Although Keicondo has been involved with the pottery industry since he was a child, he didn't want to become a potter at the time.

"I was born in an area where pottery has been popular since ancient times, and I grew up as the son of a potter. There were good things about being born, but I also wanted to live a life away from pottery. The more I learned about reality, the more I couldn't imagine myself becoming a potter. But when it came time to go to college, I decided to give it a try, and enrolled at Kasama Ceramic College. The yellow that has now become my identity is a color I've loved since childhood, and I created it into pottery through trial and error. I don't mind having CalorieMate bars all over my room because I love the yellow color (laughs)."

My roots in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture and Ethiopia <br data-mce-fragment="1">Kasama City is where my father, who discovered his passion for pottery, emigrated from Ethiopia to Japan and began living. It flourished as a castle town around Kasama Castle, which was built during the Kamakura period, and is surrounded by beautiful mountains with the gentle Yamizo mountain range to the northwest. The area is blessed with abundant resources such as granite and natural water. It is known as the birthplace of Kasama ware, the oldest type of pottery in the Kanto region, and like neighboring Mashiko ware, it has been loved as a type of pottery that is familiar in everyday life. In 1950, the Ibaraki Prefectural Ceramics Training Center was established, and today the Kasama Ceramic College is a place that has produced many pottery artists.
Another part of Keicondo's roots is in Ethiopia, where his father was born. When he was posted to Bolivia as a member of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, he came into contact with the Inca civilization and was able to find his identity in the vivid colors that evoke the sun, which are his unique style.

Sun-like tableware loved by chefs
KEICONDO's tableware has been featured at the pop-up restaurant "Noma Kyoto" held at Ace Hotel Kyoto in March 2023, and is ordered by top chefs and restaurants around the world.

"I believe that good tableware is one that allows the ingredients and food to come to life. On the table, the food is always the main focus. I strive for warm colors and shapes that add color. Whether it's artistic cuisine or leftover pizza from a party the night before, tableware should make the food look delicious when placed on it. That's my ideal. Therefore, I often solidify my image through conversations with chefs, and incorporate the insights I gain from this into my work, which may be why chefs like it."

From Artist
When I brought my yellow tableware to a gallery a long time ago, I was scolded and told that "yellow tableware is difficult." Still, I searched for a color that I felt was pleasing, and experimented with various clays, glazes, firing temperatures and times, until I arrived at the color I have today. And with the trend in cooking, my tableware has become more and more popular with many chefs. I think colored tableware has now become quite accepted by society.

I believe that my creations, whether they are plates or flower vases, are for the people who will use them. Therefore, rather than continuing to think in silence alone, my work is often created through communication and exploration. I am currently planning to build a lodging facility with a kitchen, so I think I will be able to create more experimental and powerful works in the future. Please look forward to it!