In this captivating interview, we explore the journey of Emi Tanaka, a Japan-born ceramicist now based in Sydney. We first met Emi through our candle collaboration with Provider Store; Emi was the talented hands behind the vessels that house our candles.
Inspired by her childhood experiences with tea ceremonies and pottery, Emi shares how her passion for ceramics blossomed into a thriving studio over two decades. She shares how the meditative quality of her craft connects her to nature and the grounding principles of Japanese philosophy. With a strong focus on community and teaching, Emi reflects on her daily rituals and her desire for more time to explore her personal creativity. Join us as we celebrate Emi’s craft and the beauty and richness she brings to life through clay.
What inspired you to get into ceramics and pottery?
I was always interested in pottery since when I was young. My mother does tea ceremony and Japanese flower arrangement which is deeply related to pottery. She used to take me to tea ceremonies and also some pottery villages when I was a child. I was a Tom boy when I was young so I got more interested in pottery rather than girly flower arrangements or tea ceremony.
When I first came to Australia about 30 years ago, there was no Japanese tableware available. So I brought Japanese style tableware from Japan to use them at home. Eventually, some got broken and I started making my own as a hobby.
I started this studio about 18 years ago. At that time, I was only getting orders from Japanese restaurants because hardly any Australian restaurants used hand made tableware. It probably started to change from about 10 years ago; I started to receive orders from local cafes and restaurants as well. I'm so happy to see the change.
As an art medium, how do you find ceramics and pottery fulfils you creatively? How does it make you feel - relaxed, at peace..?
I don’t consider myself as an artist so pottery is not an art medium for me. I’m more of a craft person and I just love making pottery.
I find making pottery is like a meditation. You need to focus and you don’t think about any other things while you are making. It makes me feel very peaceful.
What are your greatest sources of inspiration? Does your Japanese culture and heritage inspire your art / in what ways?
I like nature so I try to curve the surface or put some texture that resemble nature. Especially from ocean.
As my background is Japanese my aesthetic appreciation is based on wabi sabi. I try to implement that into my work with rustic, imperfect and asymmetrical look with texture resembling nature. Trying to create something humble and subtle yet beautiful that you can feel the creators touch and feelings.
What parts of the process do you enjoy the most?
Making part. I enjoy making the shape and trimming.
I like to see a rump of clay become an object in my hands. I find glazing is the hardest part.
What are your days filled with? What are some of your favourite daily rituals?
My day is filled with just pottery. I’m in my studio 7 days a week except for when I go away on holiday. I teach classes 4 days a week and other days I’m making things or packing and unpacking the kiln. It is my ‘Ikigai’.
Lastly, what are you looking forward most to for the future - life or career wise?
I will be happy to continue with pottery in any way with all my life. If I get a chance I would like to explore more of the creative side of pottery. Funny thing is I’m alway busy with running classes and commission work, I hardly get any chance to make my own work. I think it is very fortunate and I really appreciate it but if I can be greedy, I wish to have a little bit more time to make something of my own.
Shop RUUSK x Provider Store Hikari Candles
here.
