Kobayashi learned his craft in Mashiko, moving there from his nearby hometown of Haga in his early 20s. He committed himself to practicing the Mashiko pottery traditions, establishing his own kiln there in 2011 and embracing local materials, working extensively with Mashiko clay and making his own materials by burning rice straw and husks for use in glazes. His early works recognised in his selection for 'Modern Tea Ceremony - Function and Form' exhibition in 2012.

Now relocated back to Haga, Kobayashi-san's works reflect the warm-toned, rustic character inherent to Mashiko's iron-rich clay, while exhibiting his unique glazing and firing techniques to exquisite effect. His sense for melding traditional form with contemporary design is demonstrated across his works from vases, bowls, plates and coffee mugs.