E-Yakimono

Sad News; Another Giant and Great......is gone.

2008-04-19T08:38:00.003+09:00

Yet the stellar work remains forever; Tsuji Seimei, R.I.P. What a great man and potter; more photos next week, in Japanese here: http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20080418-00000020-mai-peo

Tsuji Seimei was one of the greatest ceramic artists in all of Japanese history! He started potting as a teenager and continued firing up until last year. His works embodied all the good in Japanese ceramic art and spirit. A few articles I wrote can about Tsuji can be read at www.e-yakimono.net
I met him many times---yet only visited his home once--and he was always gracious and warm; we once went to Mishima's famous Zen Temple Ryutakuji together with his wife and also wonderful potter Kyo to view the annual hanging of the scrolls. Afterwards we had lunch at Mishima's also famous unagi restaurant Sakuraya. In his day Tsuji was a heavy sake drinker--known as the 'Yokozuna of the East' (Fujiwara Ken was the Yokozuna of the West, Tsuji's shuki are the best!) and thus it's no surprise that he passed away on April 15th from liver cancer at the age of 81. What more to say; a lone wolf potter, who had a deep-profound understanding and appreciation of Japanese art from all of history, is gone. Long Live Tsuji's spirit and his timeless art!

Koie Ryoji Exhibition at at Paramita Museum

2008-03-18T15:23:00.002+09:00

Inoue Taishu--Shodai Master Potter---50 Years On.

2008-02-19T11:18:00.003+09:00

Inoue Taishu(b.1941) is a ceramic artist who should be recognized as a Living National Treasure for Shodai-yaki. As every worthy potting center needs a LNT, or simply a leader, without a doubt for Shodai-yaki it's Inoue-sensei. He first studied in Kyoto with Morino Kako (1959) and then studied at the Takemiya kiln(1960) with the first Chikashige Jitaro. A few years later he established his own kiln in Kumamoto in 1965 and then built a noborigama kiln at the base of Mt.Shodai in 1968. It's there he pots today still. His career and awards are too long to list here yet he is well represented in major exhibitions, and his work has been presented to the current Emperor--at the latter's request. To celebrate this humble, yet extraordinary folk potter's career, a fifty-year commemorative exhibition is being held at the Kumamoto Prefectural Traditional Crafts Center until March 2nd. Information in Japanese only is available at http://cyber.pref.kumamoto.jp/kougei/asp/kikaku/kikaku_frm.asp
Also, a new book about Inoue was published for the celebration and is available for 2,600 yen. ISBN978-4-87755-299-2. A few works of Inoue's will be placed on www.japanesepottery.com today.

A Few Recent Publications

2008-02-12T14:27:00.000+09:00

Sakai Motoki, former editor of now deceased magazine TOHJIRO, has stuck out on his own and recently took under his direction two new books. The first is a first of its kind, intense close-up shots of quite famous antique works, most dating to the 16th-18th centuries with the exception of a 12th-13th century Chines Tenmoku chawan, which is featured on the cover. Many styles of Tea wares are shown as well as porcelain masterpieces. The three chapters are Chanoyu Pottery, Kyo-yaki and Raku Chawan and Imari-Arita Iro-e Jiki-Porcelain. All in Japanese only, with the exception of photo name and a brief description of each work in the back. The ISBN number is 978-4-06-214334-9 and the book is priced at 3,200 yen. The next book is...well...about the beauty of blue and white toilets, titled 'Blue and White Pottery Toilets of Olden Times/Through Beauty, A Spirit of Purity.' Again, this book has fine photography and shows many examples of these 'works of art' as well as images of traditional settings. In Japanese only and the ISBN number is978-4-87275-405-6 and is priced at 1,500 yen. The last publication is the quarterly DARUMA and in this particular issue is an article I wrote about the Muse Tomo Museum in Tokyo. Daruma's homepage can be viewed at http://www.darumamagazine.com/

Bizen in the Spotlight; Lights, Camera......

2008-01-22T14:17:00.000+09:00

One of Japan's best art programs is the somewhat comical, yet very informative program on NHK called Bi-no-Tsubo (Beautiful Jar/ Japanese only web site at:
> http://www.nhk.or.jp/tsubo/). It airs each Friday evening and focuses on some artistic apsect of Japanese culture, from an airing on tatami mats, to sushi, to Rosanjin. Late last year a producer called our gallery and requested that we open up the gallery--and an interview with Robert--to show and talk about Bizen pottery. Of course we were honored and said sure. The four-team film crew arrived on Jan. 15th and filming took all day; most likely for a fifteen second slot in the program. The next day the team headed to Okayama where they visited a great restaurant Hamuro (see previous blog photo of huge Kaneshige Toyo boat tokkuri) and then they visited Isezaki Jun--the current Living National Treasure--and not sure where else; guess I'll have to watch the program. The program will be shown on Feb. 29th--Leap Year fortune?--and we hope to have some video or DVD to offer; of course the program is in Japanese only. Some photos from the day......

Blessings Abound/Happy New Year!

2008-01-08T14:37:00.000+09:00

It's said a dream of Mt.Fuji for one's first dream of the year is a sure sign of impending fortune and good luck. Well, to spread an 'image dream' of Mt.Fuji to bring good fortune to all who visit this blog, I share with you a photo I took of Fuji-san from Suruga Bay, Numazu on New Year's Day: Wishing all a wonderful 2008 full of days just as you like them. From today's Japan Times about Mt.Fuji:http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20080108i1.html

Yakimono and Bonsai in Italy

2007-12-27T14:09:00.000+09:00

In northern Italy is the lovely city of Turino, surrounded by the Italian Alps and home to many wonderful museums and churches. The most prestigious museum in Turino is the Palazzo Bricherasio(www.palazzobricherasio.it) and until January 6th, 2008 it's hosting an exhibition featuring bonsai made by local Bonsai master Massimo Bandera(http://www.fkbbonsai.com/) and ceramic art by Italian potter Alessandro Beghini(http://www.beghiniceramics.it/), American ceramic artist Jeff Shapiro(http://www.jeffshapiroceramics.com/) and Tokyo-based tougeika Higashida Shigemasa(http://www.soshintougi.com/english/index.html). I flew there for a press conference and the opening on Dec.13th; the opening was very well attended and I hear about 1000 persons a day are continuing to visit the exhibit. Outside of the regal museum is where the bonsai are displayed and one has to cross over a traditional Japanese arched bridge to view them. Inside on the second floor is where the ceramics are, both foreign potters deeply influenced by Japanese pottery and of course Higashida being a Shino and Oribe master. On Dec.16th at a local hotel was held a conference in which I gave a brief talk on the yakimono scene here in Japan and also introduced a few important contemporary ceramic artists. A video was made and I hope to be able to offer that. In the meantime, please enjoy some photos from the exhibit; if you happen to be so lucky as to be in Torino, by all means go! The event was sponsored by many local entities, yet the main one is an incredible local martial arts center headed by Cesare Turtoro; the name is Yoshin Ryu: http://www.yoshinryu.com/
May 2008 be a year of deep joy in each moment and continual inner light that shines the road for you with each step......

Shimaoka Tatsuzo--A True Treasure--R.I.P.

2007-12-20T14:27:00.000+09:00

Upon my return from Italy I was very saddened to hear of the passing away of Shimaoka Tatsuzo. From an email from Matsuzaki Ken: 'Shimaoka-sensei was hospitalized due to the
cerebral infarction on November 13. He seemed to recover once; however, I
am sorry to say, in spite of a cordial treatment, he passed away at 23:05
on December 11 from the chronic heart disease. Shimaoka-sensei's exhibition started at
Ginza, Tokyo, from December 5. It was a regret that he could not see
it. He had been concerned about the show to the last day, December 11, and he passed away quietly after knowing it was over successfully. I truly admire his mental
power. Shimaoka Kei will take over the studio.'
I had the honor of visiting Shimaoka-sensei on many occasion and he was always very cordial even with his extremely busy schedule. The end of an era for Mashiko. From the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/23/nyregion/23shimaoka.html?ref=obituaries

Scenes from an Autumn Tea Party

2007-11-22T13:56:00.000+09:00

Smack in the middle of Tokyo, a forest! Hard to believe yet there I was--albeit a teeny forest--for an afternoon of Tea hosted by Ajiki Hiro, chawan master and all-around funky walking art. With
all his joking aside, he is a very deep thinker, Tea historian and taking Tea in the now. Here are a few shots from the brilliant afternoon.

Japanese 'Pots' Hit The Big Time....and your haiku please!

2007-11-14T14:29:00.000+09:00

Any articles or books on contemporary Japanese ceramics are usually most welcome for any yakimono enthusiast, and before the advent of the Internet--and my decade long Japan Times column--there was the odd article in Arts of Asia or Orientations, yet never in a mainstream art publication, and thus information was very hard to come by. This holds fairly true even today although we have seen a few recent books including 'Fired with a Passion'(good, yet directed more by a single collector then the co-author/dealer(Playboy bunny cover?) and 'Toji'(if French is your language, superb) and a neat guidebook to visiting kilns titled 'Modern Japanese Ceramics' that all are most welcome--basically---additions to any library. So, it was a major surprise to see an article in Art in America about the groundbreaking 'Contemporary Clay--Japanese Ceramics for the New Century' exhibition held in Boston and New York. I wrote a review of the New York exhibition and it can be read here: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fc20061207ry.html The author of the AIA article is Leila Philip and her book 'The Road to Miyama' (Random House, 1989) is a fine read about her apprenticeship with a Japanese potter, as for what she has to say in AIA, please pick up a copy ASAP! Her quote seen shows still how little the 'west' knows about what goes on here; 'international stereotype' from whose perspective?! And thus again the importance of this exhibition, this article, and of Halsey and Alice North's vision, of whose collection the exhibition is mostly comprised of . Contemporary Japanese ceramics on the worldwide art field is a great bargain, for there are many undiscovered talents that know nothing, nor care for, what tunnel-visioned stereotypes the world may perceive; after all life is about clear perceptions.

I live near Daichuji Zen Temple and the head priest there---Shimoyama Koetsu--has asked me to assist in spreading the word on their 10th and final Haiku poetry contest. So please get out your best brush and ink and send what you may; more info can be found here:http://www4.tokai.or.jp/baika/baika/index-e.html
Fuji-san's pure white snow/melting on clay/Hagi sake cup!

More Photos of the Raku Kichizaemon Pavilion

2007-10-31T14:09:00.000+09:00

RakuXV--Chawan Master Extraordinaire--Museum

2007-10-31T13:43:00.001+09:00

Of all the chawan makers in Japan, at the top of the mountain stands alone Raku Kichizaemon XV. His chawan are of such depth in form and firing they have given the term Raku chawan a whole new meaning and dimension. More about his history can be read here:http://www.raku-yaki.or.jp/index-e.html
On September 15th this year a new annex was added to the Sagawa Art Museum on the shore of Lake Biwa--not far at all from Kyoto--and that annex is the Raku Kichizaemon Pavilion. I had the privilege to attend a preview opening and please enjoy a few photos of the magnificent museum that it is. One descends further and further down into a dark, almost vault-like area and then through a thin door; there appears Raku's chado Tea wares. The lightning is dim, the aura surrounding the rooms is one of reverence, and the works on display for the opening exhibition are divine. Yet, I only hope these works get to be used and not enslaved for all eternity behind glass and kept in museum store rooms. For the Sagawa Raku Pavilion I don't think this will be the case as the pavilion also includes two chashitsu-tea rooms. Raku-sensei noted in his speech that he did in fact want folks to use the chashitsu and I'm not sure, yet one may be able to reserve them. Raku also noted this is the first time he designed a chashitsu and that it was a challenging undertaking of which he labored over for years; the end result is truly stunning in the way the rooms incorporate natural lighting and materials, make profound use of space and how the rooms open up to the watery surroundings, and also the religious feeling one gets while meandering throughout the underground structure.　For any devotee of Tea a visit to this museum is highly recommended. More information and many photos and such can be viewed at the museum's web site, unfortunately it is in Japanese only: 　 http://www.sagawa-artmuseum.or.jp/rakuopen/

The Answers....and a Kouchi Shot

2007-10-17T12:07:00.000+09:00

For those who may have wondered what the ranking order was for the previous post, well thanks
for waiting; believe it or not...number one was Arita-yaki. Most of what passes as Arita-yaki is mass-produced tableware sold at setomono shops and department stores throughout Japan. That certainly is better then buying 100 yen plates from China! Following in order after Arita are Kutani, Bizen(yeah!), Hagi, Shigaraki, Kyo-yaki/Kiyomizu-yaki, Mashiko-yaki, Mino-yaki, Seto-yaki and last, but certainly not least, is Karatsu-yaki. Anyone score 100%? The photo is of two Oribe works by Kouchi Hidetoshi; we'll be having his exhibition online and here in our Mishima gallery starting next week......

Nippon Ichi--The Best in Japan

2007-10-12T12:52:00.000+09:00

Nippon Ichi--the best in Japan--is a phrase often heard or seen; for example, driving not far from Mishima where our gallery is we come to a small town in the Izu peninsula that has a sign that reads 'Nippon Ichi beautiful town! Or, in a past issue of the gourmet magazine they had a whole issue devoted to Nippon Ichi, the best sushi restaurant, the best bakery....glad to say the best beer is my local favorite Baird beer! Anyway, Asahi Newspaper has been running a Nippon Ichi series recently and one column was devoted to Nippon Ichi for pottery; here not necessarily meaning the best, yet the the most popular top ten. A total of 17,221 folks took part in the survey and the results were listed in the column, photos shown here. I will let you try to figure out the kanji--next to the number is the pottery style and then in parenthesis the prefecture where the style is located -- and post the results in a near future blog. Good luck! The number on the far right is how many people voted for the style and the gentleman seen is Nakajima Seinosuke, a former antique dealer now TV celebrity for an appraisal program. By the way, the next Nippon Ichi column planned for the column after this one was Nippon Ichi wine, a short list for sure. The photo of the kiln is that of Sakaida KakiemonXIV...hint..hint....

Misaski Mitsukuni and a Massive Tokkuri!

2007-09-12T12:18:00.000+09:00

Here at our Mishima gallery we have a few exhibitions in progress, which are of course also online at www.japanesepottery.com One ceramic artist is an award-winning potter who creates some of the most interesting forms in all of Japan today; his name is Mikuni Mitsukuni. He won the 12th Japan Ceramic Art exhibition Grand Prix in 1993 and a photo of that work along with a list of all past winners can be viewed here, in Japanese only though: http://www.mainichi.co.jp/event/tougei/nyuusyou.html
The other exhibits we have now are celadon master Watanabe Akihiko and Mashiko's Sakuma Fujiya, please do visit online--or in person--by the end of September, that's when all three exhibitions will last to.

A few months ago I was in Okayama city and had one of the best meals I've ever had! Across the counter was a large tokkuri and I asked the chef if I could see it. Well, it was massive and I was told a reject from Kaneshige Toyo's kiln.......wow, I'll take it!

Rosanjin--Vending Machine Man

2007-08-13T11:05:00.000+09:00

So I'm driving down the road to the gallery and pass by umpteen vending machines along the way; if you've been to Japan you know there are just *too* many of these mostly useless 24 hours energy burners. Yet, one Kirin VM caught my attention as atop it was a face I thought I recognized---not the lady! Wait, was that Kitaoji Rosanjin selling green tea? So I pulled over to the side of the road, and lo and behold, yup....Rosanjin himself pitching ocha. I can only assume the great Rosanjin--if he were alive today--would be disgusted to even consider the idea of this shameless advertising---or maybe not--he could have used the dough to buy more antiques; who knows. I stood in front of the VM taking photos as the traffic slowed to watch the gaijin......and Rosanjin looking down on the worthy. 'Japanese know, Tasty is sweet.'

Paramita Museum Ceramic Art Grand Prize Exhibition

2007-08-13T11:02:00.000+09:00

As with the Tanabe and MOA Museums, and many others for that matter, the Paramita Museum in Mie prefecture is now hosting its 2nd Paramita Ceramic Art Grand Prize Exhibition. An unusually large number of artists were given the award--The Lucky Seven--as most museums only give a 'Grand Prize' to only one or two artists. No matter, the seven are in the Japanese 'alphabet' order: Ichino Masahiko, Kakurezaki Ryuichi, Kato Tsubusa, Kawabata Kentaro, Koie Ryoji, Sawa Kiyotsugu, Shigematsu Ayumi, and Toda Morinobu. The exhibition runs until August 31 and the museums homepage--in Japanese only--is at http://www.paramitamuseum.com/

Very Cool Matsui Kosei Interactive Color Page

2007-07-24T12:36:00.000+09:00

Just ran across this very cool interactive page on Asahi.com dealing with color and using some Matsui Kosei neriage pots to illustrate their 'Color is Magic: Move Your Spirit with the Colors of Japan.' page In Japanese only though:

http://www.asahi.com/ad/clients/bravia4/index.html

Photo courtesy of Asahi.com and the page's sponsor Sony-Bravia

New Living National Treasures Named...

2007-07-20T23:22:00.000+09:00

From today's Asahi Newspaper; for ceramics and the second LNT for seiji-celadon Nakajima Hiroshi: http://www.asahi.com/culture/news_culture/TKY200707200438.html

Japan Ceramic Society 2006 Award-Winners Exhibition

2007-07-20T11:48:00.000+09:00

From July 24th until August 1 a look at recent works of the three 2006 Japan Ceramic Society Award-winners ceramic artists will be held in Tokyo. Gold Prize recipient Kato Kiyoyuki and JCS Award winners Takegoshi Jun and Miwa Kazuhiko will be showing 100 pieces combined at Wako Hall in Ginza--please note for some odd reason Wako is closed on Sunday. Stay tuned for more next week.....

Good Music-Good Pottery

2007-06-25T20:27:00.000+09:00

So, I'm at home in my kitchen watching Tom Verlaine on youtube and thinking this guy---a true gem of a guitarist--- plays just like Hamada Shoji would throw; I'm talking about rhythm and feel; so I do a quick search and lo and behold on youtube is the great Hamada, just wish I could have replaced the koto with Venus de Milo, a Verlaine-Television classic: http://youtube.com/watch?v=CwFtg8mBW3s
You see, there is no difference between a great pot, a great painting, a great poem, or a great rope of hope. (Taken at the Sengen Shrine, Shizuoka City, June 23rd). Tomorrow, June 26th, as fate would have it, I travel to Mashiko to select works from Miyamjima Masayuki's just fired kiln for our exhibition at www.japanesepottery.com that begins early next month. Surely, I will drive into town with Tom and Hamada hand in hand....

John Dix in Osaka and New Jersey

2007-05-29T09:49:00.001+09:00

If you happen to find yourself in Osaka this week and next you would do well to stop by John Dix's large one-man exhibition at Daimaru, Shinsaibashi; the exhibition starts on May 30th and runs until June 5th. Dix creates unglazed high-fired stoneware as well as glazed works for the table and Tea room. As Peter Callas says, "He is a highly accomplished artist." Speaking of Sir Peter, he'll be hosting Dix for a workshop in New Jersey this August, details here: http://petercallas.com/events/mail/log/johnDixcurrentEvent.html and John's homepage can be found here http://johndix.com/ Dig The Earth/Support Your Local Potter!

Some Quick Views of the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibtion, Tokyo

2007-05-24T09:59:00.000+09:00

Here are a few shots from the recent Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition held in Tokyo in April. Overall great technical skill in all works, yet very few truly inspired pieces......including the Grand Prix winning celadon piece pictured here. I'll upload more views in the near furute....

Seeking Assistance in Cambodia

2007-05-23T10:14:00.000+09:00

I received this email today and thought someone out there might be able to assist:

"I handle the National Center for Khmer Ceramics Revival In Cambodia – Siem Reap.Ceramics savoir faire disappear from Cambodia, we work on its revival..Our Aim :-Vocational training.-Rural workshops development.-Revival of contemporary Khmer Ceramic Arts.-Production of Khmer Antiques replicas.-Preserving environment with application of green energy for firing.-Reach self-financing to ensure everlastingness of the project.-Fight against illicit trade of Khmer Antiques.
Project’s actual situation:
The project is ongoing.Studio is created.We begin vocational training for disadvantaged peoples.Setup of models and techniques is nearly finished.
In august 2007, we will install a ceramic workshop in Koh Ker, in partnership with NGO “Heritage Watch”.Aim of this rural workshop is the decreasing of poverty in Cambodian rural area.
Our needs :
Promotion and distribution of our products.Infrastructures and educational material.Creation of a library on Ceramics (translation of books in Khmer).Material (Fuel burner) to open way for green energy use.Complementary material for earth treatment.
Can you sustain and/or promote our project?Sustain can be article(s), web links, advertisement, …It will be great to have a helping hand!
You can have an overview of our project on our website : http://www.khmerceramics.com/ Best regards.
Serge RegaDirectorNCKCRhttp://www.khmerceramics.com/"

One pricey melon to go....

2007-05-17T10:57:00.000+09:00

And you thought a Bizen guinomi by Nakamura Rokuro was costly, at least it doesn't rot! Check out this million yen melon from yesterday's Japan Times and Asahi Shimbun:

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20070516a7.html

Photo courtesy of Yoichi Kawatsu/ The Asahi Shimbun:

http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200705160075.html