Catalog: Artists (1022)

A playful sculpture which challenges the viewers perception by Hayashi Yasuo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Sakuhin (work). It is 12.5 x 9 x 12.5 cm and in perfect condition. According to a description of a similar work in the collection of the Met: Hayashi’s series of black and gray coil-built trompe l’oeil “boxes,” a group that was inspired by his experience flying without lights at night as a kamikaze pilot... this work presents new ways of looking at three-dimensional forms. Hayashi trained in the Japanese style of painting prior to World War II. After the war he became fascinated by avant-garde Western artists, including Pablo Picasso, whose work influenced his early ceramics. He then developed the spare, abstract style that characterizes his mature art. The artist created this piece’s surface patterning by masking certain areas and using an atomizer of his own design to spray glaze onto the stoneware before firing.
Hayashi Yasuo was born in Kyoto in 1928, son of a potter. He began to study traditional painting in 1940, but his studies were interrupted by the Second World War. Folowing the conflict and discharge from the military, he began making pottery, helping to found the Shikokai ceramic society of avant-garde ceramicists in 1947. His artistic career is daunting, and much too long to put into this brief introduction including many awards both domestic and abroad (Italy, France, Portugal, Canada, Australia, New Zealand…). Also he has been the focus of solo exhibitions in some of the most important galleries throughout the Japanese archipelago as well as the United States, Australia and Germany. He is held in the collection of the Museum of Art & Design, New York, Everson Museum of Art, New Orleans Museum of Art, Minneapolis Institute of Art, National Gallery of Australia, National Ceramic Museum Sevres in France, Vallauris Ceramic Museum, Museum of Modern Art, Faenza International Ceramics Museum, Museum of Decorative Art, Prague, Victoria & Albert Museum in London, Seoul Metropolitan Museum in South Korea, National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, National Museum of Art, Osaka, National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art and Museum of Contemporary Ceramics in Shigaraki among many others.

7 various porcelain plates by Living National Treasure Kondo Yuzo decorated with blue, gold and red glazes and featuring pomegranates on six, the sun rising over a precipitous mountain scene decorating the last. The smallest are 18 c (7-1/4 inches) diameter, the largest 24.5 cm (just under 10 inches and all are in excellent condition. There is no box.
Kondo Yuzo (1902-1985) was born in the Gojozaka district of Kyoto and studied alongside Kawai Kanjiro and Hamada Shoji at the Kyoto Ceramics Research facility, where he studied kiln technique directly under Shoji. He then apprenticed under recently returned Tomimoto Kenkichi for three years before establishing himself as a unique artist in the Kiyomizu district of Kyoto in 1924. He served as a professor at the Kyoto University of Art where he helped shape generations of potters. After an illustrious career he was named a Living National Treasure for Sometsuke Porcelain in 1977. Works by the artist are held in the collection of the LACMA, Cleveland and Brooklyn Museums of Art, Kyoto Municipal and Tokyo National Museums of Modern Art among many others.

An organic form by young female artist Tanaka Tomomi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Mimi-nari and dating from 2017. It is 6 x 6 x 5-1/2 inches (15 x 15 x 14 cm) and is in excellent condition.
Tanaka Tomomi was born in Hyogo prefecture, near Kobe, in 1983, and graduated advanced courses at the Aichi University of Education in 2008, however her work has been garnering attention in various exhibitions since 2005. She has received the Kyoto Mayor’s Award at the “39th Women’s Association of Ceramic Art” in 2005, and been prized at the 2006 and 2007 Asahi Togeiten Ceramic Art Exhibition. In 2014 she was given Silver at the 10th International Ceramics Competition Mino. Highly sought after, her work is held in the Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum.

A fabulous textured faceted bottle shaped vase by Sakai Hiroshi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Ai-ji Shino Ichirin Sashi (Blue Shino Single Flower Vase). It is 16.5 cm (6-1/2 inches) tall, 11.5 cm (5 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
Sakai Hiroshi was born in Toki City in central Mino country in 1960. He graduated the Nagoya Institute of Technology in 1983, after which he spent two years at the Tajimi City Ceramic Research Facility before apprenticing under future Living National Treasure Kato Kozo. He has been exhibited or awarded at the National Traditional Crafts Exhibition (Nihon Dento Kogeiten), National Ceramic Art Exhibition (Nihon Togeiten), Asahi Ceramic Exhibition, as well as being exhibited internationally in Taiwan, Korea, and Italy among others. Work by the artist is held in the Italian Faenze Ceramic Museum, The Gifu Prefectural Museum of Modern Ceramic Art and Mino Ceramic Art Museum, both inTajimi as well as the Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum among others.

A small Tsubo by Living Natioanl Treasure Tokuda Masahiko (Yasokichi III) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 15.6cm (6 inches) diameter Roughly the same height and in excellent condition.
Tokuda Yasokichi III (Masahiko, 1933-2009) was born the first son of Tokuda Yasokichi II who had been adopted as a teenager into the Tokuda family. Masahiko graduated from the Kanazawa school of arts, and took up apprenticeship under his grandfather and father Yasokichi I & II. Well versed in orthodox Kutani design, he broke with tradition developing his own unique style titled Saiyu in the 1970s. By broadening his spectrum with this new style of Kutani ware he garnered considerable attention. In 1986, he was named a Bearer of Important Intangible Cultural Assets by Ishikawa Prefecture (local version of Living National Treasure) and a decade later was designated Living National Treasure in 1997 for his supremacy in the use of Kutani glazes. Yasokichi III, His works are held by the Polk Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, The British Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Smithsonian, the Indianapolis Museum of Art and Kanazawa Contemporary Museum of Art among many others.

Red and Blue Rivulets drip down over green melding into the ashen gray textured glaze on this Tea Jar by Sakuchi Ensen enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 25.5 cm (10 inches) diameter, 28.5 cm (11-1/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition. The box top is lightly stained.
Sakuchi Ensen (B. 1922) began on the path of the potter in 1946, searching to create something unusual in the hills of Okayama. His research led him to create this highly decorative yet wildly natural glaze he came to call Hishhoku Nanban Yaki.

An exquisite vessel by Bizen legend Yamamoto Toshu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Bizen Meipin. The form is perfection, covered with a dusting of ash revealing a flame colored eye on one side, everything about the proportions timeless. This is a piece I could wax on for hours about, but will leave that up to the viewer. It is 8 inches (20.5 cm) tall and in perfect condition.
Yamamoto Toshu (1906-1994) began working in a pottery at the age of 15. 12 years later (1933) he went independent, but interestingly decided to train again later not under a Bizen master, but Kusube Yaichi, perhaps stimulating his unusual eye for Bizen. After much acclaim, it was in 1959 that he made his worldwide appearance, with a gold prize at the Brussels World Exposition, and was named an important cultural property of Okayama that same year. He was most in love with the wheel, and his forms are crisp and sharp. He was named a living national Treasure in 1987. Works by the artist are held in the National Museum of Modern Art Tokyo and National Museum of Modern Art Kyoto as well as the Victoria Albert Museum among many others.

Pale jade spots dot the incised surface of this unusual vase by Nagae Shigekazu enclosed in the original signed wooden box retaining the Shiori and Shifuku. The vase, if not for its distant, moon-like quality, has a very pop-art-presence, blending both the austerity of Japanese traditional aesthetics with contemporary art. Fun and moving; a haunting pleasure. It is 14 inches (35.5 cm) tall, 5 inches (13 cm) square at the base, 7 inches (19 cm) wide at the rim and in excellent condition.
Nagae Shigekazu (b. 1953) graduated the Seto Industrial School of Ceramics in 1974 Beginning to grab attention in the late 70s, he has striven to perfect porcelain casting techniques, creating one-off shapes and forms previously impossible. He is held in the collection of the V&A (London), LACMA (Los Angeles) and the National Gallery of Australia, Cincinnati and Cleveland Art Museums, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Japan Foundation and many many others. With very low output, this is a rare opportunity to join the worlds top museum collections by acquiring this artist.
According to Ceramics Now Magazine: Nagae Shigekazu (born in 1953), is one of the leading pioneers of porcelain casting and firing techniques in Japan. Casting is commonly associated with the mass production of porcelain, yet Nagae valiantly transcends this stereotype, ultimately elevating this technique to the avant-garde. Casting alone cannot achieve the natural movements found within Nagae’s forms. His popularity and recognition as an artist have skyrocketed, with acquisitions by the V&A in London, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the National Gallery of Australia in just the past 3 years. Also collected by leading institutions such as the Musée National de Ceramique-Sèvres in Paris and the Musée Ariana in Geneva, among others, as well as receiving prestigious awards such as the Grand Prixs at the 1998 Triennale de la Porcelain in Nyon, the Mino Ceramic Festival and the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition (both 1997), Nagae’s stature and respect in the world of porcelain has reached new heights.

A small unusual Seed-Like basin in earth tones by Gomi Kenji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled O-pa, both the vessel and the title seem open to interpretation. It is 29 x 21 x 16 cm (11-1/2 x 8-1/4 x 6 inches) and in excellent condition.
Gomi kenji was born in Nagano in 1978. After graduating from the prestigious Waseda University, he went to Okinawa where he studied Kokuba-Tougei, Tsuboya ware, which has been produced since the 17th century, in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. In 2004 he moved to Toki city in Gifu, then to Kasama in 2005. He is now Designated Professor, Kasama College of Ceramic Art. The process of firing ceramics is central to the creation of his works. The organic shape of the work is the result of choosing the most logical form from the viewpoint of firing. In addition, the color and texture that make you feel the full earthiness can be obtained by burying it in rice husks and firing it. He has been displayed at the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, the Kikuchi Biennale, Mashiko Ceramic Art Exhibition, and in 2014, he won the Grand Prix at the 10th International Ceramics Competition Mino, Ceramic Arts Category. Work by him is held in Museums here in Japan and throughout the world, including the Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu, Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyougo and Victoria & Albert Museum, London among others.

An agate-like cluster floats in the crystal glass of this large vessel by leading Japanese glass artist Hosoi Moto-o enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Ever inventive his works speak of the asymmetry and textures of the natural world. It is 43 cm (16-3/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Hosoi Moto-o (Motoo) was born in Osaka in 1964, and both his older brother and sister also became glass artists. After creating a studio with his brother, he ventured out on his own. He has been exhibited and or awarded at the National Modern Crafts Exhibition, (Nihon Gendai Kogei-Ten) and the Nitten National Art exhibition among others. His dynamic glass works are based on the theme of nature and time.

This past summer I had occasion to visit Richard Milgrim in his Mountain Studio and asked him to pair some sake cups and Tokkuri for us. It is a rare opportunity to have an artist personally select pieces which he feels work together. This set is making use of his signature Concord glaze (Konko-yu) from America, with clay from Japan, while the cup is also using a variant of that glaze Black Concord (Konko-guro). The Tokkuri is 9 cm (3-1/2 inches) diameter, 12 cm (5 inches) tall. The rim of the cup wavers between 6 and 6.5 cm diameter (roughly 2 inches) and both are new from the artist in perfect condition.
Richard Milgrim (b. 1955) of White Plains New York graduated Antioch College in 1979 following a year travelling in Japan and internship at the Fogg Museum of Harvard. That same year he began down a path, following a “way” as it is called in Japan, Sado or Chanoyu, the Japanese Tea Ceremony. That same year he returned to Japan, apprenticing initially under Iwabuchi Shigeya while studying at the Midorikai of Urasenke. His first solo exhibition was held in 1981, one of many, and he subsequently began to move about Japan, gobbling up styles under various masters such as Living National Treasure Fujiwara Yu, Kato Koemon and Tahara Tobei. He established his own kiln in Hiyoshi, North of Kyoto in 1984. He is probably the only foreign potter to be truly accepted into the brand conscious world of Japanese tea, and his shows frequently sell out early. From 2000 to 2014 he spit his time between Hiyoshi and a kiln he established in Concord Massachusetts, where he developed some innovative techniques and glazes now firmly a part of his repertoire in Japan. He is adept therefore with Shino, Oribe, Bizen, Seto, Karatsu and Yakishime styles. According to Richard “Since 1977 on my first arrival in Kyoto, I have been blessed with an unending flow of "deai" (encounters) that have almost been like stepping stones on the garden path, leading me into the innermost depths of the field of "Chatou" (tea ceramics).Undoubtedly the most significant "deai" was meeting Dr. Sen Genshitsu (the former 15th generation Grand Master of the Urasenke Tea Tradition), in 1979. With his guidance and endorsement over the years, including the naming of my 2 studios in both Japan-RICHADO-GAMA, and America- KONKO-GAMA, Dr. Sen has been the primary catalyst in the development of my career over the past 40 years.”

A spectacular work by Maeda Masahiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iro-e Kin-gin-sai Mentori Hachi (Faceted Bowl with Gold, Silver and Colored Decoration). It is roughly 6-1/2 inches (16.5 cm) diameter, 5-1/4 inches (14 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Maeda Masahiro (b. 1948) graduated the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts in 1975where he received instruction from Living National Treasure Fujimoto Yoshimichi and Tamura Koichi as well as Asano Akira. He has exhibited with the Nihon Dento Kogeiten (National Traditional Crafts Exhibition), The National Ceramics Exhibition (Nihon Togeiten), and taken part innumerable museum and traveling exhibitions both within Japan and abroad. Hi works have been collected by the Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, Musée Tomo, Tokyo, Minneapolis Institute of Art, and Asian Art Museum, San Francisco among many others.

Tarnished beaded silver is draped in gold over which runs a deep forest green on this apple shaped chawan by innovative artist Ichikawa Toru enclosed in the original signed wooden box. A thick gold tinged bead dangles from one side, and bubbly dark glaze pools within. It is 11.5 cm (4-1/2 inches9 diameter and in excellent condition. He really takes things to the extreme, challenging and yet incorporating something of the idea of Wabi into his outlandish works.
Ichikawa Toru was born in Tokyo in 1973. In 2015 he established his current studio in Bizen after 4 years of apprenticeship under another Bizen Outsider, Kakurezaki Ryuichi. He has since developed quite a following, with his shows selling out often within hours.

Burgeoning grapes in vivid gold decorate this pure white bowl by Ono Hakuko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hakuji Kinrande Chawan. It is 13.3 cm (over 5 inches) diameter, 7.2 cm (3 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
From Aichi prefecture, Ono Hakuko was trained by her father initially in the ceramic arts. However, she was most strongly influenced by the great experimentive artist Kato Hajime (1901-1968) and his work with gold. This affected her own style deeply, and it can be said that she carried on his research. She was awarded the JCS award in 1980, one of Japans most prestigious ceramics awards. In 1992 she was named an important cultural asset (Juyo mukei bunkazai) of Saga prefecture. Bucking the traditional image here is another of Japans great cultural assets who fought against a system of prejudice to rise to the top and it is an honor to be able to offer something by her. For more on this important modern artist see Touch Fire, contemporary Japanese Ceramics by Women Artists (2009)

An unusual lidded vessel in the shape of a clay pitcher beautifully patterned with natural ash glazes by Furutani Churoku I enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Shizen-Yu Dobin Hanaire. This looks like something drawn from a literati painting, a scholar seated with his brushes and ink beside a table upon which tea cools, the tall pot promising refreshment. The glaze lies heaviest between the handle and spout, dribbling down into the ember blackened ash deposits below, while opposite Tombo-no-me (dragonfly-eyes) permeate the red clay surface. The receptacle is 27 cm (11 inches) tall and in excellent condition, directly from the family.
Furutani Hiromu (Churoku I, 1922-2012) Fascinated by the aesthetics of "wabi" and "sabi" expressed in the “Koge” (Charing),“Hi-iro”(Flame Color) and other naturally born kiln effects of Shigaraki ware, Furutani Hiromu devoted himself to the recovery of pre-Edo firing techniques. He was on the forefront of research into ancient kiln construction and he recreated both an Anagama and then a climbing kiln which could produce wares to rival the ancients. In the manner of craftsmen of time immemorial, he produced both Tsubo and Tea Ware. He was the first artist named a Dento Kogeishi (Traditional Craftsman) in Shigaraki, accepting that honor in 1976. After that his works were exhibited throughout Japan, as well as internationally. Breaking from tradition however, he also worked to create carved and modeled pieces with animated creatures writhing across the surfaces or arching to form handles.

Glaze Bidoro sweep upwards toward one red eye on this amazing tsubo by Yukuyoshi Manabe enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Bizen Yohen Tsubo. It is 11 inches (28 cm) diameter, 10-1/4 inches (26 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Yukuyoshi Manabu was born in Kagatonishi near the heart of Bizen country in 1941. After working in Osaka as a young man, he returned to Bizen to assist the family building supply company. There he began to study clay under Mori Hozan and Ohira Seinosuke. After rebuilding an old kiln, he established his own. He ahs exhibited with the Issuikai Ten, the Chunichi Kokusai Togeiten, the National Ceramic Exhibition (Nihon Togeiten) among many others and has received a great many awards over his career.

Five Oribe plates of elongated rectangular form splashed with red by important contemporary potter Yamada Kazu and enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kakuyu Oribe Choho-zara. Kakuyu-oribe is a style developed by and unique to Kazu. Each is roughly 15 inches (38 cm) long and all are in excellent condition.
Kazu was born in Tokoname city, one of Japans ancient kiln areas, into a line of potters. He would have been influenced early on by his father, Yamada Kenkichi and uncle living National Treasure Yamada Jozan. He graduated the Osaka Art University before moving to Echizen to establish his first kiln. He was propelled to international fame after building an Anagama kiln in Germany in 1988. He has been displayed domestically at the Asahi Togeiten, Nipon Togeiten and Chunichi Kokusai Togeiten as well as a host of private exhibitions in prominent galleries and department stores.

An exceptional sake cup by Living National Treasure Shimizu Uichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Ki Ho Rai Tai Sen Mon Hai. It is covered in his famous shattered-ice-like glaze with metallic drips circling the rim. It is 6 cm diameter (2-1/2 inches), 4 cm tall and in excellent condition, complete with the original Shiori and Shifuku.
Shimizu Uichi (1926-2004) was born in Kyoto the son of a ceramic dealer. Discarding the family business, he apprenticed in plastic arts under future Living National Treasure Ishiguro Munemaro. His work retains some principal elements of his teachers style while incorporating an understated elegance and avant-garde spirit of challenge uncommon for his time. He was first exhibited at the Nitten in 1951, receiving numerous awards there since. He also took the gold medal at the Prague International Exhibition, and was at the Brussels World Exposition. He is in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum, Kyoto Museum of Modern art, Clark Center and the Freer Gallery among many others.