A Demonstation by Takuro Shibata - Photos by Charmaine Johnson
Takuro Shibata is a Japanese ceramics artist living in Seagrove, North Carolina. Known for his skill in hand-building and coiling, he combines traditional Japanese techniques with the unique local clays of North Carolina. I had the pleasure of watching a demonstration of how he forms his art. His work is shaped by both his craft and his journey—from Japan to Seagrove, blending cultures through clay.
Takuro Shibata works with a quiet intensity, his hands moving with a practiced fluidity that speaks to years of experience. Though his motions are quick, there is a gentleness to the way he molds the clay—an understanding that this material, pulled from the earth, responds best to patience and care. His soft-spoken explanations mirror this approach; he does not rush through the process but instead lets each step unfold naturally, guiding the clay as much as he guides his audience.
During his demonstration, Shibata introduced us to the coiling method, a technique essential for creating larger ceramic pieces. With steady hands, he built layers of clay, carefully smoothing and reinforcing each one. As he worked, he spoke about his journey—why he left Japan and how he found a new home in Seagrove, North Carolina, a region renowned for its deep-rooted pottery traditions. His passion for the craft extends beyond shaping clay; he has dedicated time to researching the local materials, exploring how North Carolina’s unique soil composition influences his work.
My photographs capture different moments of this process: the rich, textured clay he has been studying, the careful kneading that prepares it for shaping, and the transformation that takes place under his skilled hands. Each frame reflects not just technique but a philosophy—one that balances tradition with discovery, speed with precision, and quiet artistry with deep intention.
