白磁の人間国宝・井上萬二さん（91）新型コロナ収束後にやりたいこととは (21/01/09 12:55)

Inoue Manji, a Living National Treasure for white porcelain, began making pottery at age 16 and turns 92 this year. What would he like to do as soon as COVID-19 is over? [Living National Treasure Inoue Manji] "I'll be 92 in March. If I start thinking about age, my work will fade, and so will I myself. So I don't think about age. I have to stay active and remain a perpetual youth." Speaking with a calm expression, Inoue Manji, a Living National Treasure for white porcelain, speaks. The beauty of his form is said to be the essence of white porcelain. Inoue's white porcelain is created in his workshop in Arita Town. [Living National Treasure Inoue Manji] "After the war, I returned from the Air Force Preparatory School in 1945 and was asked to take over the Arita pottery business, so I began my training. So it's been exactly 75 years. "I've been working on it for 75 years." After 75 years of devoting myself to pottery, 2020 was not what Inoue would call a "good year." [Living National Treasure Inoue Manji] "(2020) was the worst year. The coronavirus pandemic was rampant, and my child died unexpectedly." Last August, Inoue's eldest son, Yasunori, who had been creating a new world of white porcelain as Inoue's successor, passed away. He was 62 years old. [Living National Treasure Inoue Manji] "I hate visiting the Buddha every day. I hate looking at photos. It still brings tears to my eyes." Inoue's emotional support comes from his grandson, Yuki, who began his career as a potter in 2012. Living National Treasure Inoue Manji: "I have to train my grandson, so in about 10 years he'll understand the nature of pottery, management, and all other aspects, so I need him to live another 10 years." Grandson Yuki (32): "We end up arguing. We're in different times, in different ways, in different ways of thinking, from work to life. They say I'm the only one in my family who stands up to Manji." Yuki laughs, but it seems Inoue's feelings are clearly conveyed. Grandson Yuki (32): "There's still a lot I don't understand, but I have no choice but to do it. I have expectations from those around me, and I need to fulfill the legacy my father left undone." The first firing of the year marked the start of work. Approximately 200 pieces were brought out. [Living National Treasure Inoue Manji] "The result was almost perfect. I'm looking forward to this being a good year. Yuki's work also has an interesting idea. The result isn't bad, but the idea is interesting. If I can master my skills over the next 10 years and pursue the ideas I love, nothing will be able to beat this." What are your goals for this year? [Living National Treasure Inoue Manji] "I had been talking about going to New York and having a solo exhibition in the United States, but since I wasn't able to travel abroad in 2020 due to COVID-19, I'm motivated to go and hold an exhibition in 2021 as soon as the coronavirus pandemic is over." He is starting his 76th year as a potter with the hope that this year will be a good one.