Studio Visit - Aico Tsumori
When I was @_designani in Japan for a two-month ceramic residency at @air_sccp, I had the chance to visit the studio of Aico Tsumori in Shigaraki, shares this vintage warehouse building with ceramicist Tetsuya Ishiyama @tetsuya_ishiyama
These photos captures Aico’s side of the space; a warm, character-filled corner where childhood imagination takes shape in clay. The studio was filled with shelves of whimsical figures inspired by her daughter’s drawings, each one quietly radiating care and playfulness.
A big thank you to Aico-san and Tetsuya-san for warmly welcoming us into your creative space, it was truly inspiring ✨
Photographs by @_designani - post via instagram @nani.visit
Aico Tsumori
(B. Japan, living in Shigaraki, Japan)
Aico Tsumori is a Japanese ceramic artist known for her whimsical three-dimensional sculptures that bring her daughter's drawings to life. Through a delicate balance of technical skill and emotional connection, she transforms childhood sketches into expressive ceramic figures that often depict rustic animals or human forms. These works capture the shared imagination between mother and child, blending playfulness with poetic depth. After earning her BFA from Kyoto City University of Arts in 2002, she joined the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park residency, where she continues to live and work. Her work has been exhibited internationally across Asia and the US, and she has received several awards, including the Shiga Prefectural Art Award and Second Prize at the Kikuchi Biennale.
Photographed by Nani P - post via instagram @nani.visit
