![[No.1] Living National Treasure Akihiro Maeta's Childhood and First Encounter with Crafts](https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/1775a3633c8b428d9f011c6a758a8a5c/240412c3efa94a86b60f159fbfa21986/OGP1.JPG?w=430&fm=webp&dpr=2)
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In Japan, pottery is so ingrained in the culture that it's practically a way of life. Countless enthusiasts, both professional and amateur, collect pottery and porcelain like Bizen and Echizen ware, and even TV appraisal shows have gained immense popularity. Among these ceramics, "hakuji" refers to a strikingly pure white porcelain that truly stands out. While Arita ware is widely recognized as its origin and remains highly popular in Japan, today's pieces are often decorated with paintings, making artists who create purely white hakuji a rarity.
Akihiro Maeta is one such artist, designated a Living National Treasure for his mastery of the hakuji technique. Working tirelessly at his potter's wheel (rokuro), he creates pieces that are a reflection of his inner vision. His works fuse a contemporary, curvaceous beauty with a pure white, glossy texture, allowing different viewers to see different landscapes within them. Maeta's art has earned high acclaim and has been showcased in museums across Japan and around the world.
