One by one, he takes his time to create pieces he is truly satisfied with. His pieces highlights the lushness inherent in clay's natural materiality, expressing a rustic feel that matures with age.

Though the vessels are roughly textured with small pebbles at first glance, they eventually become smooth through age and use. His vessels puts the beverage on centre stage, bringing out their true colours.

Tsurumi's straightforward personality translates into the inherent honesty his work. Over the 20 plus years of his ceramics career, he has perfected one technique without seeking drastic changes to the artistic expression, or a change to his working environment.

He accepts things as they are without hesitation and immerses himself in them. Watching his demeanour, one almost feels as though one is speaking to a serene monk. It is perhaps precisely because he embodies this sense of calm that Mr Tsurumi’s pottery is so unpretentious and natural, making it something one always wants to keep close at hand.

He shares a workshop using gas-kilns with other potters and has been doing so for at least 20 years.

• 1967 Born in Tokyo
• 1991 Graduated Tokoname City Ceramic Research Institute
  Established studio in Tokoname
  Begin showing in solo and group exhibitions
• 1992 Selected for the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition
• 1996 Selected for Floral Vessel Biennale
• 1998 Received the Encouragement Award at the 6th ‘Flower Ceramics Exhibition’
  1999 Received the Newcomer Award at the 7th ‘Flower Ceramics Exhibition’