White Nekonoshippo Bud Vase

We’re delighted to bring Japanese potter Aya Ogawa’s ceramics to the UK. Having studied under veteran potter Eric Landon, Aya handcrafts each unique piece in her Tokyo studio.

In Japanese there is a word 幸 (sachi) which translates as good fortune, and happy accidents. Aya’s craft embraces such serendipity, the unpredictability of nature and how it expresses itself differently for every piece. The unexpected expression of the glaze, because the kiln has changed, the season has changed, the atmosphere has changed, the makeup of the clay has changed. Each piece captures clay and nature at a certain time and place. And in turn a vase, and its blooms, introduce nature into a space. Nature and pottery and the hand of the potter become inextricably intertwined.

Contrary to its diminutive size, each vase projects its presence and warmth into the room. They’re pint size and in thrall to the seasons.

‘Nekonoshippo’ means ‘cat’s tail’ in Japanese, and for Aya it’s reflected in the shape of the vase: a round-bellied cat with a twirling tail.

“Plump cat belly. Greeting with a squiggly whizzing tail. Walking while swaying. The stove turned on and a nap with a cat's warmth.”