On the other end of the phone, Mr. Hanaoka was in high spirits as always, happily telling what he's been up to recently. He is one of a kind who includes the sentiment of "enjoy life" in his work, too. He was born surrounded by nature in Hokkaido and has been making pottery, mainly kohiki and kokuto black pottery, in Izu Shuzenji, Shizuoka Prefecture, since 1990.On his blog, as well as his profession in ceramics, this master of the art of living also writes about his many various hobbies, such as jazz, wine, travel and mountain biking:
 "We are given the luxurious blessings of nature and I want there to be bowls that are like this." "The world of cycling is yet another place for me to be." "When I view the green of Izu Shuzenji from my room, I become filled with a pleasant feeling."  "Even in the process of building something up, there is meaning." "In pottery, the important thing is to first of all get along with the soil." "As with people, each individual crafted work will become different." "I gently put in some flowers taken from the mountain behind my home. When I did so, a strong presence was then projected." "When living surrounded by nature, you are able to see different colors everyday."
 His pottery is centered around nature, food, music and fun. The importance of "On" and "Off" time in daily life is conveyed in Mr. Hanaoka's words. Vessels are important items for complementing food. To enjoy this time the most, it is best to have good food made with great ingredients, soothing sake and a friend you are able to talk together with. From his obsession of the "living", these newly shaped vessels have been created.
 The area around the workshop is overflowing with nature. His style, spacious and playful, is similar to his own way of living and is continuing to attract more and more appreciators of such vessels.