COVERCHORD EXCLUSIVE

MAHITO KUDO POTTER
SOLO EXHIBITION

Simple yet refined, these everyday pottery pieces exude warmth of the artisan's hand.
Starting from Saturday, September 7th, a solo exhibition by potter Mahito Kudo will be held.

Based in Ajigaura, Ibaraki Prefecture, Mahito Kudo Potter has been producing everyday pottery for over 35 years.

With their beautiful and serene simplicity, these vessels somehow convey a sense of human warmth. Mahito Kudo’s works possess a timeless charm that gently complements everyday life.

The Mahito Kudo Potter Solo Exhibition, featuring a wide selection of his works, will be held at COVERCHORD Nakameguro starting Saturday, September 7th.

This exhibition will showcase a variety of plates, bowls, mugs, and more, including popular pieces in deep cobalt blue, a signature of Mahito Kudo Potter. In total, there will be over 100 types and more than 500 pieces. Additionally, specially made oval plates and one-of-a-kind vases and jars, created specifically for this exhibition, will also be on display. Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience the rich expressions of Mahito Kudo Potter.

In this feature, we will introduce some of Mahito Kudo Potter's pieces that complement daily life before the exhibition begins. In the latter part of the article, we’ll delve into the creative process of potter Mahito Kudo.

Visiting Mahito Kudo Potter
 

Our encounter with Mahito Kudo Potter at COVERCHORD began at a craft fair held in Matsumoto City.

"Who is the person behind these pottery works?”
Among the many pottery pieces on display, Mahito Kudo Potter's works stood out. When we first held one of his pieces, we were intrigued by the person behind it.

To learn more about Mahito Kudo as a potter, we visited his workshop in Ajigaura, Ibaraki Prefecture.
The man we met in person was someone who embodied the word "strong-willed," full of vitality and energy.

Born in Shinjuku Kabukicho, Tokyo, to a father who was a critic of Ikebana and a collector of antiques, and a mother who worked in an antique shop, Kudo grew up surrounded by Nordic crafts and antiques, which naturally became familiar to him from an early age.

He spent his youth feeling stifled by the hustle and bustle of the city and the inexplicable discomfort of Tokyo.
Later, through an acquaintance, he began training in pottery in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, laying the foundation for his career as a potter.

After completing his pottery training, Kudo traveled the world for a year, visiting Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Iran, Pakistan, and India.
He met potters and encountered various styles in each country, gaining valuable experiences from the cultural nuances he encountered.

"Unlike overly serious Japanese people, everyone was pretty laid-back. What I found stifling in Japan was not the norm elsewhere in the world. Just knowing that made my mind feel much lighter."

After returning to Japan, Kudo established his home and studio in Ajigaura in 1987.
He has continued creating pottery there for over 35 years, working alongside his wife.

In his 50s, Kudo focused his energy on how to make his unique style known to the world. As he aged, his approach gradually shifted towards an appreciation of the "beauty of utility."
Creating simple, practical items demands high and uniform quality, from choosing the clay to shaping the pieces. Kudo has never rested on his laurels, thoroughly enjoying the time spent thinking and experimenting.
Kudo's serious gaze when working on the potter's wheel reflects a craftsman's spirit mixed with the pure and innocent joy of a child playing with a toy.
When we mentioned this to him, he shyly responded:

"Looking back, I started this job on a whim, but I’ve been able to keep doing it for a long time. I'm truly happy to have found something I can immerse myself in so deeply."

Now, when he turns the potter's wheel, Kudo imagines the lives of the people who will use his vessels. His pieces, created with passion and warmth, have the power to enhance the lives of those who use them.

When asked about his future plans, Kudo answered without hesitation:
"I'll keep making pottery. I'm excited to see how adding my own color to the 'beauty of utility' will play out."

Kudo's refusal to shy away from challenges speaks to his pride as a potter.
We are all looking forward to discovering a new dimension in the works that will be showcased at the upcoming Mahito Kudo Potter Solo Exhibition.

 
 

MAHITO KUDO POTTER
at COVERCHORD Nakameguro

September 7th (Saturday) – , September 11th (Wednesday), 2024, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
COVERCHORD Nakameguro
1-23-14 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

*Please note that the exhibition may end early depending on sales. We recommend visiting as soon as possible.
*Some items will also be available on COVERCHORD Online.

Instagram_@coverchord_nakameguro

Message for my solo exhibition

My relationship with COVERCHORD began when I was first approached at the Matsumoto Craft Fair. I have been making pottery for nearly 40 years. Before I started creating the simple tableware I now produce, I used to craft traditional Japanese pottery styles such as Oribe, Shino, and Karatsu. I’ve continued making pottery for so long without ever tiring of it because I have a deep passion for working on the wheel.

The buyer from COVERCHORD is now in their third generation. As a 66-year-old potter, I am always encouraged by the vibrant energy of the young staff, whose fresh perspectives never fail to inspire me. Thank you for that.

When creating the pieces for this exhibition, I kept the concept of CLASSIC•STANDARD in mind throughout the entire process—from throwing on the wheel to glazing and firing the kiln. The beauty of working on the wheel is that it’s a pre-industrial tool for mass production. Unlike industrial machinery, the process involves the hands and fingers of the potter, which means that each piece, though mass-produced, carries the unique imprint of the maker’s state of mind at the time. While the pieces may appear symmetrical when still, slight imbalances become noticeable when they are in motion. I believe that the charm of antique pottery, including Western pieces, lies in this “looseness” achieved through analog tools.

I won’t go into detail about each piece, but I created them with a focus on simple color tones and the depth of the glazes, using cobalt glaze, white matte glaze, crystal glaze, and others. The forms of the pieces are classic and standard, intended to blend naturally into daily life—or rather, they are shapes that have come to feel inherently pleasing to me after many years of creating pottery. I’m not sure how many more years I can continue making ceramics, but as long as I’m healthy, I plan to keep turning the wheel.

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