Harajuku vintage store ".DEPTHe is the owner of "Mother[Claire]Utopia (VTOPIA)The new tableware brand "TABLEWARE" is designed by Mr. ERI, the designer of "TABLEWARE".TOWA CERAMICSThe company has launched a new project, the "Mutual Aid Association (MAA)".
She has been active on the front lines as a clothing designer and owner of a vintage clothing store, but the idea for this new brand came from her desire to "create something different from clothes, something that can be more integrated into daily life and shared with more people. The first item is "LIPS MUG" with glossy lips. Designed in 1984 by Shiro Noguchi, a prototype maker of Hasami-ware in Nagasaki Prefecture, Mr. eri and Mr. Noguchi reproduced the original design together. It can be used not only as a mug, but also as a vase, pen stand, or ornament.
LIPS MUG ¥6,000+TAX
This mug allows you to enjoy your coffee or tea as if you were kissing it. It is a product with a touch of sexiness that is typical of her. The product will go on sale on December 17 (Sat.) at 12:00 pm. To celebrate the release, a limited time-only boutique will be open at the "VACANT" gallery in Harajuku, so don't miss it. We would like to conclude by quoting Mr. ERI's thoughts on this item as follows
eri：This LIPS MUG was designed in 1984 (32 years ago) by Mr. Noguchi, a prototype maker who has a workshop a short drive from Hasamicho. When I visited Mr. Noguchi's workshop for the first time and was served a cup of coffee in the prototype of this mug, I fell in love at first sight with its beauty, and I asked him to reproduce it, and he readily agreed.
Mr. Noguchi created a new prototype and changed the size from the original, which was small, to the 350cc size, which holds a large amount of liquid, and the current shape was born. The lips created by Mr. Noguchi's hand fit surprisingly well when you put your mouth on it, and the liquid is carried smoothly into your mouth.
The glaze is a milky white with a slight bluish tinge, inspired by the texture of beautiful human skin. The handle of the mug is reminiscent of an ear, and there is a pierced hole in the handle. This is the same design as in 1984. It can be used as an accent to your daily table or as a gift. As an ornament, pen stand, or flower vase, its presence and somewhat mysterious appearance will add a little bit of humor and discomfort to various scenes.
The box made to match this mug can be used as a gift as it is. The drawing on the front is based on the one Mr. Noguchi drew before he made the prototype.
ERI: When I was still a blue youth, I was always fascinated with painting. I was addicted to the depth of drawing, suffering the never-ending struggle of oil painting, and facing myself with a canvas in front of me. I had always thought that painting was the best form of self-expression since I was a child, and that it would continue throughout my adult life, but gradually I began to lose meaning in the canvas that I had put my whole heart and soul into. I decided that I wanted to make clothes. I decided to make clothes because I strongly felt that it was very meaningful to me to put my whole heart and soul into making clothes, and to see someone's joy when they see my "work of art" become a part of their life.
Four years ago, more than 10 years after I started this business, I was thinking about what I could share with more people and what could be more integrated into their lives, different from clothes. We thought that it might be pottery. I felt that it would be a great pleasure if we could decorate someone's daily table with something that we had created with our own hands and with sincerity, and I was able to create my vision with the same honest feeling as when I started my clothing business.
However, I had no skills and kept my desire for pottery as a "dream for someday", but last year, as fate would have it, I met Mr. Baba of Maruhiro, a pottery maker in Hasami-cho, Nagasaki Prefecture, and "my dream for someday" became a reality with the name TOWA CERAMICS. My dream of "someday" became a reality with the name TOWA CERAMICS. Through my many trips to Hasami, and through my contact with stonemasons, clay makers, glaziers, prototype makers, mold makers, and of course everyone at Maruhiro, I have come to realize that I am not only making a "product", but that I am also creating something more. I want to cherish the whole process of making, even though it is invisible to the eye! I kept pressing the shutter of my camera while everyone was working, not wanting to miss the moment, wanting to preserve the atmosphere for a long time. I think this was the moment that changed my attitude toward the process of making things.
eri:It may seem strange to have only one model after launching a brand, but I could barely make this one mug. If I had several models now, I might not be able to keep up with my feelings.... But I still can't convey the feelings, the joy, and the warmth of the hands of the people who make these mugs. At any rate, I am very happy to be able to present the first one like this. Please keep up the good work.
Edit&Text_Taiyo Nagashima
TOWA CERAMICS
On sale: Saturday, December 17, 12:00~.
www.towaceramics.com
www.instagram.com/towaceramics
Simultaneous sales at LIMITED BOUTIQUE and ONLINE SHOP
TOWA CERAMICS LIMITED BOUTIQUE
Dates: December 17 (Sat) ~ December 25 (Sun)
Venue: 1F VACANT/GALLERY, 3-20-13 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Open: 12:00 - 20:00
www.vacant.vc
