１２００年以上の歴史を持つ陶芸の里、信楽。

当社は社内に紫香楽研究所を組織し、「ジャパンカルチャーダイジング」をスローガンとして提唱しています。日本の文化、伝統の様式を再認識すると共に、市場が求める使用価値、デザインのニーズをすばやく的確に窯元に伝達し、共同事業による新製品開発に積極的に取り組んで参りました。

花器は永い間、信楽の主要な焼き物の一つとして各々の窯元が製造しておりますが、ライフスタイルが様変わりする中、住空間にあったデザイン、機能及び日本が育んできた伝統美を併せ持つ「新しい花器」の開発を志しました。

コンセプトは「磨き」。

形状、質感、色、手触り、機能性、信楽が従来生産してきた花器を現代的な視点から検証し、時に華道家の指導を仰ぎ、また陶芸家自身が花を学ぶことにより、完成度の高い製品に磨き上げることを意味しています。

こうして、今までにない理想のカタチがデザインされました。しかし、これらを製品として再現する工程は困難を極めました。

要求されるデザインに近づけるべく陶芸家たちは技術の限界に挑戦し、試行錯誤を繰り返しました。そして遂に、信楽陶工の常識を越え、魂を込めた新しい花器が誕生しました。

Shigaraki has more than 1,200 years history of pottery. Flower vases have long been among the major ceramic items of the area, encompassing a number of potteries. Since people's lifestyles have changed rapidly in recent years, there has arisen a need for the design and functionality of ceramic vases to suit modern living spaces. Setting up a research team in the company, Shigaraki Labo has studied market awareness about the usability, value, and design of flower vases, as well as re-examining Japanese culture and traditional styles. Communicating the study results quickly and precisely to potteries, we have set up joint projects and concentrated our efforts on the development of new products.

The concept is refinement.

Refinement in this context means to bring the product nearer to perfection. We achieve this by examining traditional flower vases produced in Shigaraki from today's viewpoint regarding form, texture, color, feel to the hand, and functionality, turning occasionally to flower arrangement masters for guidance, and encouraging potters to study flowers and blossoms.

Unprecedented ideal forms have thus been designed. However, to turn the designs into actual items was not without difficulty. To meet the design requirements as closely as possible, the potters were tested to their technical limits, repeating the process of trial and error, and threw their whole soul in the job. Finally, due to most of these Shigaraki potters going beyond their ordinary frame of mind, they have succeeded in delivering these novel vases.