About Us
Aiming to Revitalize the Handicraft Culture of San’in
“With the aim of revitalizing the handcraft culture of the San’in region, the Suetsugus serve as an ‘intermediary’ by inheriting a pottery kiln and passing it on to the next generation of artisans. Through this, we strive to revive traditional craftsmanship within everyday life in the San’in region and to share it widely with everyone.”
Revitalization of the Hachiman-Yaki Kiln
In Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture—the birthplace of Kanjiro Kawai, a leader in Japan’s Mingei (folk
craft) movement—you’ll find the historic Yawata-yaki kiln in Hirose Town.
With a legacy spanning nearly 300 years, this kiln was once a vibrant pottery workshop, crafting
everyday household items cherished by the local community.
However, the kiln faced
decline as modernization and mass-produced plastics took over. While it has managed to continue on a
small scale, creating tableware and folk crafts, the passing of its last owner has
left the kiln nearly silent. Now, we’re striving to bring it back to life by reviving its signature
blue glaze and restoring this unique piece of heritage.
Showa 100 Years! Mingei Movement Revival: Embracing Handicrafts in Everyday Life
The kilns of the San’in region, celebrated through the Mingei(folk craft) movement, gained
recognition for the simple beauty they brought to daily life.
Now, a century later,
Mingeiis experiencing a renaissance. As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, shifts towards a
circular economy and the rise of remote work are transforming our lifestyles. More people
are focusing on the quality of their time at home, embracing handcrafted folk art and finding joy in
everyday rituals, like tea time. This revival of traditional crafts brings warmth and
artistry back into modern living.
Tea and Folk Crafts: From Botebote Tea to Coffee
Lifestyles evolve with time, and in the Yasugi region, the bowls used for savoring Botebote tea are cherished as folk crafts. This tradition has its origins in the tea ceremony culture of the city, where matcha bowls were once essential. In rural areas, however, Botebote tea bowls became practical, everyday dishes for enjoying light meals, transforming into beloved household items and local specialties. Over time, the way people enjoy tea has also changed—from matcha and bancha to coffee and modern teas—broadening the types of beverages and the vessels used to enjoy them.
(Note) What is Botebote Tea:
Until the mid-Taisho period, Botebote tea was a farmhouse staple,
prepared by the hearth. Hot water, infused with bancha flowers, was poured into a
special Botebote tea bowl and whisked with a chasen to create a frothy, matcha-like tea. This
warming drink was served alongside small portions of porridge, rice, cooked black beans,
pickled daikon, and chopped kelp, resembling a rustic kind of ochazuke. For many farm families,
Botebote tea often served as a hearty main meal, perfect for cold weather. Born from the
survival ingenuity of impoverished farmers during the feudal era, Botebote tea was even appreciated
by the tea master and Matsue domain lord, Fumai-kou, who popularized it across the
Izumo region.
Dripper lab
Leveraging the unique climate of the Yasugi region, we create ceramic coffee drippers. Hirose Town in Yasugi City is known for its springs of exceptionally soft water. By inheriting the traditional natural manufacturing methods of long-standing pottery kilns, we meticulously handcraft each dripper to maximize the characteristics of coffee beans. Our goal is to produce pottery that can be cherished and used for a long time.
Profile
representative Saira Suetsugu
Originally from Fukuoka City, she graduated from the Kyushu Institute of Design (now part of
Kyushu University School of Design). After gaining experience in construction consulting,
she began her pottery journey in 2007 under the guidance of Master Akio Fukuda at Fukujugama.
She also served as an assistant instructor in a pottery class.
Since 2018, she has
been running a guesthouse and pottery studio in Kumamoto, where she offers pottery experience
services for guests.
Hiroaki Suetsugu
Born in Kumamoto City, he holds a Ph.D. in Art and Design and works as an architectural designer. After earning his degree from Kyushu University School of Design and gaining experience as a researcher, he took over the family business in 2013, managing a medical corporation. In 2016, he established a guesthouse focused on revitalizing vacant homes. Starting in 2024, he will embark on a project to revive a kiln in his mother’s hometown of Hirose Town, Yasugi City.
The story behind the logo
Passing on emotions through pottery.
This logo expresses the intention to inherit kilns that have no successors and to convey the history and stories of their pottery.
The character “す” symbolizes the word “suetsugu” (inheriting pottery), embodying the desire to pass on culture to the next generation. Additionally, the number “8” is incorporated into the logo to commemorate the founding date of August 8th. This “8” also represents infinity (∞), symbolizing continuity and connection.
Furthermore, the “&” included in the logo symbolizes the bonds and interactions that arise through pottery, connecting people. Through this logo, we aim to convey the desire to be an entity that connects tradition and the future, as well as people.