Utsuwa (Tableware) by Yukiko Ishimura

Yukiko Ishimura from Kuruminoki in Nara introduces a selection of cherished tableware she has encountered over the years, presented in five chapters with accompanying stories.

Long before the concept of a “lifestyle shop” existed, Kuruminoki pioneered this approach, blending a café and a boutique in Nara. The shop, which attracts fans from across Japan, carefully curates food and goods under Ishimura’s discerning eye. Among them, tableware has been a fundamental and deeply valued element in her life.

– As a teenager, Ishimura made her first purchase of white porcelain and blue-and-white ceramics at the Nogizaka Shrine antique market in Tokyo, guided by her aunt, who ran a traditional inn. This experience marked the beginning of her lifelong connection with tableware.
– Tea tools, bowls, cups, and glasses that complement moments of conversation, reflecting Ishimura’s love for cherishing time spent with others.
– Works by artists she deeply respects and trusts, including Ryuji Mitani, whom she considers particularly special, and Kazumi Tsuji, whom she was so drawn to after reading an article that she felt compelled to meet in person.
– Antique pieces from China and Korea, along with modern works by contemporary Korean artists that exude a sleek, modern aesthetic.
– In the final chapter, tableware crafted by a younger generation of artists—pieces that inspire a desire to grow alongside them.

From admiring established artists to forming connections with peers and now discovering and being surprised by emerging talents, Ishimura has gathered tableware that has captivated her eye—each piece a fateful encounter, each story a once-in-a-lifetime meeting.