The Legacy of the Shima Family Kiln

Born in 1979 in Bizen, Okayama Prefecture, Shima Daisuke (嶋 大祐) continues the proud lineage of the Shima family kiln, renowned for its deep roots in Japan’s traditional Bizen pottery (Bizen-yaki). He is the son of Shima Yukihiro, a master potter recognized as a bearer of Bizen’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

After graduating from the Bizen Pottery Center in 2000, Daisuke refined his craft in Shigaraki - another historic ceramic hub - before returning to his hometown to devote himself to the Bizen tradition. His work reflects the spirit of wabi-sabi: rustic beauty, quiet strength, and timeless imperfection.

Technique and Kiln Tradition

Daisuke Shima fires his pieces in a traditional noborigama (climbing kiln), using red pine wood for over 10–14 days. Each vessel is carefully placed to invite the natural alchemy of fire and ash - producing distinctive yōhen (kiln transformation) and goma (sesame ash spots) effects. This demanding process yields textures and hues that no glaze could replicate.

His signature creations include bottles, jars, and tokkuri (sake flasks) characterized by rich reddish-brown tones and organic ash patterns. Each work embodies the unpredictable poetry of fire - raw, tactile, and profoundly human.

Artistic Vision and Recognition

As a member of the Bizen Design Association (備前焼陶友会), Shima Daisuke belongs to a new generation of potters redefining Bizen’s heritage. His works have been showcased in prominent exhibitions in Japan and beyond, earning acclaim from collectors and galleries for their authentic yet contemporary spirit.

His approach celebrates the soil of Bizen itself - shaped, fired, and transformed without glaze or embellishment. Each piece reflects a deep respect for material, time, and tradition, while resonating with modern minimalism and balance.

Continuing the Bizen Flame

Representing the second to third generation of the Shima lineage, Daisuke preserves the family’s time-honored wood-firing techniques. Beyond his own practice, he teaches and supports younger potters in Bizen, helping to revive historical kilns and share this ancient art with the world.

In every vessel, Shima Daisuke bridges the centuries - keeping alive the fire that has burned in Bizen for over a thousand years, while giving it new voice through his thoughtful, tactile creations.