I visited Konishi Yohei's workshop again in June 2012, shortly after he had completed a firing of his anagama wood-fired kiln.
This provided a rare opportunity to see a large number of newly fired teapots and ceramic works.
Every visit to his workshop reveals something different. Despite his decades of experience, Konishi Yohei continues to experiment with new ideas and approaches, producing pieces that are both imaginative and distinctive.
Konishi Yohei was particularly pleased with the results of this firing.
Among my visits to Tokoname over the years, this was one of the occasions when I encountered an exceptional number of outstanding pieces gathered in a single workshop.
The photograph on the left shows the interior of the kiln as it cooled after the firing process.
The striking blue color of these teapots is achieved by adding cobalt to the clay.
Konishi Yohei has long been interested in exploring how different clays, firing conditions, and materials influence the appearance of a teapot.
During my visit, Konishi Yohei showed me one hundred ceramic lanterns that he had created following the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011.
The lanterns were intended to honor and calm the souls of those who lost their lives in the disaster.
Every lantern was different, demonstrating both creativity and a remarkable commitment of time and effort.
At first glance, these lanterns appear to be cast bronze.
In fact, they are ceramic works, demonstrating the versatility of clay and firing techniques.
This garden corner was one of Konishi Yohei's favorite places.
He enjoyed harvesting vegetables from his garden and relaxing there with a glass of beer after work.
Moments like these reveal the personal side of a craftsman whose life has been closely connected with clay, nature, and Tokoname.