Rebuilding Ocean Hue

The issue of sea desertification, in which seaweed beds are disappearing, is a serious problem in many countries around the world, including Japan. A major contributing factor to this environmental issue is the feeding damage caused by seaweed-eating organisms, such as sea urchins. In areas where seaweed beds have been depleted, sea urchins develop poor flesh quality, rendering them commercially worthless as food. As a result, they are left unfished and continue to multiply. Regular thinning of sea urchins is necessary to address the problem, but several challenges exist, including the availability of personnel for diving operations and budgetary constraints. The Rebuilding Ocean Hue collection explores the potential of using glazes made from thinned sea urchin shells. The colors derived from the combination of sea urchin shells and seaside materials unintentionally recreate the natural palette of the beautiful ocean.

Production cooperation: Rina Araki, GREENspearfishers
Technical support: Ceramic Research Center of Nagasaki
Special Thanks: Maruhiro Inc. , Koushungama, Urabe Kiji