What is this mysterious being covered with spiky protuberances? All of its faces stare out intently at the viewer. The artist, Shinichi Sawada, was born in Shiga Prefecture and remains active here. From childhood onward he enthusiastically made elaborate paper crafts and other things, but after meeting a pottery instructor at a social welfare organization-run workshop, he began working with ceramics. While employed at this facility, he produces his own work at a ceramics studio with a climbing kiln situated up in the mountains. Sawada’s work is distinguished by uniquely bold and robust modeling of forms, their surfaces entirely covered with small thorns and incised lines. His ceramics are highly acclaimed both in Japan and abroad, and have been exhibited at the Venice Biennale, the world’s preeminent contemporary art festival.