Origin of the artist's name [丹影 / Ni-ei]
The character “丹(Ni)” in [丹影(Ni-Ei)] means “vermilion, which has been used since ancient times,” and “丹” in “丹田 (tanden / the area below the navel),” the center of the body.
And the character for “影 (ei) / means shadow” has the connotation of indicating “the authenticity of light and the presence of color,” which fits the image of the creation of works with a wide variety of colors.
The artist's name [丹影 / Ni-ei] expresses her pride in being a craftsman with skills that support tradition, as well as respect for nameless predecessors who possessed advanced skills.
About [丹影 / Ni-ei]
The “Etsuke-shi” is Kiyomizu-yaki craftsman who specialize in the painting.
The roles of Kiyomizuyaki potters are finely divided.
Some specialize in underglaze painting, others in overglaze painting, and still others, called “Dami-shi,” specialize in color painting, with the skill to manipulate shades of color and blurring at will.
Pottery Artist Traditional Craftsman "丹影 / Ni-Ei" is a painter who has studied and trained in the distinctive painting techniques of Kiyomizu-yaki, including the Kenzan copy (Ogata Kenzan / a master potter essential to the history of Kiyomizu-yaki in the Edo period).
In the process of training, she acquired the skill to instantly judge the “intensity of color, thickness of lines, and shape of the pattern” of the painting, and to align them in a uniform tone.
"描詰 / Kaki-zume", an essential technique for Kiyomizu-yaki painters
The "描詰 / Kaki-zume" technique, in which the same pattern is repeatedly painted in the same size and in the same color intensity, is an essential technique for Kiyomizu-yaki potters, who require a high level of skill.
These traditional techniques, imbued into her body as a craftsman, form the basis of her work as a painter Pottery Artist Traditional Craftsman "丹影 / Ni-Ei".
Thoughts on Creating Works
While producing traditional Kiyomizu-yaki, she is also actively engaged in creating her own unique pieces, driven by the urge to transcend traditional constraints and challenge the very limits of her own techniques.
She is constantly pursuing more detailed techniques of drawing and gorgeous coloring, and creating works of art with a graceful elegance that is typical of Kyoto pottery, while always pursuing exquisite expressions that cannot be achieved with commercial products, but are never overly flamboyant.
Pottery Artist "丹影 / Ni-Ei" Biography
2018 / The artist's name was changed to "丹影 / Ni-Ei"
2018 / The 40th Kyoto Ware and Kiyomizu Ware Exhibition, Kyoto Ceramic Wholesale Cooperative Association Chairman's Prize
Kyoto Ceramic Design Protection Association Chairman's Prize
2018 / The 60th Kyoto Iroe Ceramic Art Exhibition, Kyoto Newspaper Award
2020 / The 42nd Kyoto Pottery and Kiyomizu-yaki Ceramic Ware Exhibition, Kyoto Ceramic Ware Association Chairman's Prize
Certified as a traditional craftsman by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Recognized as “Future Master Craftsman” of Kyoto City Traditional Industries
