Ingegerd Råman × Porcelain / Koransha [Story1] Archive of memories

The origins of the porcelain cups that feature in Hamacho Hotel’s guest rooms can be traced back to Tokyo CraftRoom. Developed through the project’s second collaboration, the drinking vessels presented a new challenge forSwedish designer Ingegerd Råman and Arita porcelain maker Koransha.

Research is an ongoing pursuit for Ingegerd Råman, the designer and potter whose extensive body of work spans almost six decades. Filled with endless curiosity, she is constantly observing and examining the world around her. “Everything I do is going to become a part of me,” explains Råman. As simple as her designs may seem, their functional forms are inspired by the sum of her experiences. “Collaborations provide an opportunity to learn,” she says. “I think that all creative people want to better themselves a little bit each day. If you can start to see differently or understand more, the extra knowledge will provide another input into your design.”

Two years after the release of her first collaboration with Arita-based porcelain maker Koransha, Råman has returned to the historic kiln town to start a new chapter in their partnership. Founded in 1875 and renowned for producing a range of high-quality wares, Koransha worked with the designer to develop a functional, stackable tea set for the Arita 2016/ project. The collaboration resulted in strong relationships that will form the basis of their work for Tokyo Craft Room. “What stood out was the knowledge of Koransha’s specialists, from mould makers to glaze masters, and their will to work together in the same direction,” says Råman. 

Stepping inside Koransha’s expansive factory complex, Råman’s curiosity emerges as she passes through a series of workshops. “Something new always comes from asking about a process or tool, edging it a little further forward,” she says with a smile. Later, while inspecting swatches from a range of glaze experiments, she reveals her interest in the maker’s elaborate decorations. Watching the painters at work revealed the beauty of the delicate outlines that shape the decorations, exposed for a fleeting moment before being rendered near-invisible by layers of colour. The factory not only provides her with an insight into the act of making, but a chance to witness scenes that lie hidden within a process.

At a meeting table in one of the workshops, Råman shares her observations and ideas for the Tokyo Craft Room project. A selection of tableware has been assembled and as the discussion shifts to her proposal, a mouth-blown glass takes centre stage. Designed during her time at Skruf Glassworks, the Bellman glass was the result of a close collaboration with a highly skilled glass blower. Taking the glass in her hand, she explains the design, highlighting the sense of material, evidence of the maker and an organic form that is consistent but not uniform. Using the glass as a reference, she proposes building upon its characteristics to produce a handcrafted porcelain vessel. 

For Koransha’s production team, who exclusively use mould-made forms finished with immaculate precision, bringing Råman’s idea to life presents a unique challenge. The designer’s experience as a potter inspires an unplanned detour to meet several Arita-based porcelain makers ― fellow members of the Arita 2016/ project ― to discuss the possibility of creating handmade forms on the pottery wheel. The research trip concludes with more questions than answers, yet the foundations have been laid for a new collaboration, supported by the knowledge and experience of the broader Arita community. 

>>Continued in Story 2

Ingegerd Råman

インゲヤード・ローマン

Ingegerd Råman is one of Sweden’s most renowned designers of glass and ceramics. Simplicityand timelessness are the key characteristics of her work that have helped Råman enjoy acareer of longevity and success. She creates objects that are balancedand discreet but alsowarm–a feeling of joy and beauty are inherent in her works. Råman believes her objects donot come to life until they are used.Multifunctionality plays a large role in her designs and pieces can often be combined with oneanother and reassembled in various combinations. Råman has designed for several importantScandinavian and international manufacturers, most notably Johanfors Glass, Skruf andOrrefors. Her work is exhibited by museums such as the National Museum of Fine Arts inStockholm, the Corning Glass Museum, The National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo, CraftsGallery. Raman haswon the Excellent Swedish Design Award no less than 17 times.

Koransha Co. Ltd

株式会社 香蘭社

Koransha was founded as a maker and exporter of Arita porcelain in 1875 by Eizaemon Fukagawa and three partners. After the company was dissolved in 1879, Eizaemon founded Koran, the company that would later become Koransha. The company developed Japan’s first porcelain insulator and this made a significant contribution to the modernisation of Japan when it was used in the construction of the telegraph line between Tokyo and Nagasaki. Today, the company relies on three core product groups: porcelain art, electrical insulators and fine ceramics. It owns a series of printing technologies and has the ability to create plaster molds using an NC modeling machine as well as having a selective colour glazing capability – a high level of quality control is always sought.

www.koransha.co.jp