Etsuko Miki Associate Professor

Research overview

Exploring the possibilities of ceramics in new styles
while passing down the techniques and traditions of Arita-yaki. Using Arita-yaki to harness the appeal of the Hizen area
Focusing on ceramics as an industry, I research the design expression of industrial ceramics in Arita, the birthplace of Japanese porcelain, as well as the new possibilities that it offers. At the same time, I am conducting fieldwork in the Hizen ceramics area as a venue for learning, working on activities that draw on Arita’s long-cultivated potential.

■Fusing traditional techniques with new materials and technologies
Even Arita, the birthplace of Japanese porcelain with 400 years of history, is facing a challenging situation in terms of traditional industry. This stems from problems such as difficulty in finding successors, a shortage of labor, price competition, and the depletion of raw materials. In light of this reality, I am thinking of ways that it can continue to exist as an industry that links to the future, while still carefully maintaining the techniques, technologies, and knowledge that Arita has refined through trial and error over the course of its history of ceramics.
One of those is to research ceramics using new materials and digital design tools, such as 3D printers. Some potteries are already working on this with an eye to the future, but I think the challenge will be how to integrate the expertise and sensibility of the artisans with digital technology.

■Sustainability initiatives that meet the needs of the times
While learning from traditional crafts, folk art, and other wonderful products underpinned by the principles of Japanese culture, I would like to reflect the culture and ideas inherent in industry, design, and ceramics in everyday ceramics making. Meanwhile, I am exploring the possibilities of ceramics to meet the needs of the times by focusing on sustainable initiatives, such as research into the use of silicon materials to replace plaster molds, which end up as industrial waste, and the application of research into the reuse of waste products generated by the ceramics manufacturing process.
In addition, since pottery emits carbon dioxide when it is fired, this will become an issue in the future from the perspective of recent global environmental issues and the SDGs.

Historically speaking, Arita is a town that has developed through exchange with foreign countries. The Arita campus also operates the “SPACE-ARITA” academic exchange program, and is placing great emphasis on the education of international students. We have accepted international students from the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle in Germany, the Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands and so on, and we are conducting a program specializing in ceramics while providing mutual inspiration.
Going forward, I would like to continue my research by getting involved with people from various fields in Japan and overseas, and by building relationships that will allow me to showcase not only ceramics but also the qualities that Arita and Hizen have to offer.

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  (1) bubble, 2021, L: W225×D210×H60(mm); S: W150×D150×H47(mm)
  (2) Ring, 2013, φ240×H55(mm)
  (3) house, 2013, φ243×H10(mm)
  (4) Hibi, 2020, Bowl: W187×D110×H37(mm); Plate: W188×D110×H17(mm);
  　 Bowl and plate stacked: W188×D110×H40(mm)

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  (1) Workshop at the Design Academy Eindhoven in the Netherlands
  (2) (3) Presentations and classes by exchange students from Germany and the Netherlands
  (4) Fieldwork in Arita Town: at the Izumiyama-kuchiya guardhouse
  (5) (6) Fieldwork in Arita Town: at the Sueyama Shrine