DAISUKE ANAYAMA
塩梅 - ANBAI: The Perfect Balance -
i GALLERY OSAKA presents “ANBAI,” a solo exhibition by ceramic artist Daisuke Anayama.
Anayama is based out of Seto, a land with historical roots reaching back over a millennium, and the accumulation of years spent working there with raw materials lingers on in his work as a quiet tension.
The subtle variations in the moisture of the clay, the layering of the glaze, the firing...
The artist—knowing that, with ceramic art, even minute variations in these variables affect a piece’s aura—carefully interprets each one and guides the inherent power of the material into form.
His deep understanding and respect for ancient Seto ceramics form the foundation of his artistic expression.
Yet his focus is not confined solely to reproducing the past, but moves effortlessly between tradition and modernity, as if adapting the essence of the material to the future. At the core of this thinking lies the concept of “Anbai,” which is also the theme of this exhibition.
The daruma figurines featured in this exhibition deliberately distance themselves from the idol narrative and instead present the “density of existence” in its pure form. Their hollow forms encapsulate both weight and lightness, stillness and motion, while the pooled glaze and scorch marks on their surface give a sense of vitality, as if the material itself were breathing. The anthropomorphic elements such as gaze and facial features are minimized, creating a rare balance at the boundary between symbolism and abstraction. Here, a space unfolds where the refined textures born of Seto clay and fire intersect with the artist’s finely tuned sensibilities.
Raw materials, history, and the present.
“Anbai” is where these converge to a single point yet also perpetually remain open.
Explore new horizons in ceramics through Daisuke Anayama’s journey of discovery.
DATES
JANUARY 17 - FEBRUARY 16, 2026
*WED-MON
OPENING RECEPTION
JANUARY 17 (SAT), 5-8PM
LOCATION
i GALLERY OSAKA
1F, 3-8-14, MINAMISENBA,
CHUO-KU, OSAKA-SHI,
OSAKA
ARTIST
DAISUKE ANAYAMA
"For me, creating Daruma figures is no different from making pottery. What matters most is the material itself.
How do I bring out its essence? Where can I find that perfect anbai, that ideal sense of balance?
The way I touch the clay, which tools I choose, how I apply the glaze, the firing, the finishing. The slightest shift in any of these completely transforms the character of the work.
The Ko-Seto ceramics I love so deeply possess this anbai in perfect measure. No matter how often I see them, their exquisite balance never fails to capture my heart.
As the boundaries between art, craft, and ceramics continue to blur and expand, I face this landscape with my own sense of anbai.
I create with the hope that one day, my pieces will stand alongside the ancient ceramics I have always revered."
-DAISUKE ANAYAMA
DAISUKE ANAYAMA
Pottery / Director of S U I Y O
・ Story
Born in 1981 in a nature-rich region of Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, and raised in a dairy farming family. Spending his childhood surrounded by cows and nature, playing amidst vast landscapes became the wellspring of his creativity. While helping with farm work and working closely with soil and water, he became fascinated by the inherent vitality of natural materials and developed a sensitivity to nature’s essence, an experience that remains deeply rooted in his ceramic work today.
He majored in ceramics at an art university, studying both art and craft. After graduation, encounters with numerous ceramic artists and researchers, as well as exposure to Japanese and Chinese antiques, led him to realize that the true value of a work lies not in its age or novelty, but in the inherent character of the material itself.
As a professional artist, he began creating both sculptural objects and tableware, and in 2013 founded Suiyo together with his wife, Ayaka. Alongside his personal artistic pursuits, he has continued to produce functional tableware in their studio. Since 2023, he has embarked on crafting one-of-a-kind Daruma figures as a means of pursuing a more personal form of expression. Drawing upon his extensive knowledge and experience in ceramics, he strives to reveal essential beauty, continuing his exploration of expressions that bridge past and present, nature, and human life.
・ Concept
"Tearing apart the old, breaking through the present”—This Zen phrase embodies the idea of not being bound by the past, breaking free from it, and not being confined by novelty. The essence of quality lies always in its fundamental nature.
While respecting the techniques and aesthetics of the past, I do not allow them to constrain me. Instead, I seek the strength to create what is truly needed in this era. In my work, I cherish the forms and spirit of the past while transcending them to draw out new sensations and possibilities. By discerning the essence of things and breathing life into each material, I strive to create works that connect to the future.
1981 Born in Tochigi Prefecture,Japan
2005 Graduated from Tohoku University of Art & Design
2007 Completed the ceramic training course at Seto City New Century Crafts Center
2006 Gold Prize, Oribe no Kokoro Ceramic Exhibition
2008 Selected, International Ceramics Festival Mino
2013 Opened SUIYO（my studio）in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture,Japan
2023 Reorganized and rebranded the kiln as “SUIYO,” marking a new chapter for the studio
Instagram: @ana0929
Homepage: Link
SUIYO
Instagram: @suiyo_2013
Homepage: Link