Travel Journal - Visiting the Home Atelier of Japanese Ceramic Artist Manami Naoi
Back in 2022 when the world was still under the difficult time, we spent a lovely afternoon at the home atelier of Japanese ceramic artist Manami Naoi in Tokyo together with our Japanese photographer friend Fuka Kamata for interviewing Manami.
Before Manami has become a ceramic artist, she had opened a little cafe in Japan because she is always passionate about brewing coffee and baking cakes.
Manami had showed us around her studio and it was not surprised to see that Japanese ceramic artists always keep their workplaces so neatly and clean.
Manami told us that she was prepared to demonstrate to make a few of her signature vessels. We were so excited to be able to witness and record how the elegant forms of her calmingly translucent white glazed works were created.
From seeing her determined face while she was rolling the huge and hard clay dough, we were feeling exceptionally grateful about being able to work with this respectful artist and represent her works exclusively in Australia.
Manami's works are designed for all cafe lovers, who love to create a little coffee corner and enjoy a slice of cake at home like her. From her tableware range of works, ceramic goblet cups, relief dessert plates, cake stands, footed dessert compote dishes, etc. are her most popular ceramics among collectors.
Manami was going to make a chawan tea bowl on her wheel.
Home decorative objects are another category that she enjoys creating, such as candle stands, incense stands, incense stick holders, lamps, accessories, etc.
Her signature compote dish perfect for holding candles, accessories, or even a canele!
Her iconic candle stand with a quietly elegant silhouette.
After we had done with our interview, Manami was so inviting that she told us that she actually had freshly baked a cake for us. She would love to invite us to go in her house and enjoy a lovely afternoon tea time together!
When stepping into the dining and kitchen areas of Manami's home, it was such an eye-opening experience for us to learn how we should effectively organise and handle our favourite artisanal ceramic collections at home, which are actually being practically used every day like Manami!
Manami shared some of her thoughts about her lifestyle with us. She said that first of all we need to love life and food, so that we can share what we love with whom we love, i.e. our families and friends.
We don't need fancy things to obtain happiness. Sometimes, humble and timeless pieces with uniquely handcrafted features will deliver love and warmth - naturally connecting people when sitting around the dining table to enjoy a simple cup of home-brewed coffee and a slice of home-baked cakes.
Manami's lighting creation in her bathroom.
Manami's signature works are now available online for purchase. Please click here to see the collection.
We have already scheduled a solo exhibition for Manami Naoi in 2026! We can't wait to welcome Manami to visit Melbourne and hopefully we can enjoy her professional pourover coffee again!
Photo disclaimer:
All of the pictures in this article are protected by photography copyright with an exclusive ownership to Kurashi Japanese Crafts Pty Ltd. Any reuses or redistribution of photos are strictly prohibited.