Catalog: Artists (1012)

A spectacular Shino Vase in deep murasaki and white by Tamaoki Yasuo enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 11 inches (28 cm) tall, roughly the same diameter and in excellent condition. This piece is from the era in which Yasuo won the Japan Ceramic Society award (JCS) in 1979. Included is a catalog from Mitsukoshi Department Store and an advertisement for the Exhibition of JCS Award Winners.
Yasuo was born in Tajimi in 1941, one of the homes of Mino ware. He began his path to professional ceramicist at the Tajimi Industrial High School, and a stint at the Gifu Ceramics Research institute, where he followed the footsteps of a number of modern ceramic artists such as Hamada Shoji and Kawai Kanjiro, who also began their careers in the same manner. He then apprenticed under Kato Kohei before establishing his own kiln. Since, his list of exhibitions and awards is too long to print, but include the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten (National Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition), Best of Show twice at the Tokai Dento Kogei Ten (Tokai Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition), as well as being prized at the Asahi Togei Ten (Asahi Ceramics Exhibition), and receiving the prestigious Japan Ceramics Society Award. In 1991 he was named an intangible cultural asset of Tajimi city

A perfectly turned orb vase covered in fissured celadon by Minegishi Seiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is roughly 12 inches (30 cm) diameter and in excellent condition. Born in 1952 in Saitama, he studied under various masters in Nagano, Tochigi and Ibaragi, going solo at the young age of 22. He worked in Kohiki ware initially, but moved to celadon, and is considered one of a select few true masters of that form in Japan today. He moved his kiln from Saitama to Nasu in Tochigi in 1993, and has since exhibited with the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten, Dento Kogei Shinsaku Ten and Nihon togeitenamong others. A piece by this artist sold at Christies (sale 5579, lot 349) for 1,750 pounds (2,970 dollars). For more see issue 21 of Daruma Magazine.

Copper greens splash this bold chawan by Kojima Kenji enclosed in the original signe wooden box. It is 5 inches (12.5 cm) diameter, 3-3/4 inches (9 cm) tall and in fine condition. Kojima Kenji was born in Aichi prefecture in 1953, and graduated the Tokoname Ceramics High School in 1971. He moved to Iga where he studied and was immediately accepted into the Asahi Togeiten Ceramics Exhibition. The following year he moved to Okayama, where he would remain 5 years studying Bizen and the complexities of that clay and it’s firing process. He returned to Iga in 1979, where he built his own kiln on the ruins of an ancient site. He has since been exhibited at the Asahi Togeiten, Chunichi Kokusai Togeiten Ceramics Exhibition, and Nihon Togeiten National Ceramics exhibition among many others. His work is held in the Danish National Museum.

The glaze on this sculpted form by The Bear of Echizen Kumano Kuroemon (also Kurouemon) is covered in the most fantastic crustations of glaze. Thick white over scarred red over shatterd black on an unconventional shape the artist has titled marukawara (round tile). It has Tomo everything, Artists history, wrapping cloth, with his ubiquitous calligraphy all over the signed box. The piece is 29 x 17 x 8 cm (11-1/2 x 6-1/2 x 3 inches) and is in perfect condition.
A ceramic madman, oil painter and recluse, Kuroemon is as eccentric as his pottery predicts. Born in Fukui prefecture in 1955 Kroemon was a painter from youth, he began his studies under Fujita Jurouemon in 1976, and moved to study also under Toda Soshiro. Invited to the Soviet Union he spent time there and in Sakhalin in the 80s, returning to Japan to build his own kiln in 1987. He was the feature of a major exhibition in Germany in 2004, butaside from a few small exhibitions held in Japan (which quckly sell out) he remains a huble artist holed up in his mountain hermitage and works by him are not easy to acquire, with guinomi selling at 1000 dollars.

A very cool Ginsai covered dish by Banura Shiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Bright silver swirls to the center alternated by wrinkled lead colored glaze. It is 8 inches (20.5 cm) diameter and in excellent condition.
Shiro was born the fourth son of Living National Treasure for Lacquerware. His sensitivity to textures may stem from that exacting influence. Although his older brother succeeded the family tradition (another branching into paper arts), Shiro, after graduating the Kyoto University of Fine Art, apprenticed in the plastic arts under Kawamura Kitaro (1899-1966). He has an impressive list of exhibitions, including a private exhibition at the Umeda Kindai Bijutsu-Ten as well as the Niponbashi Mitsukoshi, Takashimaya, and Ikebukuro Tobu, the equivalent of being displayed on New Yorks Fifth Avenue or other cities most Trendy streets, as well as many international exhibitions. Like most Iga-area artists, his output is low, but quality and originality high, making his work very much in demand.

Try describing this incredible Mizusashi covered in glassy Oribe green glaze by important artist Hayashi Shotaro enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Spectacular is all that comes to mind. It is entirely sculptural, with a refinement of glaze only this artist can create. The piece is 7 inches (18 cm) tall, 9 inches (23 cm) diameter and in perfect condition. Shotaro (b. 1947) is one of the biggest names in contemporary Mino ceramics. He first began with a 7 year apprenticeship under his older brother Kotaro, ending when he established his own kiln in 1974. Since then his list of exhibitions and awards has been amazing, including the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten (National Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition), Governors Prize and five times winner of Best of Show at the Asahi Togei Ten (Asahi Ceramics Exhibition), and Best of Show at Gifu Prefectural Exhibition among many many others.

A superb Iga Mizusashi by Saji Kotaro enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 7 inches (18 cm) diameter, 7-1/2 inches (19 cm) tall and in excellent condition. Saji Kotaro was born in 1947, and relocated to Tajimi in 1977 where he opened a kiln in Yamabuki cho specializing in tea ceramics.

A superb example of the work of this Living National Treasure, 8 inches (21 cm) diameter, 7-1/2 inches (19 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Designated Living National Treasure in 1997 for his supremacy in the use of Kutani glazes, Yasokichi, born Masahiko, has gone a step further than many National Treasures by broadening his spectrum with a new style of Kutani ware. Masahiko graduated from the Kanazawa school of arts, and took up apprenticeship under his father Yasokichi II. His works are held by many private collections, as well as the Polk museum and Kanazawa Contemporary Museum of Art.

This is a splendid example of work by one of Japans true ceramic masters, Kato Takuo (1917-2005), signed on the base and enclosed in the original signed and stamped wooden box titled Aoyu-kinsai Hanaike. The work surpasses the simplicity of the title, covered in rich blue glaze with silver clouding and gold highlights on the looping waves about the rim, the piece exemplifies the unusual forms favored by the artist in the late 80s and early 90s, leading up to his being given the most coveted title in Japan of living National Treasure. The simple bottle form decorated with convoluted loops reminds one of an ancient glass bottle pulled from 2000 years of sleep off the floor of the Aegean Sea. The vase stands 8-1/4 inches (21 cm) tall and is in perfect condition. Kato Takuo, I am sure, requires no introduction. He was trained in ceramics by both his father, Kato Kopei, and at the Kyoto School of ceramics. He was soon accepted and consistently displayed at any number of National and International Exhibitions, and was named an Intangible Cultural Asset in 1995. Sadly he passed away of pneumonia on January 12 of this year. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a piece by this highly sought Japanese Artist.

A superb Uzukumaru tsubo by Tsujimura Shiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Shell marks, kutsuki, ash blasting. The piece is 7-3/4 inches (19.5 cm) tall, 6 inches (15.5 cm) diameter and in excellent condition.
Tsujimura Shiro was born in Nara in 1947, and began his steps into the art world as an oil painter. While living at a Buddhist temple he experienced a profound connection with a Korean Tea Bowl, and began potting. He is highly acclaimed and somewhat reclusive, avoiding the public spectacles often needed to make one in Japan.

Enigmatic figures rise from concave discs on the front of this massive Tenmoku Vase by modern sculptural artist Ohi Toshiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The gourd shaped form is covered in a mottled red Kaki-yu spotted with flashes of black. The smooth evenly graduated sides contrast with the sharp rough edge of the opening, both surprising and pleasing. Signed clearly on the base, the vase is 14 inches (36 cm) tall, 9-1/2 inches (24 cm) diameter and in perfect condition. Toshiro was born in 1927, the first son of Ohi Chozaemon IX. He graduated the Tokyo University of Arts in 1949, and then returned for a short time to the family kiln. He has since been professor at a number of prestigious Japanese institutions. He has been a consistent exhibitor with the Nitten National Exhibition, and served as both judge and director there, as well as acting as judge for the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition. He was awarded the Japan Ceramics Society award in 1957. He was also granted the Art Academy Award of Japan, perhaps one of the most prestigious of all honors in this country in 1985. He has been actively exhibiting abroad since 1949, including North America, The former Soviet Union, most of Europe as well as in the Middle East. In 1983 a tea bowl made by Toshiro was given as a gift to the Emperor and it, as well as several subsequent pieces, are in the permanent collection of the Imperial Household Agency). He accepted the name of Ohi Chozaemon X in 1987. Since his reputation has only grown greater. There is a derth of information available on this artist.

A lidded vessel of diamond form decorated with a circle and square viewed through vertical blinds of changing colors beaded with silver dew by Kondo Takahiro. It comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box enclosed inside a red lacquered outer wooden box (Niju Tomobako) dating circa 2002. The piece measures 7-1/2 x 4 x 10 inches (19 x 11 x 25 cm) and is in perfect condition.
Takahiro (b. 1958) was born the grandson of Living National Treasure Kondo Yuzo. However he graduated Hosei university not with a degree in sculpture or crafts, but in Literature. From there he studied at the Kyoto Prefectural Technical Institute of Ceramics, followed by a year at the Kyoto Municipal Institute of Industrial Research. 15 years later he would spend a year in Edinburgh studying glass making, and with this combination of skills, was born the silver mist series for which he is so highly acclaimed. Work by him is held in Museums throughout the world, including the National Museum of Scotland, Brooklyn Museum of Art, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Museum of Arts & Design, New York, Spencer Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Art Gallery NSW, Sydney, Hamilton Art Gallery, Australia, Miho Museum. National Gallery of Victoria, Paramita Museum, The Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art, Shigaraki, and The São Paulo Museum of Art, Brazil among others. Without a doubt one of the most important contemporary artists in Japan today. For more see Celestial Ceramics: the Art of Kondo Takahiro (2002)

This natural form is charred and blackened, rivulets of glaze running like lava down the side, a seminal work by veteran Shigaraki artist Minagawa Takashi enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 15 x 13 x 19 cm (6 x 5 x 8 inches) and is in fine condtion.
Takashi was borni in Shigaraki in 1930, and raised among the many kilns in the valley. He apprenticed under Komori Shoan, and uses both climbing and Subteranian kilns to the extent that no one is said to be able to approach his kiln effects. His work is exhibited in Japan’s top galleries, including Kuroda Toen (Ginza) and a host of Department store galleries.

Graffito scrawls through the silver lining of this fine Chawan by Morino Taimei enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The rackish wave on the outside saunters away from the dip of the silver inside the rim, creating a very playful complexion. The bowl is 12.5 cm diameter, 7.5 cm tall and in perfect condition. An article clipped from a catalog shows a very similar bowl priced at the time at 200,000 yen.
Taimei was born in Kyoto in 1934, and was first accepted into the Nitten National Exhibition at a relatively young age in 1957 (a year before graduating the Kyoto Municipal University of Fine Art!). In 1960 he received the prestigious Hokutosho prize at the same National Exhibition. In the early 60s he worked as a guest professor at the University of Chicago. Upon his return to Japan his career began to lift off with a second Hokutosho Prize at the Nitten, followed by The governors prize and others at the Gendai Kogei Ten (Modern National Crafts Exhibition). He was subsequently selected for display at the Kyoto and Tokyo National Museums in 1972 and was accepted into the first Nihon Togei Ten that same year. Since his list of exhibitions and prizes has continued to grow, with subsequent selections in the Tokyo and Kyoto museums of Art, as well as exhibitions in Paris, Italy, America, Canada, Denmark and others. In 2007 he received the Japan Art Academy Prize, an award to a work of art similar in weight to the bestowing of Living National Treasure to an artist. This puts the artist in a small club, rare and important. For more information on the artist see Contemporary Japanese Ceramics, Fired with Passion by (Lurie/Chan, 2006) or the recent exhibition of works titled Generosity in Clay from the Natalie Fitz-gerald Collection.

How to describe the texture on this very unusual vase? It is porous, like a thick coat of lichen on the surface. This is one of the many unusual pieces we have come to expect from the artist Koinuma Michio, ever a surprise! The body is sculpted with thick undulating lines in relief, and covered with this earth-toned porous glaze. It is 10 inches (26 cm) tall, 12 x 5-1/2 inches (31 x 14 cm) and is in excellent condition. It is stamped on the base by the artist and signed Koinuma Michio, S. 50 6 5 (June 5th 1975) Mashiko. The Kiri-wood box is not signed.
Michio is a compelling figure unique among contemporary artists. He seems to have no limit to his imagination and creativity, still dazzling us with new concepts after four decades. Born in the hectic war years in 1936, he is incredibly intelligent, graduating the economics department of Osaka University, then on to Waseda for graduate studies, one of the top three schools in Japan. Relinquishing that life he opened a kiln in Mashiko in 1970. Since 1978 he has been consistently displayed at the best galleries in Japan, as well as overseas. For more see Contemporary Japanese Ceramics Fired with Passion (ISBN -10: 1-891640-38-0) or To volume 10, which is dedicated entirely to him.

A set of five yunomi cups and five matching plates enclosed in the original signed wooden boxes, each uniquely decorated with cobalt designs and striking gold patterns. The cups are 4 inches (10 cm) tall, the plates 5-1/2 inches (14 cm) diameter and all are in excellent condition.
Ando Hidetake was born third generation into a Mino pottery family in Gifu prefecture in 1938. He began an apprenticeship under Kato Tokuro in 1960. A testament to his skill, he was accepted for the first time four years later into the National Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition (Nihon Dento Kogei Ten), and followed that by taking governors prize at the Asahi Ceramics exhibition in 1970, and acceptance into the Japanese National Ceramics Exhibition (Nihon Togei Ten) in 1971; since he has displayed often with all of these important events. One of a small group of potters credited with the revival of Shino, he was named an Important Prefectural Cultural Property in 2003 (Gifu-Ken Juyo Mukei Bunkazai, the prefectural version of the Living National Treasure).

Another Radical piece by Hayashi Shotaro, this dramatic tsubo is thinly veiled in a crystalline feldspathic glaze, the violent eruptions peeling away from the surface catching and pooling the glaze to spectacular effect. It comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The piece is 12-1/2 inches 831.5 cm) tall, 10-1/2 inches (27 cm) diameter and in excellent condition. Shotaro (b. 1947) is one of the biggest names in contemporary Mino ceramics. He first began with a 7 year apprenticeship under his older brother Kotaro, ending when he established his own kiln in 1974. Since then his list of exhibitions and awards has been amazing, including the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten (National Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition), Governors Prize and five times winner of Best of Show at the Asahi Togei Ten (Asahi Ceramics Exhibition), and Best of Show at Gifu Prefectural Exhibition.

An exquisite Nerikomi basin by Shiobara Yoshio enclosed in the original signed wooden box exhibited at the 9th Nihon Togeiten National Exhibition. Nerikomi is the technique of working with layers of variously colored clays. This basin measures 17 inches (43 cm) diameter, 6 inches (16 cm) tall and is in fine condition. The original exhibition tag remains on the base with a note stating it was purchased for 400,000 yen (currently about 5,000 dollars) at that time. The original exhibition catalog is also included.
Due to size the cost of shipping will be assessed separately from the list price.