You all may be wondering,”Why Has UT recently started making plates?” But there are good reasons and feelings. UT chose the place to make pottery from the collection introduced this time, Hasami, the only town in Nagasaki prefecture that does not face the sea, where the production of pottery began before Ieyasu Tokugawa opened the Edo Era.
What is Hasami
Hasami Town is located in the center of Nagasaki Prefecture and is surrounded by mountains. The traditional craft of ceramics "Hasami ware" produced there is also popular all over the world as "HASAMI", and its perfection is so high that the world-famous technology company famous for its apple mark is paying attention.
Mt. Nakao, a pottery town in Hasami Town where many kilns remain
Hasami ware in production
The ceramic industry in Hasami Town began more than 400 years ago, and in the Edo period it was widely distributed as daily tableware called "Kurawanka bowl". Hasami ware is also called Hasami ware, which is a change from ceramic pottery, which was popular as a work of art in Japan until then, to tableware for everyone's life. As was the case in the Edo period, pottery that supports the lives and food culture of everyone. They are so integrated into our lives that even we who use them do not realize that they are "Hasami ware".
UNIQLO's cherished philosophy is "LifeWear: Made For All." "Life Wear" is high-quality, long-lasting, easy-to-use clothing that is made for everyone's life (= Made for All). The idea is that this world is not for anyone, but for everyone.
UNIQLO cherishes this idea of "Life Wear: Made For All" and Hasami ware, which has cultivated traditional beauty in the history of more than 400 years and continues to support the lives of everyone. The project started from the underlying common items and became a product as a form unique to UT.
The legend of the art world steps on Hasami in all three roles
The basic flow of making ceramics is (1) dough making, (2) drying, (3) unglazed, (4) painting, (5) glaze, and (6) main baking. And of course, it's the same with Hasami ware made by UNIQLO. Each work is carefully carried out with the help of human hands and machines. It may take about a month for one product to complete the entire process.
And this time, UT made a small plate and Sobachoco in Hasami, which is characterized by its compact size. The iconic works of Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, three of the 20th century's leading legendary artists, are dropped into it, creating a pop design with a strong artistic color that is unique to UT. You can choose your favorite pattern and arrange it on the table, or you can use it as an accessory case at the entrance or in your room. You may try growing moss balls on a bean plate.
The UT collection "Andy Warhol / Jean-Michel Basquiat / Keith Haring" has a lineup of not only T-shirts, but also caps, sneakers, folding umbrellas, bags, handkerchiefs, and Hasami-yaki small dishes and Sobachoko. It will be on sale at UNIQLO and online stores nationwide from June 28th (Friday). At the UNIQLO Harajuku store, all products including goods are on sale in advance from 6/11 (Friday).
PROFILE
Andy Warhol
Born in the United States (Pennsylvania) in 1928. An American painter, printmaker, artist and standard-bearer of pop art. A multi-artist who has produced rock bands and made movies with the silver-haired wig as a trademark.
Keith Haring
Born in the United States (Pennsylvania) in 1955. In the early 80's, I started graffiti art on the New York subway, commonly known as subway drawing, using unused billboards with black paper. The comical and enjoyable graffiti has become popular among subway commuters and has spread the name of Haring.
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Born in the United States (New York) in 1960. Known for his works with graffiti art as a motif. An artist who has pushed street art into the field of art.
