)
- 2019 – Exhibited at Iida Craft Fair (Nagano)
- 2020 – Hosted online sales via Instagram
- 2021 – Exhibited at Shigaraki Ceramic Market (Shiga)
- 2022 – Participated in “Animal Ceramics Fair” (Tokyo)
- 2022 – Group show “Tableware for Food” at Bum Gallery (Osaka)
- 2022 – Solo exhibition “Living With Ceramics” at Kyoto Ceramic Art Association Gallery
KOTOPOTTER Owner
Masatoshi Yokoyama
With over a decade of experience in traditional Japanese crafts, especially Kyoto’s Kyo-ware and Kiyomizu-ware, I select handmade pottery that embodies both tradition and originality.
Working closely with artisans and kilns in Kyoto, I continue to refine my eye for craftsmanship while discovering new ways to share Japanese ceramics with the world.
In 2024, I launched KOTOPOTTER, an online store dedicated to traditional handmade pottery from Kyoto, Japan.