In May near Cambie and Broadway at Hide Ceramic works studio an Artisan Hide Ebina, Mishouryu style Ikebana, Omotesenke tea ceremony Vancouver kogura alliance Are the founding members of this Ikebana, Tougei(ceramic), and Sado(tea ceremony) collaboration. Hide is known for his many different types of ceramic pieces, working in mediums from earthenware to porcelain, making different types of pieces from tableware, vases, tea ceremony ware to lamps and aroma diffusers. He works on many ambitious projects often collaborating with other artists in different mediums such as music and video, and for the first this time with ikebana and Sado(tea ceremony). He believes that since ceramics have deep affiliations with Sado and ikebana from old it only seems natural that the people in these arts should also come together and enjoy the peaceful connection.

Hide believes by not following the exact Japanese tradition or borrowing heavy influence of the traditional art that these pieces although considered “Japanese” are something very different. Surely the same thing can be said for both Sado and ikebana as well, both are very old Japanese traditional arts however when the surrounding is different and when the traditional flowers and tea ceremony ware is not available the art adapts, if it does not it cannot evolve and move forward and be introduced to places like Canada.

One of the main consistencies in many of Hide’s works is the beautiful pure whiteness of the porcelain, it is uncommon to see pure white tea ceremony bowls or water pitches as many of them are traditionally earthenware. However Hide’s works with the white simplicity with the beautiful curves and bold characteristics gives each piece a contrasting and interesting flare.

The Sado master or teacher Donna Blendon Is Canadian and while learning Japanese and traveling through Kyoto, she was drawn to Sadou and started learning the ways of Sado. Now she is a Tea Master and has students of her own learning the way of tea.
She found using Hides non traditional white tea ceremony bowls interesting and refreshing change as in Sado you choose many of the tools and bowls depending on the location and the season, so naturally because of those many influences Sado has many dimensions and she finds that she never bores of the art.Hide says that instead of making just pieces that you would only find in galleries and shows he would like expanding more into making pieces that you can use in everyday life such as tableware, and vases. He finds this collaboration as a perfect opportunity to create many more and diverse pieces.

article by Mami Miyata, Vancouver Shimpo. Translated by Chihiro. all rights reserved.