Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian (75)

A stunning Globular Bizen vase like burnished bronze covered by a dusting of ash by living National Treasure Yamamoto Toshu enclosed in an artist signed wooden box. The style is called Sangiri, and Toshu has pulled it off to perfection here, the keen characteristic suiting this artists work. It is likely an older (pre-war) work boxed later. The vase is 7 inches (17 cm) diameter, roughly the same height. There is a mark on the base, roughly 2 inches long. Toshu, (1906-1994) began working in a pottery at the age of 15. 12 years ater (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.

Here is a quintessential piece by Master Mashiko Potter and Living National Treasure Hamada Shoji (1894-1978) enclosed in the original signed and stamped wooden box. The subtlety of the wide faces is a pleasant contrast with the rich iron frame of the narrow sides and top. A cluster of leaves in a zen circle underscored or shaded by tapering rails under heavily crackled clear glaze, a snowy white belt running across the scene is what we see. However there is more to this vase, a subtle texture of faint trenches can be felt running at varying angles and curves up the opposing faces. Color seems to be draining from the lip, collecting in a pool of blue, brown and gold on top and flowing down the thin sides. The vase is 4-3/4 by 3 by 7-3/4 inches tall (12.5 x 7.5 x 19.5 cm) and is in perfect condition. Hamada Shoji was born in Tokyo, and enrolled in the Tokyo Technical University at the age of 19. In 1918 he met the important British potter Bernard Leach, and the history of ceramic arts was forever changed. One of the most influential and sought after of all Japanese Ceramic artists. There is no shortage of reading material for those who would like to learn more about this potter.

Running up to the end of our 60s and 70s ceramics, here is a great piece by a student of Yagi Kazuo, Yoshitake Hiromu (Hiroshi) enclosed in the original signed wooden box and dating from the late 60s or early 70s encapsulating the feeling of rage against conformity then rupturing the Japanese ceramic world. It is 6 x 14 x 16 inches (15 x 35 x 40 cm) and is in fine condition. Due to size and weight the cost of shipping will be accrued separately for this piece.
Born in Kyoto in 1938, Hiromu was a member of Sodeisha and studied under Yagi Kazuo concentrating on sculpture. Initially in Kyoto, then Otsu, he is now established in Nagano prefecture. For more on this artist see the book Gendai Nihon Togei (Kinki volume II).