Osamu Saruyama's Pots Highlight the Culinary Experience

Osamu Saruyama is a Japanese designer who focuses on subtlety and imperfection to highlight experience. When you eliminate decoration from ceramic objects you are left with the design and evidence of process in the spotlight. This type of work directs the user to focus on the color of the food, the weight of the cup, the texture of surface and the sharpness of the lip.

This series is a collaboration between designer Osamu Saruyama and ceramic artist Iyama Mikiko. The work in the series functions in two ways: to contain and deliver food, and to highlight the sensual experience of eating.

Analogue Life describes the The Ceramic Works for Table series collaboration, “The pottery will gradually change color over time as it absorbs various liquids. The pleasure of seeing a favorite piece take on a different character is both expected and appreciated in Japan and should not be viewed as a defect. Each piece in this series will vary slightly in size and shape.”

Saruyama is a multi-talented artist with a passion for design, ceramics, and music. He is based in Japan, where he owns a gallery shop in Tokyo’s Azabu Juban district and a design studio ‘Guillemets Layout Studio,’ which creates graphics as well as product design. All of his designs, in metal, clay, or digital, all adhere to a minimal aesthetic focused on user experience. You can find his work in the shop Analogue Life, which has a selection of his pottery available. You can see how his pottery relates to his product design, including posters, flatware, and lamps, on his website.

What do you think about the work staining with food over time? Tell us in the comments!