Robert Yellin's Japanese Pottery Blog

Japan Ceramic Society Prize Winner's Exhibition

2012-01-30T14:59:00.007+09:00

Each year around this time the Japan Ceramic Society (JCS) holds its largest exhibition highlighting the works of winners of it prestigious JCS Prize and Gold Prize; a list of past winners--in Japanese only though--can be found here: http://www.j-ceramic.jp/prize/successive.html I've been attending this event for many years, yet didn't think I'd be able to make this one--held at Wako, Ginza from Jan.27-Feb.2--due to my move further away from Tokyo down to Kyoto. Yet as fate had it I had to be in Tokyo for one overnight for a narration gig and thus took the opportunity to visit Wako; I just wish I had my camera with me, and as such please pardon the low-quality mobile phone photos. Forty-four artists were displaying a number of work in their respective styles and forms, truly one of the finest exhibitions to view such a broad range of mostly musuem quality work in one setting. On top of that, Wako is the best space of any 'department' store in Tokyo, although they don't like to think of themselves as a department store. In any event, as always the space was perfect in lighting and balance for the 100 or so works on display that ranged from multi-million yen chawan from Raku Kichizaemon XV and Suzuki Osamu(rare faceted Black Seto) to whimsical chopstick rests from personal favorite Takiguchi Kazuo. This year I thought the overall selection was better than any previous years possibly due to the horrendous year Japan experienced last year, and thus the artists wanted to lighten the spirits of visitors with the best works. Most did, including a splendid Ogawa Machiko large slab, elegant porcelain by Maeta Akihiro and a superb Bizen 'vase' by Kaneshige Kousuke. One work that I thought was classic for this artist, yet *way* overpriced, was a box by Eguchi Katsumi, come to think of it it might have been the most expensive work in the exhibition! A similar work, though, is in the permanent collection of the V&A: http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O24104/box/ Overall the variety, quality, and visions of all the artists was inspiring to see.

Japan Ceramic Society Winner's Exhibition Additional Photos...

2012-01-30T14:37:00.001+09:00

Lovely Little Kyoto Exhibition

2012-01-19T15:19:00.001+09:00

A lovely exhibition is now showing at Honen-in (http://www.kyopro.kufs.ac.jp/dp/dp01.nsf/ecfa8fdd6a53a7fc4925700e00303ed8/2be4c6568c9039f6492575460010acfa!OpenDocument) of six apprentices of the late potter Banura Shiro(1941-2001) and include one lacquer artist, recommended, until Jan.24th. Also, veteran Echizen potter Miyoshi Kentaro is at Kyoto Takashimaya also until Jan.24th.

Mitsu no Keshiki

2011-10-22T14:17:00.001+09:00

Iga has three famous 'landscapes' (mitsu no keshiki) famous since the 16th century, these are scorch markings (koge), a natural flowing vitrified glaze (biidoro - after the Portuguese word for glass vidoro) which sometimes stops to form a globule called a "dragonfly eye," and hi-iro or 'fire tones' on the clay surface. Here is a 'dragonfly's eye' and hi-iro up-close on a Fujioka Shuhei jar. His exhibition runs thru Oct.31st.

A Nice Online Article......

2011-10-11T08:49:00.002+09:00

https://www.wfconversations.com/enjoy_life/fine_art_collecting/article/pottery_east_and_west/

Talking Yakimono With Steve Jobs

2011-10-09T22:41:00.009+09:00

At one MacWorld some years back in Tokyo I got a call from the Tokyo Apple HQ
office asking if I would be interested to take Steve around looking at
ceramic art; at the time I was the ceramic art columnist for the Japan
Times. Sure, I think I could find some time I said.

A few days later I get another call saying Steve wanted to do it and
that I should meet him at the Hotel Okura at this day and time; and they
also primed me on what he likes, what he doesn't like, what pisses him
off, what to avoid, this and that, like I was meeting the President of
the Universe. Sure, I said...I can do that; I've met plenty of famous
people and to me they're all people first, period.

And Steve was. He was nothing that the HQ warned me about; he was down-to-earth,
easy to talk with, passionate and engaged in the works we saw. And we
saw some treasures; a 16th century majestic Shigaraki jar in perfect
condition, a masterpiece 20th century sculpture by Yagi Kazuo, and we
also climbed into the attic of a renowned collector-scholar. It was funny,
because when we entered this person's house there was not a pot to be seen.
Hey, we don't have much time I said, as HQ said something like only two
hours and Steve had to be back, so I requested we forgo the tea and small
talk and simply touch the clay. So this guy takes a stick and pokes it
into the ceiling and down comes a flimsy ladder. Steve bolted up it like
a kid climbing into his first tree house and we saw another room of
treasures. He was delighted.

Back in the limo he said how he was inspired by the organic and rolling
curves of the ancient stoneware jars and even got some design hints from
their shoulders for computers.

"Sublime, these works are all so sublime and not in your face, they
allude to greater beauty, I enjoy that," he said, a few times....sublime.

After about five hours we returned to the Okura, the staff were
trembling, did something happen, was he over-the-top pissed off?

Not at all, he was enraptured by all the timeless beauty he saw.

A few days later the Tokyo staff called---they were always on pins and
needles when Steve was in town I heard--to say he left Japan the
happiest they had ever seen him and part of that was due to our magic
afternoon.

Steve has left this world--yet has enriched our lives
so very, very deeply that it's almost impossible to put into words; his
life was sublime and profound as well.

Sayonara Steve, thanks so much for that sublime afternoon. Thanks for
the Japanese name card too.........blessings abound. Sayonara, such a life, such an impact, such a vision, such a man.

Koe Magazine Intro

2011-09-21T14:08:00.003+09:00

An eclectic-chic little magazine called Koe did a feature on our gallery and you can read it at this link: http://www.koemagazine.com/2011/09/handling-history-in-a-clay-vessel/
Also, on the gallery now are some fine new pieces, including a masterpiece by Kawai Takeichi, please visit us if you haven't recently.

Neat Slide Show

2011-09-01T16:17:00.003+09:00

Our good friend Gregory Howell of Japan Private Journeys (http://www.gregoryhowell.com/) has put together a nice slide show of photos I sent him featuring some of the ceramic artists we represent, please view it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08LvpGmTG7k&feature=share

Kako Katsumi on Japan Living Arts

2011-08-22T13:38:00.003+09:00

Please see this brief guest blog written for Japan Living Arts: http://www.japanlivingarts.com/?p=4566

Dorothy Feibleman on NHK

2011-07-27T11:28:00.001+09:00

Taken from the NHK web site in the following link: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/tv/japanology/index.html

Jul. 28, Thu. 0:30 - 1:00 (UTC) etc.

"Japanophiles - Dorothy Feibleman"

'This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan.

American potter Dorothy Feibleman lives and works in Japan where she creates her works using a traditional Japanese technique called nerikomi. Many of her works are so delicate that light can pass through them, transporting the mind to a world of fantasy.

Feibleman first came to Japan in 1993, when she submitted work to a competition in Aichi Prefecture. In 1997, one of her pieces was added to the collection of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Today, she lives and works in Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture.

Feibleman's translucent porcelain is blazing new trails in the world of ceramics. Adding layers of Western technique to Eastern tradition, Dorothy Feibleman produces a constant stream of unique creations.'

Tea For Peace--Charity Auction at the Silver Pavilion--Additional Photos

2011-07-01T19:14:00.002+09:00

Please visit our gallery for Tea anytime......

Tea For Peace--Charity Auction at the Silver Pavilion

2011-07-01T18:58:00.003+09:00

On Thursday June 23rd a large--very large--Tea Ceremony was held at the Silver Pavilion; one of the main reasons for this large gathering--about 600 people attended--was to raise money for relief efforts in the northern region of Japan after the devasting quake and tsunami of March 11th. The cost of attending was not cheap, a 'ticket' cost 30,000 yen and entitled one to a thin tea setting, a thick tea setting (each 'ceremony' was for about 50 people at a time), a simple yet delicious kaiseki bento (stood in line for about an hour, yet met some very nice folks) entrance into the National Treasure--and usually off-limits--Tea house named Tōgudō, which was the room where the 4.5 tatami Tea style was founded by Ashikaga Yoshima (1435-1490). This was before hanging scrolls, before sushi, when imported Chinese vessels were held supreme. In this small room were Yoshimasa's writing utensils and a framed shoji window that when opened framed the garden, just like a hanging scroll. After viewing this important and very shibui structure I went to have a look at the contemporary works being auctioned off; many famous names were represented including Kakurezaki, Akiyama Yo, Suzuki Osamu, Kaneshige Yuho and Makoto and Kawase Shinobu. People came from all over Japan for the event, and I was most likely the person who lived closest to it all; after all my address here in Kyoto is 'In-Front-Of-The Silver Pavilion' district.

Sad News; The Passing of Utsumi Teiko

2011-06-20T10:52:00.005+09:00

One day I'll never forget is the first time I stepped into the Mingeikan Folk Craft Museum in Tokyo; the majestic building has a presence as a house of immense soul and beauty. It was truly a profound visit and for any who have not visited the Mingeikan before I hope you have the chance to do so before that final breath. Of which, I'm very sad to say, the lovely and gracious Utsumi Teiko, took the other day; she passed away June 16th from cancer at the age of 79; the Japanese press had a short spot on it:http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20110618-00000500-san-soci　Utsumi-san served as international director of the museum for many years and was the mother of the equally gracious and lovely Mimura Kyoko, also a great ambassador for the Mingeikan. On my first visit to the Minkeikan many years ago, Utsumi-san took me into the director's office and much to my great surprise was my Japan Times column pasted to the wall; "not in a very long time has someone written such a poignant and spot-on article about this museum," she told me. I was extremely moved to hear that. I'm sure that for all who had the honor to have met her you know how I feel when I say she was a shining light for the Mingeikan and will be missed very much. My condolences to her family and to all who were touched by Utsumi Teiko, I for one was very deeply.

Shigaraki and Tanuki

2011-06-17T12:55:00.002+09:00

The other day while my good friend Mark Schumacher--who was visiting from his base in Kamakura--were having lunch at Omen I got an email from the gallery that a tanuki was napping in the gallery garden! Now as many know when one visits Shigaraki any which way one turns their head a tanuki will appear in all shapes and sizes, unfortunately. Mark also runs the world's greatest web site on Japanese gods, goddesses, Shinto Kami, creatures and demons, and his entry all about tanuki can be read here: http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/tanuki.shtml My visiting tanuki was on the rather thin side and someone suggested I place some sake and nibbles out for him(her), yet not sure I fancy him(her) coming around again, possibly along with family and friends. Yet I have a feeling that's bound to happen anyway, along with some other critters. Maybe it was the vintage Shigaraki pot I placed in the garden a few weeks ago that got their attention.......?!

Enjoying the New Look.....

2011-06-16T16:49:00.002+09:00

Here in the new Kyoto-old house--the lighting and ambiance make for some great backdrops for the stunning works we offer; please see the attached photos to see what I mean. Lots of rain today, small clouds float over the Higashiyama mountains, just like the old days, say 860 or so? Heading to a special Nara potter this weekend, look for some selected works on the web gallery early next week. Yoroshiku from Kyoto.

Traditonal Gallery Sign

2011-06-06T12:02:00.003+09:00

Kato Takahiko carved a wood plaque to place above our gallery entrance; Gin-Ro-An--Silver Dew Hermitage (retreat, hut). Kato, of course, is a truly talented Shigaraki potter, yet he is also a craftsman of the highest level: if ever in Shigaraki please do visit his studio in the center of town he recently built as well.

More Gallery Photos-Kyoto

2011-06-05T12:13:00.002+09:00

The other day we added new lighting to the gallery and you can view many more photos of the truly splendid setting in this link: http://www.japanesepottery.com/gallery_detail.php?currentnum=0&cid=0&iid=1287&keys= In the past we took photos on a photo stand, yet from now on--mostly--we'll be using the house as a backdrop. Please do visit the gallery online often or stop on by if ever in Kyoto.

Greetings from Kyoto

2011-05-30T18:22:00.002+09:00

Greetings from Kyoto! Major move for our gallery is just about complete in a magnificent old Sukiya-style home a few minutes walk from the Silver Pavilion. Look for photos of works using the house as a backdrop at www.japensepottery.com Also, please visit whenever you might be in the area; address and phone info are on www.japanesepottery.com as well as a link to a google map. Here are two photos of the gallery in progress, hope you enjoy them!

Kikuchi Biennale

2011-04-19T12:42:00.004+09:00

If in Tokyo until June 26th be sure to check out the Kikuchi Bienalle IV at Musee Tomo; our favorite emerging artist Gomi Kenji was awarded a prize. Their HP in Japanese only: http://www.musee-tomo.or.jp/exhibition.html

Japan Living Arts

2011-04-18T20:07:00.002+09:00

http://www.japanlivingarts.com/ Yes, I know, and no I know not; Saka from Hagi just named, first female in the line; Kako showing in Tokyo, lights are low; Sakiyama showing in Mishima, Monday last day; Mashiko potters and more in need, we all know; Harvey Young and Euan Craig blogs move me to tears; my book all sales to charity; moving to Kyoto soon my path twists; Japan is a magical place, people are strong, sense of purpose, the earth moves.

A Few Photos from the Japan Ceramic Society Award-Winners Exhibition

2011-01-21T11:35:00.003+09:00

Yesterday (Jan.20th) I was up in Tokyo for my hatsu (first)-visit of the Year of The Rabbit to attend an auction and also to see the yearly Japan Ceramic Society Award-Winners exhibition held each year at Wako in the Ginza district. Down on the street they always have a classy window display and this year it showed the works of Takenaka Ko, Nakajima Hiroshi and the only work by Yasuda Zenko, wonder why they had it there and not in the sixth floor gallery? No matter, I asked the price of the Yasuda and an assistant told me he wasn't selling it, ok. Prices were standard for these artists with pieces starting at less then 20,000 yen (some sake cups) and going up to 4.2 million for a large Imai Masayuki work, seen in one of the photos. As good and varied as this exhibition is each year, I don't think the artists always send their best works and some even view it, so I've heard, as giri or a type of obligation. Mihara Ken seemed to be the favorite selling one medium work and a whole bunch of sake cups, not many red tags for others though, although Kakurezaki had his large work reserved. Suzuki Goro had a chawan in a square form he called stone-firing and it felt like a boulder in the hands, how anyone could use it is beyond me! Even a JCS official said WTF is this?! Anyway, hope you enjoy a brief look at the exhibition and hope to see you there next year; we discussed having an English lecture on 2012 exhibition, be my guest!

Japan Ceramic Society Award-Winner's Tokyo Exhibition

2011-01-19T13:47:00.003+09:00

In Tokyo now at Wako, Ginza is the yearly exhibition of past winners of the prestigious Japan Ceramic Society Prize and Gold Prize until Jan.24th. I'll be going tomorrow and hopefully will have some photos to show. All in all 41 of Japan's finest are showing for a total of about 100 pieces; the announcement card cover shows the works of Living National Treasure Kato Kozo (Setoguro chawan), fanciful figures on a gosu box by Kyoto veteran Fujihira Shin, and an organic-ripe aka-dobe Tamba jar by the ever-talented Ichino Masahiko. Can you guess the others?

Wishing All....

2010-12-27T13:33:00.002+09:00

A very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous Year of the Rabbit! Thanks so very much for visiting our gallery this year at www.japanesepottery.com and for your interest in this very sporadic blog; new year's resolution....more blogging!

Kato Kozo's Homecoming for a New Living National Treasure

2010-11-01T15:59:00.002+09:00

This past summer Mino giant Kato Kozo(b.1935) was named a Living National Treasure for his Setoguro-Black Seto wares. The word on the streets for many a moon was that this designation was bound to happen, not sure though for just which style as Mino comprises Shino, Ki-Seto(Yellow Seto), Setoguro and Oribe. Considering that Suzuki Osamu is the current LNT for Shino and also that Kato does not make Oribe it boiled down to two. In the world of Tea Setoguro is a more favored chawan-tea bowl style and with this consideration--and also that Kato's teacher was the late Setoguro (and Shino) LNT Arakawa Toyozo--it was a safe bet to have chosen Setoguro. I've admired Kato's work for decades now, it has a serenity and depth that is also reflected in the man's eyes. A homecoming commemorative exhibition was recently held in Kato's hometown of Tajimi--epicenter along with neighboring Toki City--for Mino. I attended the exhibition on my way to visit Kato long-ago apprentice Hori Ichiro (Hori's work on our web gallery all this week...) and here are a few photos. Unfortunately, although the work was pure and superbly fired, I found most of it rather uninspired; please judge for yourself. Nonetheless, Kato is a wonderful potter who deserves the LNT status for his devoted life to Momoyama-inspired Tea wares that is one of Japan's most solid cultural foundations.

A Nice Note from a Recent Visiting Collector's Group

2010-10-13T10:12:00.002+09:00

We await your visit as well!

The Musee Tomo Prize: Contemporary Ceramics for the Tea Ceremony Continued

2010-09-03T14:19:00.002+09:00

This was in today's Japan Times about the fabulous Musee Tomo exhibition:http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fa20100903a1.html and a few additional photos I took....

Kutani's Tokuda Yasokichi The Fourth!

2010-09-02T13:27:00.003+09:00

Flipping through the local newspaper the other day I came across an ad for an exhibition at Seibu Department store in Numazu. It was to commemorate yet another time-honored bequeathment; this time for Kutani's Tokuda family. Last year YasokichiIII passed away and this year his eldest daughter became YasokichiIV (b.1961). This is quite a rare occasion as I can't recall offhand the last time a daughter took over a family's kiln, let alone such a name. The gallery space was quite small with only about two dozen works on display; I found them to have a softer touch then YasokichiIII's work, the tones were lighter with the forms being generally the same. Her red Kutani wall plate I felt was not yet a finished work and shows the need for her to develop her brush skills further. Nonetheless a very monumental time in Kutani's history and for the Tokuda family; I wish her well.

Shigaraki Takahashi Rakusai THE FIFTH

2010-08-26T15:52:00.002+09:00

The time has arrived, just in time for the autumn art season, that the now former Takahashi Kozo (b.1954) will take his distinguished families master potter name of Rakusai, and thus becoming the fifth member of his family to be so honored. To celebrate this time-honored bequeathment, an exhibition will be held in Tokyo at Mitsukoshi's (Nihonbashi) sixth floor gallery from Sept.8-14th and shown here are a few photos from the exhibition catalog. Here at our gallery we have a few RakusaiV works, some not listed, yet one that is can be viewed here:
http://www.trocadero.com/japanesepottery/items/890810/item890810store.html
I've met RakusaiV and he is a fine gentleman and a superb traditional potter; Omedeto Gozaimasu (Congratulations!).

The Musee Tomo Prize: Contemporary Ceramics for the Tea Ceremony

2010-08-03T12:01:00.012+09:00

Extraordinary in one word to describe the current exhibition at the Musee Tomo Museum in Tokyo being held until Nov.7th. The long title of the exhibit is 'The Musee Tomo Prize: Contemporary Ceramics for the Tea Ceremony--Free Creativity and Atypical Usage.'Indeed a very appropriate title as the exhibition of 29 invited ceramic artists does indeed straddle the very traditional with forms that one has to wonder how they can actually fit in a chashitsu tea room. For the former I draw attention to the first chawan that greets one as they descend into the darkened, mysterious cavern that is the museum; the chawan being a rusty orange Shino by Living National Treasure Suzuki Osamu (the harmony of emerald matcha and the chawan tones are supreme). The works that challenge one to think of a chashitsu would be Akiyama Yo' powerful black sculptures that would most likely overpower the intimate and quiet space that a chashitsu is; nonetheless brilliant work once again by Akiyama, who also was one of the five recipients of the Tomo Prize, the other four being Suzuki, Ogawa Machiko, Tokusawa Moritoshi and Fukami Sueharu. The foreword from the catalog, " We have had the pleasure of holding the Musee Tomo Prize: Contemporary Ceramics for the Tea Ceremony--Free Creativity and Atypical Usage every other year since 2006. This exhibition invites contemporary Japanese ceramists to create ceramics for the tea ceremony with a free spirit in an attempt to have a view of the way the tea ceremony should be in the 21st century. On the occasion of this third exhibition, the title has been revised to The Musee Tomo Prize: Contemporary Ceramics for the Tea Ceremony--Free Creativity and Atypical Usage and 29 artists submitted their works. Tea drinking was introduced from China and developed uniquely into the tea ceremony, an important Japanese culture. At its zenith in the Momoyama period, Sen no Rikyu perfected wabicha and amidst the teahouse far removed from our daily life emerged a non-routine world. Imagine the host and his guests in conversation triggered through the utensil selected especially for that occasion. Carefully selected ceramics full of ingenuity responded to the expectations of the tea masters and connoisseurs. By touching the ceramic body with our hands, appreciating the look of the glaze, and enjoying the new shapes, to this day, we continue to be enchanted by the refreshing charms of such ceramic containers produced by the artist putting his or her aesthetic into them. Nowadays, tastes and preferences have become diverse and we have to admit that the tea ceremony is on the decline. Yet, there is something beyond nostalgia that never ceases to attract us. In this exhibition, while looking far back on the history of the tea ceremony, we hope to explore the contemporary beauty of free creativity and atypical usage." They--the organizers--have succeeded in flying colors; from the many chawan on display--highlights being chawan by Raku, Ogawa, Ichino Masahiko, Kaneta Masanao and Maeta Akihiro to the wild creations of Akiyama, Yanagihara Mutsuo's mizusashi to the large orbs by Uchida Koichi--this exhibition is must see--I know I'll be going back again and will also gather some groups to give a gallery talk so please let me know if in Tokyo--to see an exhibition that brings the beauty of Tea vessels to a magnificent new level. (Photos seen here are courtesy of the Musee Tomoo and all are copyrighted and cannot be used or reproduced without permission. They are Raku KichizaemonXV's Black Raku Chawan,2010, 11.2cm.tallx14.2x12.2; Yanagihara Mutsuo's Flowing water container, 2010, 29.2cm.tallx29.8; Akiyama Yo's Untitled, MV-104, 2010, 25.5cm.tallx58.5x54.5; Maeta Akihiro's white porcelain faceted Tea bowl, 2010, 10.1cm.tallx12.2 and Imaizumi Imaemon's Tea bowl with spirea design of sumihajiki, 2010, 7.9cm.tallx9.5). A complete list of exhibitors is Kato Kiyoyuki, Suzuki Osamu, Morino Taimei, Yanagihara Mutsuo, Koie Ryoji, Ito Sekisui, Koike Shoko, Tokusawa Moritoshi, Okada Yu, Ogawa Machiko, Takagaki Atsushi, Fukami Sueharu, Nishihata Tadashi, Maede Masahiro, Raku Kichizaemon, Kakurezaki Ryuichi, Kaneshige Yuho, Kawase Shinobu, Ito Tadashi, Akiyama Yo, Kaneta Masanao, Maeta Akihiro, Kitamura Junko, Sakiyama Takayuki, Mihara Ken, Ichino Masahiko, Imaemon Imaizumi, Uchida Koichi and Kato Takahiro. (There is a nice catalog--as noted--one can be ordered from the museum or email Robert through www.japanesepottery.com The Musee Tomo's HP in Japanese only:http://www.musee-tomo.or.jp/)

Two Important Tokyo Exhibitions

2010-07-27T13:35:00.002+09:00

The Japan Ceramic Society awarded its 2009 Prize to Nakashima Harumi and its Gold Prize to Morino Taimei and to celebrate these awards the two ceramic artists are showing their works in Tokyo at Wako until July 30th: www.wako.co.jp Another exhibition that should be a must for anyone able to visit is the 3rd Contemporary Tea; Freedom of Form at the Mousee Tomo. An illustrious list of who's-who will be exhibiting works and lectures will also be held. The exhibition runs from July 31 until November 7 and please look for photos of the exhibition here next week. http://www.musee-tomo.or.jp/exhibition.html

Akiyama Yo's MOA Museum Okada Mokichi Award

2010-07-20T15:56:00.002+09:00

Recently Kyoto ceramic artist Akiyama Yo was awarded the Okada Mokichi Award at Atami's MOA Museum--a truly beautiful museum--and here are a few photos of the five pieces that Akiyama displayed in the main entrance area.

Kato Kozo-New Living National Treasure

2010-07-17T23:39:00.005+09:00

Late night update, as predicted here and on our gallery, Kato Kozo was just named a LNT for his Setoguro (Black Seto) wares; in Japanese:
http://www.asahi.com/culture/update/0716/TKY201007160390.html Kato was among five who were named, he the only one for ceramics, a short video in Japanese here announcing the news: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20100716/t10015788541000.html and in Kato's prefectural newspaper:http://www.gifu-np.co.jp/news/kennai/20100717/201007170927_11180.shtml The last Gifu-based LNT for ceramics was the late Kato Takuo for sansai-tri-colored wares designated 15 years ago, and before him were only two (Kato's teacher Arakawa Toyozo and porcelain master Tsukamoto Kaiji) thus making Kato the fourth LNT for ceramic art from Gifu.

Japanese-Inspired Ceramic Art in the UK

2010-07-08T11:56:00.002+09:00

"The Devon Guild is delighted to once again host Japan-based potters Peter Seabridge, Tomoko Okuda, Taketoshi Ota and Masahiro Kumagae. A courtyard Japanese gravel garden will be created, sponsored by Jade Pavilions and designed by members of the Japanese Garden Society: www.jgs.org.uk

Yakimono 2 15 July - 15 August 2010
A follow-up exhibition to our 2008 showcase of Japanese ceramics

Join us on the 17 July for a Japanese-inspired day at Riverside Mill where you can meet the makers and learn about their work. We will be having Origami and Calligraphy demonstrations, and a chance to see an authentic Tea Ceremony."

http://www.crafts.org.uk/getdoc/39e8139a-0909-4725-94e8-f6cef7f840d0/craft-focus-exhibition.aspx

The Power of Myth--Shimura Noriyuki Exhibition June 24-July 7

2010-06-23T14:39:00.004+09:00

Shimura Noriyuki—The Power of Myth (From a past Honoho Geijutsu column)

It’s often said that good things come in small packages, take a little kogo for example. I just had to smile as I held one in my miraculous hands; staring back at me was a fire breathing Godzilla-like figure. How fun, I said to myself! The whimsical world of kogo goes back many centuries with mythical figures such as shishi lions and robed foxes, seven-lucky gods, birds, and other nature themes as motifs. I’m sure such kogo have brought delight to those who viewed them too over the endless years. In fact, kogo are collected the world over with one famous collection of 3,500 kogo (however no fire breathing dragon ones) created by French statesman George Clemenceau (1841-1929). The Clemenceau collection toured Japan in 1978. That was just thirty years ago and how the world at large has changed, not often for the better though, unfortunately. It’s time to, as Henry David Thoreau said, simplify, or as comedian Steve Martin once joked to, ‘get small!’

These largely unnerving days we surely need new dreams, new ideas and new visions (here big is ok) in all aspects of life to revive our spirits, the economy and the environment. Or maybe we just need to look at ancient myths to remember the value of life. Art too is often an inspiration in such turbulent times, a visual way to connect with our psyches, inner voices and dreams; Shimura Noriyuki--the ceramic artist who created the Godzilla-like kogo--is an inspired artist who in his own quiet way is keeping dreams and myths alive in his ceramic art.

The great author of the book ‘The Power of Myth’ Joseph Campbell used to say ‘follow your bliss.’ To do so means one follows the uncharted path of life taking each thought, each dream, each vision into every single precious day to create what we call ‘a life.’ Shimura has been doing that since 1990 in the Izu peninsula after having studied and worked for 11 years with Seto potter and glaze master Kato Sho (1927-2001, Aichi Intangible Cultural Property). Kato was also a unique potter making incised works with peacocks, for example. Shimura did much inlay-zogan work over the years for Kato and on his current works he continues to employ this technique. Have a look at another kogo, the Buddha, and you’ll see a keen sense of balance in the white zogan design set within the backdrop. And the dragon kogo is a riot of color, yet as with all of Shimura’s works the colors blend together in a rather shibui way. And this is an important aspect of Shimura’s work; how he does blend his colors in a kirei-sabi way, not gaudy at all. That makes Shimura’s works able to sit in a tokonoma and not be out of place. They also will bring a lively commentary and smiles to any tea ceremony. Of course he also makes vessels for the table with equally pleasing themes.

As with kogo, okimono or ornamental figures long ago were a whimsical world of beasts, legendary figures, and demons that brought luck, prosperity, dreams and inspiration to many homes. Where are such okimono now? If a society loses its power of indigenous myth and just buys into globalization its spirit will die off. To keep the power of myth alive maintains the health of a society. Shimura is doing all he can to bring okimono back into the homes of the nation.

His Sumo wrestler has a stern yet gentle face, and the image of Fuji-san on his kesho-mawashi imparts not only energy to the okimono, yet also a spirit, the spirit of Japan. The Fuji-san okimono has a well-balanced grove of multi-colored pines growing up the entire form; a pure Japanese image, and symbolism poetical themed with the word ‘tsuki’ or moon rising from the side inlaid within the moon itself. The back has a rather textile themed striped pattern that also recalls Ogata Kenzan. To have such an okimono, in one’s foyer will surely allow one to leave the house each day with a smile and greet the day empowered with their own bliss, rooted in the timeless power of myth. Thanks to Shimura Noriyuki for reminding me of that.

Kagami Shukai--Saying Goodbye to a Ki-Seto Master

2010-04-20T13:57:00.004+09:00

I've had the great privilege to have met many amazing ceramic artists here in Japan, and for that I am truly grateful. Many, thankfully, are still with us and creating, yet a few have left us and some before their time should have come., Furutani Michio and Udagawa Hosei to name but two amazing potters gone before 53. Last year tragedy struck another potter I greatly respected, Kagami Shukai. He was killed in a traffic accident and the world lost not only one of the finest people one could ever hope to meet, yet arguably the greatest Ki-Seto potter Japan has ever known. I wrote this on our e-yakimono.net pages some years ago: http://www.e-yakimono.net/html/kagami-shukai.html and this as well in 1997: http://www.e-yakimono.net/html/trio-sv.html
The Nomura Museum in Kyoto will be hosting a retrospective Kagami Shukai exhibition from April 27th-May 9th; they have a homepage and hopefully you can view the URL on the DM photo seen in this listing. For those of you not fortunate enough to be able to get to the exhibition there is a nice catalog and please email the musuem or Robert if interested in getting one. Kagami's son Masakane has taken over the kiln and like Furutani Kazuya, I'm sure will create works that make his father proud. Lost in thought, lost in the moment, lost in Kagami's Ki-Seto visions.

Kawakita Handeishi--The Playful Chajin

2010-01-28T13:58:00.003+09:00

In the world of 20th century Japanese Tea Ceramics there is one man who left a mark like no other, yet his first job was not as an artist yet as a wealthy banker of great privilege. His legacy is based on his magnificent chawan and other utensils associated with cha-no-yu, along with his profound influence on many younger potters of the day---think 1930s-40s--who later became the pillars of their own respective styles--think Kaneshige Toyo, Miwa Kyuwa and Arakawa Toyozo.
Handeishi Kawakita is his name and he referred to himself as an amateur, and his works do lack technical proficiency, but they are in keeping with an "amateur tradition" that dates back to the great Koetsu Honami (1558-1637). His chawan have charming personalities and quirky rhythms about them, bearing names such as "The Wealthy" or "Thin Ice"; Kawakita was well-known for the unusual names he bestowed on his works. A special retrospective on Kawakita will be held at the Sogo Museum in Yokohama from Feb. 11- March 22nd and this is not to be missed if at all possible. The museum is located on the sixth floor of the Sogo Department store at the east exit of Yokohama station. The 'museum' has a web page in Japanese only: http://www2.sogo-gogo.com/common/museum/index.html

A bit more about Kawakita can be read here: http://www.cpm-gifu.jp/museum/english/tenraninfo/03_1contents.html

Kabtuo Samurai Stoneware Helmets-Echoes of Past Glory--Koinuma Michio

2009-12-15T15:46:00.002+09:00

Greetings from Mishima,

As the year 2009 slowly winds down we close our exhibition
schedule with a look at 20 of Koinuma Michio's empowered
kabuto--Samurai helmets. Kabuto are objects with a significant
history here in Japan, worn by the warrior class Samurai for
protection in battle, they also were symbols of power and clan
affiliations; many were also beautifully constructed to resemble
works of art. Nowadays families display model ones during Boy's
Day in the spring in hopes of a strong and healthy future. Each
of Koinuma's helmets has an ancient aura surrounding the darkened
patina of each work, as if they were excavated from a lord's
tomb. The symbolism is strong in each representing character,
boldness, humility, honor and courage. Fired in a small
wood-burning kiln, each is given a unique firing scheme that can
never be duplicated. Koinuma(b.1936) imparts to all his unique
ceramic creations a deep spirituality combined with a pure
Japanese aesthetic; he's been doing this for decades and as such
is respected as one of Japan's most important veteran ceramic
artists. Sizes range from 13 to 23cm.tall and prices are between
100,000-160,000 yen with signed boxes. Each is hollow yet very
solid with a good weight and balance; additional photos of any
gladly sent upon request. Koinuma's kabuto are on the web gallery
now for viewing and in time for the holidays.

Next year look for a new look to our online gallery; we've been
working with a great team of web designers and look forward to
the debut in early January. Also on tap for 2010 are exhibitions
by Nagaoka Masami, jars by Koinuma, colorful Shimura Noriyuki and
a rare look at veteran Hirashimizu potter Niwa Ryochi; other
exhibitions to be announced.

With any orders through the end of the year we'll be including a
traditional hand cloth called a tenugui that was designed by
Ajiki Hiro as a year-end gift.

With much thanks for all your interest and support this year.
Wishing all a very pleasant, enjoyable and healthy holiday season.

Warm regards,

Robert Yellin
www.japanesepottery.com

The Power of Iga--Fujioka Shuhei's Exhibition

2009-11-20T14:16:00.002+09:00

We are excited to announce and share previews of our third
Fujioka Shuhei exhibition here at our gallery in Mishima. Iga ceramic artist Fujioka Shuhei
(b.1947) possesses the power to make mountains out of clay. He
then fires his bold creations in an anagama to 'fire-brush' on
mossy green, blue and gray natural ash glazes. These captivating
colors contrast and highlight the rich clay flavor and hi-iro
(fire color) that Iga is world-renowned for, as well as the koge
scorch colors (Iga has three famous keshiki-landscapes of hi-iro,
koge and bidoro-glass). Iga is one of those magical medieval
styles that speaks volumes of the Zen-inspired ways that are to
be found within Tea-pottery; Fujioka understands this. His heart
is pure and he loves the earth at his feet, whether it is for his
clay works, or the vegetables he grows in the fields. Like
potters of old, he too is a farmer and listens to the teachings
that nature whispers in his ears. In a nutshell, after graduating
college Fujioka went to work for a production kiln in Seto. Yet
upon seeing a Ko-Iga piece, he then knew there was no other style
for him. He apprenticed with Tanimoto Kosei before establishing
his own kiln in 1975. He's had countless solo exhibitions
throughout Japan and has been featured in numerous publications.
Fujioka is to Iga what Harada and Kakurezaki are to Bizen, except
without all the awards. He's a soft-spoken man, humble and deep;
all these qualities are in his work as well as an awe-inspiring
feel of the power of nature. Fujioka fires a small kiln for three
days and if he gets a one-third success rate for any kiln he
feels it's been a success. The high loss rate is one reason we
find so few Iga potters, it's almost loony--as Fujioka himself
says---to work in Iga with all its hurdles and failures. Yet the
successes are clay jewels, as you'll see for yourself in the
following links. We are extremely pleased to offer the world a
chance to see Fujioka's Iga world online or here at our Mishima
gallery until December 10th.

The exhibition will go online for public viewing on Tuesday of
next week, advance previews available by emailing Robert
via the web gallery at www.japanesepottery.com

In Today's Japan Times

2009-11-14T10:03:00.002+09:00

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/member/member.html?mode=getarticle&file=fl20091114a1.html

Living National Treasure Tokuda Yasokichi III R.I.P.

2009-08-26T20:10:00.001+09:00

http://dailynews.yahoo.co.jp/fc/domestic/obituary/?1251282436 and http://mytown.asahi.com/ishikawa/news.php?k_id=18000000908270001 Sorry in Japanese only

An Important California Exhibition/Tokyo Too...

2009-08-12T20:59:00.003+09:00

For now: http://www.crockerartmuseum.org/exhibitions/exhib_pages/Soaring_Voices.htm
and http://www.mot-art-museum.jp/eng/2009/ito/index.html; a review in today's Japan Times:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fa20090814a1.html

Kaneko Jun's First Tokyo Exhibition

2009-07-29T15:30:00.003+09:00

From the Asahi Newspaper, in Japanese only though: http://www.asahi.com/culture/news_culture/
Showing at Tokyo midtown until August 2nd. Photo Courtesy of Asahi Newspaper:
http://www.asahi.com/english/

A Subway ride, the past and present.....

2009-07-16T15:11:00.006+09:00

So, I'm in Tokyo yesterday wondering how in the world could anyone survive a summer in such a concrete jungle; finished my meeting early--stay tuned for a new ceramic focused travel company, mostly for potters--and wondered should I hang around the jungle or head home to the bay. No brainer, chose the later and made a beeline for the subway station. As I'm waiting for the train to arrive who should I spy out the corner of my eye but Seto veteran ceramic artist Kato Kiyoyuki! "Kato-sensei," I call out and he is just as surprised as I was; "Oh yeah, you're the fellow I met at the Japan Ceramic Society exhibition who has a gallery in Mishima, right?" Right, and so we take the same train and then board the same bullet train, me for Mishima(45 minutes) and he to Nagoya(a few hours). I ask him what he was in Tokyo for and he replied it was an event at the Sogetsu (http://www.sogetsu.or.jp/english/index.html) and now he too couldn't wait to head on home. Time was short so I asked him what he's making these days---large pieces in Echizen--his background--family made Oribe roof tiles---and what his plans were for coming exhibitions--nothing this year, next year Tokyo----and I said he might think about taking his family history and make it the theme for his next exhibition, mainly Oribe jars as he hasn't done that for a long time. He liked that idea and even said he has some glaze vats that his pop and grandfather mixed; perfect! Perfect was not how he was feeling though that the long-running Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition had been shut down for good, he was darn right pissed off. I then asked about growing up after WWII and if he was influenced by Sodeisha---not one iota---and that he was never impressed with Yagi Kazuo---Mr.Samza's walk was boring compared to Noguchi--and that his main influence back then was the ceramic artist Yasuhara Kimei! Now I told him how I also liked Yasuhara and that I've offered some of his works at our gallery, he liked that a lot. A few photos are seen here from a Yasuhara retrospective catalog in my library, dating from 1933-1964. I hope to have more Yasuhara one day. Well, Mishima was on the horizon and I bid sayonara, he was very pleased of our happy coincidence to meet as was I. I also hope to visit him in Seto soon, a major ceramic artist and a very nice gentleman too.
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Two debut exhibitions happening and one is Ajiki Jun at Ichihata,Matsue from July 23-29, whose chawan we were the first to show in the world and we have a few gems at www.japanesepottery now, and the Okayama debut at Tenmaya of Miyao Masayuki on now until July 21st; best to both of these emerging talents!

Two Books...

2009-06-25T15:40:00.004+09:00

Two books fell into my lap recently; one more of a pamphlet that tackles a weighty subject, namely the Zen aesthetic term of wabi and its association with the chawan-tea bowl. Veteran Australian potter Milton Moon has put together 'Wabi and the Chawan' and its a gem of a 15-page monograph. Moon contacted me some months ago asking for photos and I sent over a few, ironically the first one in the pamphlet is a Ki-Seto chawan by Kagami Shukai. Others in the book are Kako Katsumi, Kakurezaki Ryuichi, Maruta Munehiko, and of course Moon's own chawan. The pamphlet was published by the Australian Ceramics Association and Milton Moon; web sites for both are www.australianceramics.com and www.miltonmoon.com
The other book was given to me last Saturday at a memorial service in Shizuoka city, see www.jerryyellin.com. The author of 'Japanese Military Sake Cups 1894-1945' Dan King was in attendance and was kind enough to sign a copy of his book for me. These small sake cups were used for all kinds of military purposes and the book notes these with many photos as well as prices of each piece. Published by Shiffer Publishing and available at amazon.com I do believe. Dan is a historian and his web site is http://www.historicalconsulting.com/

Kagami Shukai.......Sad News

2009-06-01T15:06:00.003+09:00

It is with great shock and sadness that I write this; just today I learned that one of the greatest Ki-Seto potters of all time, a great man and gentleman, a man who was always so very kind to me when I visited him and he here to our gallery, a humble man who had just built a new kiln and workshop, ready to get back to work after many kiln failures........Kagami Shukai, was killed in a car accident last month on the 21st. A sad day here in Mishima. I wrote this some years ago:
http://www.e-yakimono.net/html/trio-sv.html

Edo is Not Old.......Part II

2009-05-29T15:48:00.002+09:00

Continuing with some photos from the previous entry......

Edo is Not Old.......

2009-05-21T13:39:00.004+09:00

Last Sunday--May 17th--the Mishima branch of the national Japan Ceramic Society (Nihon Toji Kyokai, in Japanese only: http://www.j-ceramic.jp/index.html) held a special event, that being a lecture by Aichi Prefecture Ceramic Museum's chief curator Inoue Kikuo alongside an exhibition of fine old pots belonging to Mishima members, myself included. Inoue gave a fine talk--despite not being able to hook up his Mac for slides!--on early 8th century to 16th century pottery, notaby styles that oringinated in the Seto region. I had to leave the lecture halfway as we all had to 'monitor' the exhibition room where each member brought in a piece or two from their collections. Wow, some really neat old jars dating from the Yayoi peried to 19th century Edo, with styles such as Atsumi, Tokoname, Bizen, and Seto. I brought in a Muromachi period Bizen jar that is now seen on our gallery at www.japanesepottery.com. After the lecture Inoue walked around the exhibition commenting on each piece; he picked up one 19th century Seto mizusashi and said this is very young! All agreed, yes quite new that one is and they didn't even pay any attention to a 1960s Bizen chawan! For a pot to be old here it has to be at least 300 years okd, preferably early 1700s and backwards. Here are a few photos from the exhibition with parts two and three to follow, I can only upload five photos here. The Aichi Prefecture Ceramic Museum home page is: http://www.pref.aichi.jp/touji/index_e.html

Koinuma Michio--Significant Objects--Exhibition

2009-05-11T11:39:00.002+09:00

Please see this link:http://shizuokagourmet.wordpress.com/

Tokyo Art Fair at the Fabulous International Forum, Tokyo

2009-04-15T12:27:00.005+09:00

Recovery time took longer than expected, yet I guess that's what happens when one has 45,000 people(!) passing by a booth; what a grand parade! I felt like I was sitting in a bus, traveling the country and at the end of eight hours was exhausted for having done 'nothing.' Well, that's not exactly true as of the 45,000 quite a few folks did stop in and many new contacts were made, some pieces sold, and some still being pondered. Visitors ran the gamut of Tokyo from little ones (one eight-year old pointed at me and told his mother, "that's the gaijin who was on NHK about Bizen!) to the respected elders, of whom one couple took home a grand Wakimoto from us. All in all well worth it but for a few complaints. With over 100 dealers and a large layout not that well organized, visitors tired very easily not knowing what to expect as they passed each booth, afterall this was an art fair with everything from noble ancient Chinese pots to three-titted wooden pigs, and all in between---I'm sure you can imagine---with no discernible pattern. Luckily for my booth on one side there was a great Ukiyo-e booth (30 million yen Sharaku anyone?), yet unluckily in the next booth was a huge painting of a yellow cow and then all kinds of assorted smaller paintings of the same ilk. Get the picture? And this was for the whole event. So, I'm hoping next year some order is prescribed and the cows and pigs will be in one area and we can hang with the more.......refined arts. And there you have it.

Art Fair, Tokyo and the passing of Nakazato...

2009-03-26T13:18:00.002+09:00

Japan's largest art fair commences next week from April 2-5 and for the first time my gallery will be exhibiting. The event is at one of Tokyo's most outstanding buildings--The International Forum--right in front of Yurakucho station. My good friend Steve Beimel recently wrote about it and that can be read here, scroll down: http://www.japanlivingarts.com/ The Art Fair, Tokyo's homepage can be viewed here: http://www.artfairtokyo.com/en/index.html If you happen to find yourself in Tokyo please do stop by!

A few weeks ago I read in the paper that Nakazato Tarouemon XIII(Houan) passed away on March 12th at the age of 85, in Japanese only: http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/82723

Obama Gets Some Chopsticks.....

2009-03-04T12:03:00.003+09:00

In Fukui prefecture--home of Echizen pottery and Kumano Kuroemon--there is a small town called Obama (small seashore). As can be expected when Barack Obama was elected president the town went wild and now features all kinds of 'Obama goods' such as rice crackers and bean cakes with the prez's face beaming. The town's mayor is doing all he can do get President Obama to visit and this includes sending all kinds of gifts. The other day I received news of such a gift from the 'bear of Echizen' ceramic artist Kumano Kuroemon. Kumano also is known for his bold calligraphy and was asked to write the kanji for chopsticks--hashi--to be included with a hashi set sent to the White House dining room. Such a 'major' event for the local town made the regional newspaper and I attach photos of both Kumano's calligraphy and the article. I wonder how Obama's hashi skills are; in Japan--no matter how long one has been here--folks will always compliment you if your hashi technique is good enough to pick up beans!

On a serious note, our gallery will be exhibiting new works by some of our favorite artists at the Art Fair, Tokyo from April 2-5; please do stop by if in the nations's capital: http://www.artfairtokyo.com/en/index.html

Only in Japan...

2009-02-05T14:31:00.004+09:00

So, I'm rushing through Mishima station to change lines and not sure how much time I have. As I whiz by the flow of humanity a familiar face catches my eye. I backtrack and do a double-take; pasting on the wall was a photo of Kyoto ceramic artist Kondo Takahiro! As many know, Kondo is the grandson of Living National Treasure Kondo Yuzo (nice memorial museum in Kyoto near Kiyomizu Temple, LNT for cobalt blue-sometsuke) and son of Hiroshi. The poster--sorry for the not so clear photo--in a rush--says to take the winter journey to Kyoto and also to 'open the door to Kyoto.' Kyoto is truly a magical city, and speaking of such, my good friend and Kyoto travel guru Steve Beimel just started a new blog about his life in Kyoto; that can be viewed at http://www.japanlivingarts.com/ The pottery photos are of Echizen master Takemoto Ikuo, whom Steve and I visited last week and whose works are now featured at www.japanesepottery.com Okini.

A Few Exhbitions of Note......

2009-01-29T14:13:00.005+09:00

Even though January and February and not known as months for superb exhibitions there are a few noteworthy ones happening now and on tap for the coming weeks; I'd like to share a few. First off is a fine look at contemporary women ceramic artists being held until February 26th at the Paramita Museum (Japanese only http://www.paramitamuseum.com/) in Mie Prefecture. There is a small bilingual catalog available for the exhibition and please inquire at the museum. In Tokyo at Musee Tomoo there's a look at three generations of the famous Seto-based Kato family. Now which Kato family might that be you ask as it seems *every* potter in Seto has Kato as their last name! Well, this time it's the legendary Kato Tokuro(1898-1085), his son Shigetaka(b.1927) and grandson Takahiro (b.1972.) that runs until March 8. A talk by Shigetaka is happening January 31st, while a gallery talk by Takahiro is set for February 21; more information can be found at the museum's homepage at http://www.musee-tomo.or.jp/. Not far from Seto is where the master potter Suzuki Goro lives and creates his interpretations of classic Mino styles. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Takashimaya's founding, a four-city concurrent Suzuki Goro exihibition will be held from February 18th to the 24th with Tokyo showing Ki-Seto, Yokohama gets Yobitsugi, Shino goes to Osaka and Nagoya naturally takes Oribe. This is an unprecetended one-man exhibition style that I've seen since being in Japan since 1984. On a smaller scale, yet also at Takashimaya, Tokyo is a favorite Mino artist of mine Hori Ichiro from February 4-10. Two celebrated Hagi ceramic artists also have large exhibitions and they are Okada Yu and Kaneta Masanao. Okada just published a book titled the 'Color of Flames' (unfortunately the cover spelling of flames is flams) that showcases his quest to bring that orange flame tone to his works. The exhibition also celebrates the 200th year since the founding of the Okada kiln. The exhibition will be at Yokohama Sogo from February 3-9. Kaneta is showing from February 18-23 at Nihonbashi, Mitsukoshi; a nice exhibition catalog has been published also for his exhibition. Please note the photos shown here start from the bottom working their way up for the order of the exhibitions noted.

The Man Knows Something.....

2009-01-22T13:31:00.004+09:00

About Japan; in fact he's most likely the one of the most knowledgeable folks on the planet about things Japanese; Donald Keene is his name (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Keene) and he loves ceramics. The other day my son was reading the Shizuoka Newspaper and called out that there was a brief article about Keene-sensei and it was devoted to how much he loved Japanese culture and pottery the most. In one hand he's holding a bowl and although it does not mention the name of the potter, from the glazing and design I'd place a bet on Tsuchiya Noriyasu. In the major retrospective book on the late legendary ceramic artist Tsuji Seimei, Keene wrote in the opening essay, "Some years ago I visited a museum in Australia which had a good collection of the pottery of the whole world. The European examples--especially the large Italian majolica plates--bored me and I had not the slightest desire to possess one. The Iranian pieces were more interesting, but almost every one had been patched together from fragments. The pottery of China and Korea was, of course, splendid, and I coveted much of what was on display. But I was most affected by by the works of Japan, especially the kind I disliked thirty years ago from Bizen and Shigaraki." I found this passage from the essay--where Keene also praises the works of Tsuji to no end, as he should--rather profound as it shows Keene's understanding and appreciation of worlwide ceramics (even though he only mentions a few, he has looked at all) and how his appreciation of Japanese ceramics deepened over the years; as I've written before, Japanese ceramics, such as Bizen and Shigaraki, do not jump out to the viewer with glittering beauty, it's a quiet inward dialog and one must have a mature and open-mind to even initiate the conversation. No wonder Donald Keene is such a respected authority on Japan, and beauty.

What's It Worth....

2009-01-14T12:04:00.002+09:00

Here in Japan there's an extremely popular TV program called Nandemo Kantei (We'll Appraise Anything), sort of like an Antique Roadshow overseas. It's quite an entertaining program and the appraisers, mostly dealers, are now celebrities. Anyway, over the New Year's holiday I was watching the program with my daughter and some lady on the show had a collection of porcelain dolls that looked like they were made in Europe. Turns out they were made in Seto and as all pieces of the post-war period were made for foreign tastes and thus for export. As such few remain in Japan and her collection was valued at a whopping six million yen! Next a rather cocky gentleman appeared saying how his Chosen-Karatsu mizusashi was a masterpiece from the Momoyama period (16th C.) and the authenticated box signed by Katsura Matasaburo went to prove it. He placed a value of two million yen on it. I looked at my daughter and said gansaku or fake; the glazing was so off, the form tight as a....., and the hakogaki box writing not fluid at all. Keika (result), 5,000 yen or thereabouts, don't remember the actual number. Boy, was he not happy at all! The show airs weekly with re-runs all the time.

Shigaraki--How it Once Was Done....Part II

2009-01-06T12:22:00.002+09:00

A very happy new year to visitors of my blog, of which a new year's resolution is to update it more frequently! I have a few new blogs in the shadows, yet let's start the new year picking up with photos noted about the old ways of Shigaraki, more photos from this rare book soon.

Zen in Boston

2008-12-01T12:24:00.001+09:00

Zen in Boston, a fine exhibition is now on at MFA, Boston featuring works from great Zen masters from the Gitter-Yellen collection; a review was recently printed in the Boston Globe:
http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2008/11/30/drawing_from_their_spiritual_beliefs/ and the museum's page is at:
http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/sub.asp?key=15&subkey=6962

Shigaraki--How it Once Was Done.....

2008-11-27T12:50:00.004+09:00

A few years ago I found a really neat book published in Showa 8 (1933) showing black and white drawings of the way potters used to work in Shigaraki. In the coming week I'll upload some to this blog in the series of how the process worked back then; of course it was a process defined by a division of labor, there were the clay diggers, the clay processors, the wedgers, etc....and that will be clear by viewing the photos. The book was written by Ono Kenichiro and it titled Shigaraki-yaki Zukai.

Magical Vessels--Shimura Noriyuki

2008-11-11T14:52:00.003+09:00

Eighty quite unique and inspired 'mythical' vessels by Shimura Noriyuki online at www.japanesepottery.com from next week...stay tuned!

Iizumi ImaemonXIV Tokyo Exhibition

2008-10-30T13:11:00.003+09:00

Nabeshima porcelain is without a doubt one of the most regal and important porcelain styles the world has ever known. Started in the early Edo period it was a product only fit for lords and their favored friends. Nabeshima continues on today, for any peasant too who can afford it, and a 14th generation Nabeshima master is Iizumi Imaemon (b.1962, his father the 13th was a Living National Treasure.) The 14th generation Imaemon is bringing a fresh design sense to his works after having studied with Sodeisha founder Suzuki Osamu and then with his father. His first Wako exhibition will be held in Tokyo, Ginza from Nov.5th-12th.

A Walk in the Park....

2008-10-28T11:30:00.003+09:00

A walk in the park, Sunday morning....what can be more delightful. These days I find these walks even more needed, getting off the couch (where I rarely am anyway), away from the computer (where I am almost always in front of), and surely away from the 'dark cloud' news that if one stands under too long imagined rain falls. Better to not let the media affect ones mood too much and rejoice in nature and art. So, I enjoy these walks so much, and some have seen photos on the gallery, I thought I'd share a few photos from last Sunday's walk, where I discovered a tribute lawn party to the past poet Wakayama Bokusui. How cool is Japan, tea and shakuhachi in the park, kimono and poems, sake and song. The park is called Senbon (Thousand Trees, yet many more!) and is located next to Suruga Bay in Numazu city. As I walked by the party a few minutes down the path I heard a haunting voice. A lone man sat on a rock amidst the pines and was singing in a low powerful voice, each note hung in the air, full of energy and also a sweet sadness. It really was a magical performance.
All in the blink of time, a place within of calm, here and now.

Watanabe Akihiko--New Kiln--Brick by Brick.....

2008-10-17T10:24:00.008+09:00

It's really cold in Hirashimizu, Yamagata Prefecture in the winter, that's an area of Japan many simply refer to as 'snow country.' Not the best place to be a potter come that frosty season, and maybe which is why there are so few old traditional kilns in that region; the one exception--although not that old for Japan starting in Bunka 1804-18---being Hirashimizu-yaki with its veteran potter whose work I greatly admire, Niwa Ryochi. Watanabe Akihiko (b.1959) was born in Yamagata and became a potter at Hirashimizu from 1983; he's best known for his elequent seiji-celadon pottery, which has been shown all over Japan. Now that time has crept along as it so naturally does and all the aches that it might also bring, Watanabe has headed south. South to my neighborhood so to speak, in a small country town called Kannami, about a 30 minute drive from our gallery here in Mishima; both towns are located in Shizuoka prefecture. So, a big clay move also involves building a new kiln and yes it's easier to simply fire seiji in a gas kiln, simply ordered and installed. Yet Watanabe is only one of a very rare group that continues--like the late great Okabe Mineo--to fire seiji in a wood-burning kiln. Last week I visited the kiln in progress and share the photos with you. It's a kiln design to his own requirements, meaning that he's building it specifically to get some yohen effects, like those seen on Okabe's legendary seiji masterpieces. First kiln unloading should be next February. Here's a link to a few of his guinomi that were fired in Hirashimizu: http://www.trocadero.com/japanesepottery/items/834811/item834811store.html#item

Nothing to do with Pottery, only about Peace

2008-10-03T21:22:00.003+09:00

My father's new book, please do read it:
http://www.jerryyellin.com/index.html

If you Happen to Be in Southern California/ And a new book...

2008-09-19T16:28:00.004+09:00

Robert will be giving two talks, one at the Mingei International Museum in San Diego on Sept. 26--http://www.mingei.org/events_travel/details.php?EventID=403---and the other at LACMA on the 29th.
My father's new and very moving book:
http://www.jerryyellin.com/index.html

Japan Ceramic Society Award Exhibition

2008-08-28T14:51:00.002+09:00

Last week in Tokyo veteran ceramic artist and living legend Koie Ryoji was awarded the prestigious Japan Ceramic Society's Gold Award. Koie joins an illustrious list of past winners and that list up to 2003 can be viewed here: http://www.e-yakimono.net/html/awards-jcs-all-winners.html A more up-to-date list can be viewed in Japanese at: http://www.j-ceramic.jp/prize/successive.html A few noted speakers talked about Koie saying how even today they were shocked to remember Koie's ground-breaking 'Return to Earth' work of the late 60s. Others said that Koie was a walking piece of art himself! Nevertheless, Koie exhibited many recently fired works and sorry to say it was a mixed-bag. Someone really has to edit his work as he just throws so much of the great out with what are really sorry lots. Anyway, a great honor to a great artist; almost all potters here aspire to win the JSC Award, and this year it went to Mihara Ken, another
favorite of our gallery and where Mihara made his online world debut back in 2001. Here are a few photos from the exhibition, held at Wako from August 22-30.

Carlo Zauli Retrospective in Tokyo

2008-06-26T12:47:00.003+09:00

A major retrospective of Italian ceramic artist Carlo Zauli(1926-2002) is now showing in Tokyo at the The National Museum of Modern Art until August 3rd. Although I cannot say I am familiar with Zauli's work, I do know he was a major influence on Fukami Sueharu and countless others; I show my ignorance here of my Japan ceramic 'tunnel vision.' I will be going---urged to do so--and very much looking forward to seeing Zauli's work. In today's Japan Times:
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fa20080626a1.html

A Fine Book...

2008-05-26T14:25:00.003+09:00

A good friend of mine recently returned from 'Down Under' and brought back a wonderful book, 'The Zen Master, the Potter and the Poet' by Milton Moon (http://miltonmoon.com/). It is a special book full of Moon-sensei's anecdotes of many journeys to Japan, his insights into good pots and the wisdom that can be found when one listens to them in silence. Mr. Moon, if you ever visit Japan again please allow me to take you to Ryutakuji, if you haven't already been, and we can retrace the steps of Hakuin, and also Tsuji Seimei, the photo of him in the previous posting was taken at Ryutakuji. Blessings abound....

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

Fujioka and......

2007-05-11T10:47:00.000+09:00

Many thanks to all who visited our Fujioka Shuhei Power of Iga Part ll Exhibition. It will be online until May 25th, so there is still time to stop by at www.japanesepottery.com or here in Mishima. We'll be offering non-Fujioka pieces on the gallery from Monday May 14.

I was very touched to receive this letter from Mr. T. Jones in the UK, thank you Jones-san:

Reference/Tribute. Please quote from, use as a whole, or smile and ignore. Modern Japanese ceramics is hugely under-appreciated in the West. In part, this is because of the difficulties faced by the Western collector. Unless he buys through outlets local to him he can't examine the objects directly, and how does he gain access to the better works ofthe best potters, which for the most part, go through Japanese dealers to the thousands of avid Japanese collectors? And if he does find sources on the Internet, how can he be sure that the ones on offer aren't the ones that have already been rejected by Japanese buyers? Then there are the language and cultural problems... In the field of Western painting, there are scores of dictionaries, biographies, illustrated critiques and catalogues, and all in English, and there are hundreds of galleries to visit, public and private. While there are Western galleries that display Japanese works - a few - there are very few books that will help the collector, a score maybe, and none that is comprehensive even within a limited area, or that provides enough photographs to impart a grasp of a particular potter's output or of aparticular kiln or tradition, though works on Hamada Shoji, the Shigaraki tradition and Tamba go some of the way. The extraordinary thing about Robert Yellin is how well he meets the collector's needs. Through his archive and e-Yakimono website he provides invaluable catalogues of a huge number of potters, schools, styles and techniques, illustrated by copious colour photographs. As a resource bank it is far from comprehensive - how could it be with a subject that is so massive and so complex? But it is unique and it is a delight. Then, in the special circumstances of his life in Japan, Robert has acquired such knowledge and authority that, as a dealer, he has become a kind of filter, an essential filter, for the Western collector particularly, but also for the Japanese enthusiast, for he sells to him, too. He knows many potters personally and can obtain pots pieces directly from the kiln,thereby giving collectors access to fresh work that doesn't go straight to Tokyo or Kyoto. But pots come to him from many sources, and you know that Robert's descriptions will be accurate and detailed, that his prices will be fair (how many Westerners would know the market value of a work by a potter of whose name he had never heard?). Best of all is his enthusiasm (which is infectious): if Robert delights in a work he will tell you so, and why: you will learn from that, and you will also learn to trust him. T. Jones U.K.

New Green Tea Season

2007-04-25T10:57:00.000+09:00

Shincha--fresh green tea--is always a highlight of spring. Last weekend Yamani-en, an award-winning green tea producer in Numazu, held a shincha-new-green tea event and we were invited to show various yunomi. The event lasted about five hours and hundreds of people came. I explained about the enjoyment of ocha--green tea--using a fine yunomi, believe it or not most Japanese don't even think about this anymore; they feel the porcelain mass-produced stuff is alright, until they touch a yunomi with soul. We'll be offering some of Yamani-en's ocha after 'golden week' (April 29-May 6) along with a yunomi 'sale' on our gallery. In the meantime, please enjoy some views of the event.....

One Million Yen Whiskey in a Special Bottle

2007-04-23T14:26:00.000+09:00

And what might that special bottle be? A B&W photo can be seen here snipped from a weekend newspaper article; the bottle is a Kutani creation by Living National Treasure Tokuda Yasokichi III. The 35 year-old oak-aged Suntory whiskey is limited to 150 bottles and is priced at a cool million yen, tax excluded. Feeling the urge to splurge, toll-free number is just a dial away at 0120-139310, Japanese only and no checks accepted!

Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition 2007

2007-04-13T11:58:00.000+09:00

The biennial Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition opened in Tokyo yesterday at the Daimaru Museum and runs until April 24th. It then travels to Osaka, also at Daimaru, from May 16th-21st. The grand prize went to a celadon work by Shiga Akiyoshi, which I look forward to seeing in person as the work from the photo--seen here--looks proficient, yet truly boring! More award winning works seen here--including Tanoue Shinya--and look for more photos after I get to the exhibition next week. Information in Japanese can be read here:http://www.mainichi.co.jp/event/tougei/

Japan Art Academy Award for Morino Taimei

2007-04-13T11:22:00.000+09:00

One of Kyoto's most celebrated ceramic artist--Morino Taimei--was recently awarded the prestigious Japan Art Academy Award for his henko-jar titled Daichi or Earth. This award is on the same level as of a Living National Treasure, yet differs in that only one work is selected and not an entire career or technique. Previous ceramic artists to have won this award include Imai Masayuki, Kawai Seitoku, Kiyomizu RokubeVI, Aoki Ryozan, Asakura Isokichi and Ohi Toshiro(ChozaemonX), among others. A list of all past winners with photos in Japanese only can be viewed at http://www.geijutuin.go.jp/exam2/05/index.html Morino's award-winning work was exhibited at the 2006 Nitten and is seen in the photo here, courtesy of the Nitten homepage at http://www.nitten.or.jp/

An article in the Asahi Newspaper lists other winners as well, in Japanese only though:http://www.asahi.com/culture/news_culture/TKY200703230364.html

Honami Koetsu Black Raku Chawan--Shigure

2007-03-23T15:58:00.000+09:00

Last week in the Asahi Newspaper was an article about recently named National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties and on the list was a Jomon Dogu named a NT and a Honami Koetsu Raku chawan named Shigure, which means drizzle or shower in late autumn or early winter, was named a ICP. The article from the Asahi can be found here:

http://www.asahi.com/culture/news_culture/TKY200703160334.html

Photo courtesy of The Asahi Shimbun and Koetsu chawan photo from Nihon Toji Zenshu, Vol.22, published by Chuokonronsha, 1977, authored by Hayashiya Seizo.

Okabe Mineo Retrospective Photos

2007-03-15T12:27:00.000+09:00

The opening to the wonderful Okabe Mineo exhibition was on March 5th with the opening for the general public the following day. The opening was very well attended and I was able to get there before almost anyone else and took quite a few photos, of which a few are seen here. The exhibition is divided into three sections; his early Mino inspired works, Tenmoku and lastly his extraordinary celadon. The catalog was well done and we're offering a few copies at www.japanesepottery.com It was interesting to note the authors skirted much of the poverty and controversy that surrounded Okabe's, mentioning very little about his father Kato Tokuro, his name change, the Enin Scandal and his battles with juried exhibits. Nonetheless, for any fan of Japanese ceramics the catalog is a very welcome addition to any library. The energy of his work---especially his ash-glazed Jomon pieces---the most magnificent one pictured here--and his crackled celadon left me speechless, awed. An article on the exhibition will appear in The Japan Times on April 5th.

New Japan Ceramic Society Award Winners Announced

2007-03-06T15:17:00.000+09:00

Since the mid 1950s the Japan Ceramic Society(Nihon Toji Kyokai) has given out its prestigious society award and the even greater gold award; a almost complete list can be found on www.e-yakimono.net The winners of the JCS Award and Gold Award were recently announced and they are for the gold Seto veteran Kato Kiyoyuki, an Aichi prefecture first. Kato has essayed large sculptural works as well as ash-glazed vessels. The JCS award went to Kutani's Takegoshi Jun and Hagi's Miwa Kazuhiko. Takegoshi creates porcelain vessels that often depict whimisical creatures from a master's brush; they are a delight to behold. Miwa--son of Jusetsu and brother to KyusetsuXII--also has expaneded Hagi's Tea world with gold-winged chawan and tuning fork-shaped giant vessels. Interesting to note there were other potters in contention for the awards were; for gold: Koie Ryoji(placed second), Nakazato Takashi, Tokuda Yasokichi, Fukami Sueharu, Hara Kiyoshi, Miwa Kyusetsu, Hirakawa Testuo, Sakaida Kakiemon, Furukawa Shozo, Kakurezaki Ryuichi, Sakaki Masatoshi and Maeda Akihiro. For the JCS Award those whose names were tossed about by the dozen or so judges were Sugiura Yasuyoshi was tops, followed by Fukushima Zenzo, Nakashima Hiromi, Mihara Ken, Kato Tsubusa, Kubota Yasuyoshi, Kondo Takahiro, Uchida Koichi, Katsumata Chieko, Sakiyama Takayuki, Kaneko Jun, Nishihata Tadashi, and Matsumoto Hideo. The award is certainly a major achievement for any artist and their name joins a list of many legends.