CENTELLA ROOTS

We met in the very first time in an August morning in 2018, in Saigon. We are Tuhu Ceramics and the author of “summer centella”.

We had chances to collaborate and then shared the same concern on “native Vietnamese elements” in Vietnamese ceramics. Which images could be regarded to the Vietnamese? Is it so familiar that could not be recognized? Or when being out of sight, that nostalgia might turn strong enough to recall us of something? We wonder if there could be anything with such descriptive power.

Two years later, the pattern of string-shaped centella roots was created because of those reflections. This “native Vietnamese element” might be inclined to the Southern shade, since from where we believed that no one has grown up without once eating a bow of centella soup or drinking a cup of centella juice. “summer centella” in our mind is a painting including Vietnamese elements: the native homeland (rễ – roots), the family meal (má – the centella soup cooked by mothers), the rustic and honest (mùa – countryside crops), all in a tropical atmosphere (hè – summer).

On ceramic techniques, we replaced the well-known cobalt blue of Tuhu Ceramics with the freshly youthful green as a new experimental idea. The “summer centella” pattern was hand- drawn in the also newly matte ivory glaze that Tuhu Ceramics first time had just successfully created in our own factory in Dakai, Vietnam.

Following the resounding success of the “Summer Roots” version launched in May 2020, we embarked on a new and promising journey together at the beginning of 2021. In this context, we decided to initiate a project of greater magnitude, with the idea of creating “Four Seasons of the Four Noble Ones” for the Roots product line.

With meticulous attention to detail, we have fully leveraged our inherent strengths, particularly the striking cobalt blue and traditional glossy glaze, to create products that are not only visually appealing but also rich in cultural and artistic depth. Each season in the Four Noble Ones will be a vibrant painting, reflecting the beauty of nature and the passage of time, promising to provide customers with fresh and exciting experiences.

Dakai, the place we’ve chosen for our factory, is situated in a region with fertile soil adjacent to the highlands of Lam Dong province, known for its vast reserves of basalt red soil. With the exceptional quality of the red clay here, we are genuinely excited to apply it in our Autumn Root version.

We experimented with various types of red soil, ranging from the thick, slightly brown clay from Bat Trang to clay sourced from the Quao River, mixed with sand. Despite the pandemic, our team has gathered in Dakai for 6 months and made the first batch, utilizing a traditional stone glaze enhanced with a milky white base to create a soft, translucent effect reminiscent of mist and smoke, perfectly capturing the essence of autumn. However, we did not succeed, as the soil contained too many impurities, and the desired misty effect was still elusive.

It wasn’t until early 2024, during an experiment with a new glaze, that we truly had our breakthrough. The milky white glaze, with its perfect matte finish over the red clay body, turned out to be simply magnificent. We could see tranquility emanating from the glaze; it encapsulated the Japandi aesthetic while remaining profoundly Vietnamese, thanks to the intricate patterns of the roots extending gracefully.

Thus, the Autumn Root series was born, embodying not only the beauty of simplicity but also the profound beauty of sacrifice.

The deep red glossy glaze in the work “Spring Roots” is an excellent choice, as it carries profound meanings associated with the traditional festivals of many Asian countries, especially the Vietnamese Tet. The color red symbolizes luck, happiness, and prosperity, while also evoking warmth and representing vibrant life, new beginnings, and hope. It is no coincidence that we always reserve a special place for spring, is it?

Against the brilliant red background, the pure white patterns resemble buds silently waiting, symbolizing purity and vibrant life. The striking contrast between the white and the deep red glossy glaze not only creates an attractive beauty but also evokes memories of joyful spring days when all beings begin to revive. In our journey of selecting colors for the patterns, we posed the question: Which color can simultaneously express purity and depict the resilient strength of the motherland, where new sprouts still rise despite all challenges? What color would create the perfect contrast when placed on a deep red glossy background that embodies Eastern aesthetics? White is not just a mere color choice; it is also a testament to the journey of connecting traditional culture with modern aesthetic thinking that Tu Hú has pursued throughout this time.

We have gone through a long journey of five years to turn this idea into reality. This time was not only spent on design and experimentation but also on the pursuit of perfection in every smallest detail. Each element in the “Spring” version has been meticulously crafted, from the color and texture of the clay to the color formula, as well as the training process for the team to ensure that production adheres to the design.

A pivotal change in this journey was the replacement of traditional white clay with basalt red clay while experimenting for the autumn centella —an easily accessible material found throughout Vietnam. We believe that using local materials not only creates a distinction but also brings sustainable value to ceramic products. This clay not only provides the fired ceramics with a fresh, unique color compared to what we have done before, but it also honors local materials, depicting the image of our homeland, a simple and gentle motherland, in every bowl and plate we create.

In the lively atmosphere of the spring of the Year of the Snake, we are delighted to announce the four seasons of centella roots collection: Spring – Summer – Autumn – Winter . This is not merely a collection of dishes and bowls, but the culmination of 5 years of waiting and dedication, representing our passion and affection for the pottery craft, as well as for Vietnamese culture and people.