Journal

The way we’ve set up our bed at home shifted after our second child. We found ourselves wanting to be closer to the ground during those early days. Something easier to adapt with, where getting in and out didn’t feel fixed, and where the kids could come and go freely. We also wanted a setup that could move with…

In our kitchen we have all kinds of shelves. Open shelves, closed cabinets, and a wire wall system with thin rails and small movable racks. The latter shelf gets used more than any other. Between the four of us, we probably reach for something on it a couple dozen times a day. Cups, bibs, cloths, spoons, plates, teapots. It was never meant to be anything special…

We wanted to share this beautiful video from the Iwata atelier as we draw nearer to our upcoming exhibition of Iwata and their new line, Nezen. Iwata began as a futon maker in Kyoto in 1830 and continues to produce bedding using natural materials chosen for breathability, temperature regulation, and…

For our Contained Vessels exhibition, we asked Ryuji Mitani to share his thoughts on the containers that accompany everyday life. His reflections remind us that daily rituals are shaped not by grand objects, but by small gestures such as pouring tea, serving breakfast, storing letters, keeping tools close at hand. Below, in his own words, are the intentions behind a selection of pieces…

In museums, the crafts most often celebrated have been grand pieces: imposing jars, large plates, matcha bowls, lacquer boxes inlaid with mother-of-pearl. They astonish with their technique and carry the weight of history. Of course, they deserve to be admired and spoken about. Yet when I looked around my own life, I realized how far away…

Ten years ago, we opened our doors on 2 Extra Place with a handful of pieces we loved and the hope that a gallery could also be a space for connection. Since then, we’ve grown slowly and steadily. Not chasing momentum, just following what felt right and…

Earth and Ember was a rare opportunity to experience Keisuke Iwata’s work in person, marking his first solo exhibition in America. The show brought together his anagama pieces alongside a broad collection of daily tableware, each reflecting the quiet depth of his craftsmanship…

When I first heard the term “Anagama,” I actually didn’t know what it was. It’s a wood-fired kiln used to fire pottery—that’s all I knew. I had also heard that the interaction between flames and ash creates unique expressions…

As a child, I followed Popeye’s example and ate plenty of spinach. In the town where I grew up, there were no telephone booths, so I would hide in the storeroom, imagining myself soaring…