In celebration of KYO AMAHARE’s second anniversary, the exhibition on the second floor will feature the works of ceramic artist Yuka Ando, under the theme “Fragments.”

“Until now, I’ve only chosen and presented finished pieces as my works. But recently, I’ve come to feel that the unfinished forms — the fluctuations born from trial and error — are what truly reflect who I am today.”
— Yuka Ando

Once striving for perfection, Ando stepped away from ceramics for a time. Yet, even in what she herself may see as incomplete, we find a quiet beauty born from her inner fluctuations. It is precisely this delicate tension — these fragments of memory formed along her creative path — that will gather within the space of KYO for this exhibition.

On Friday, November 21st, we will also host a tea gathering titled Danpen, where guests will have the chance to share tea with Ando herself. We warmly invite you to join us — both for the exhibition and the tea gathering — and experience the gentle resonance of imperfection and becoming.

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Exhibition Dates
November 21 (Fri) - December 2 (Tue), 2025
- No reservation required
- Closed on Wednesdays
- Hours: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Artist On-Site Dates
November 21 - 22        

Location
KYO AMAHARE @kyo_amahare
127 Aburaya-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8063
TEL: 075-256-3280
E-mail: kyo@amahare.jp

Yuka Ando × KYO TEAHOUSE

Tea gathering "Danpen"

At KYO TEAHOUSE, we will be hosting a tea gathering titled Fragments to coincide with Yuka Ando’s exhibition, opening on Friday, November 21st. The space and tea utensils will feature Ando’s works, creating an atmosphere that reflects her aesthetic sensibility.

On this special occasion, Ms. Ando herself will also join the tea gathering. We invite you to enjoy this one-day-only experience — a moment to savor both the thoughtful setting and the unique offerings prepared for the day.

Tea gathering "Danpen" @sabo.kyo_amahare

• Vessels: Yuka Ando
• Tea: Yurika Kanemitsu (KYO)
• Sweets: Konbuya Magobei
• Curator: Suguru Tokubuchi of Yorozu
• Guests: Yuka Ando

Date: November 21 (Fri)
Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Venue: KYO TEAHOUSE

Admission: 7,700 yen (tax included)
*A 10% service charge will be added to your bill.

Reservations: Available Here

Payment: Please complete payment via online credit card at the time of reservation.
Note: Cancellations within 24 hours of the event will incur a 100% cancellation fee.

Enjoy the unique ambiance and thoughtfully curated menu created exclusively for this special evening.

Photo / Yuka Yanazume @yuka_yanazume
Text / Kenichi Kaneko（AMAHARE）@amahare_kaneko

Plates or Objects ?

At a certain point, the labels “Plate,” “Bowl,” and “Vase” disappeared from Ms. Ando’s exhibition lists.
In their place now appear only numbers: “#1, #2, #3.”
I understand this shift as an expression of her wish that viewers encounter each piece from a neutral perspective, free from the constraints of predetermined function.

To you, what is this work?
A vessel? An object? Or perhaps something that belongs to neither category?

Lostness

“It might be best for me to step away from making ceramics for a while.”
Ms. Ando said this after her exhibition at Amahare Shirokanedai two years ago.
Sensing how strongly she had been navigating the boundary between “vessels” and “objects,” I couldn’t help but imagine that moving forward had become difficult for her.

Some time later, wanting to check in on her, I reached out.
Her reply came in her usual bright, clear voice:
“I’ve been spending peaceful days enjoying time with Mugi, my dog, and my family, and chatting with neighbors—simple moments I hadn’t had in a long while.”
I felt relieved to hear she was well, though it also left me with the impression that it might take a little more time before she returned to her practice.

Fragments

Two years have passed since then, and now we are preparing for her exhibition at KYO.
The title “Fragments” was chosen by Ms. Ando herself—an elegant and beautifully fitting name that feels very much like her.

Along with the title, she sent us this message:

“Until now, I selected only the completed pieces to present as works.
But now, I feel that the forms still in progress—the moments of fluctuation and trial—are what truly reflect my present self, and are what I wish to cherish.”

Up until then, my impression was that she had clearly separated her approach—this glaze for vases and objects, this glaze for everyday tableware.
But in this exhibition, which marks her return after a period of rest, even the works closer in form to “vessels” carry the rich variety of colors and textures that are unmistakably hers.

Seeing these expressions—so full of movement, uncertainty, and the will to keep moving forward—fills me with quiet joy.

Black

“Creating the mikomi — the inner curve of a tea bowl — is always the most challenging part,” Mr. Ando remarked after shaping several bowls. For this exhibition, he has prepared works in a variety of forms and colors. We are truly grateful for how he always meets — and exceeds — our expectations.

This black tea bowl is one he finished just in time for the photo shoot. As with the key visual, this exhibition will also feature pieces grounded in deep, quiet black tones. We are very much looking forward to seeing everyone’s reactions to these tea bowls at the tea gathering “Fragment,” held on the first day of the exhibition.

Yuka & Yuka

The visuals for this announcement were photographed by Yuka Yanazume, a photographer known for her ability to reveal the colors hidden within color itself. Her sensibility aligns beautifully with that of Yuka Ando.

After an early-morning shoot that began at 6 a.m., sharing saba-zushi together became a fond memory for all of us.

Japanese

In the alcove, Ando’s vase stands with quiet elegance.
Although she creates modern works with a distinctly global sensibility, she is, in fact, fond of traditional Japanese ceramics with a more subdued character. This piece—where a hint of that preference subtly emerges—is one of her personal favorites.

Colorful

The layered colors—mindful of the subtle gradations of the sky—are a signature of Ando’s work.
In this exhibition, you will find an array of pieces whose hues have gained even greater depth and richness.

Global

Among the works that arrived this time, the largest is this spherical objet.
When placed against a mortar backdrop, its perfectly rounded form transforms the townhouse space into something strikingly modern—almost unbelievable for a traditional Kyomachiya.

As commissions from luxury brands continue, Ando’s aspiration is to share her work on a truly global stage.
Fragments, the exhibition born from the “pieces” of emotional fluctuation encountered along that journey, brings together these moments of quiet transition and depth.

It is our sincere hope that Ando’s sentiments will resonate, drawing guests not only from across Japan but from around the world.
We look forward to welcoming you, together with Ms. Ando.