Japanese Tokkuri / Vase by greatest Tsujimura Shiro 650 $
A fine Tokkuri by the greatest Shigaraki Legend Tsujimura Shiro. It is enclosed in the original signed wooden box.
Shiro was born in Nara in 1947, likely needs no introduction, certainly one of Japans most well known potters, he has been displayed both nationally and internationally innumerable times.
Tsujimura Shiro first became interested in pottery while studying to be a painter in Tokyo. He rejected the notion of apprenticing with an established master or attending art school, and instead launched out on his own. After sequestering himself in a Zen temple, he began to teach himself about clay, ultimately building his own studio and several kilns in Nara. For this vessel, he used the feldspathic clay typical of the Shigaraki area and fired it in a wood-burning kiln, which resulted in the dramatic rivulets of natural ash glaze that decorate its surface.
We have three more interesting valuable items of Tsujimura Shiro. Please browse the catalogue or kindly inquire.
Size: 15,6 cm hight x 9,9 cm and 3,9 cm width.
Shipping included
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Hen-to tsubo vase by greatest Kawai Kanjiro make offer
A haunting work by Kawai Kanjiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box simply titled Hen-To. Decorated and all covered in crackled colours, it is 5,5 x 2,8 x 3,9 inches. It is in good condition with only a few tiny spots of chipped off glaze. But it does not affect its magic.
Kanjiro was a true artist by nature, and together with Hamada Shoji, set a pattern of study for modern potters. After graduating the Tokyo School of Industrial Design, he came to study in Kyoto, eventually establishing his own kiln on the Gojo-no-Saka (It remains standing today and is a must see for anyone visiting Kyoto). Together with compatriots Hamada Shoji and Bernard Leach (with whom he traveled throughout Asia) established the modern Mingei movement in ceramics, the most influential ceramics movement in the 20th century. His research on glazes (of which he developed thousands over a lifetime of work) remains influential as well. Refusing to be limited to ceramics, Kanjiro also worked in bronze, wood and paint. An interesting final note on this unusual artist, when offered the title of Living National Treasure, an honor bestowed on very few, he declined.
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2 Shigaraki Vases by Koyama Kiyoko with original box 1.800 $
No words can describe these two incredible vases by Koyama Kiyoko, signed on the base and enclosed in the original signed and stamped wooden boxes. Kiyoko, born 1936 started as a painter who drew designs on pottery. Today, she is considered one of the leading Shigaraki potters both nationally and internationally. Kiyoko was the subject of the feature film Days of Fire (Hibi), and is the pioneering female wood firing artist in Japan,the potter’s dramatic life and the trajectory of her artistic career. Kiyoko has a list of shows and prizes too lengthy to go through,but the highlights are, Nihon Dento Kogei Ten (Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition), Nihon Togei Ten (Japanese Ceramic Exhibition), as well as being prized at the Asahi Togei Ten (Asahi Ceramics Exhibition), and many international exhibitions.
Kiyoko Koyama, what are the colours of natural glaze?
"The green of the Shigaraki mountains; the azure blue of the Daido River. I dig my clay out of the mountains of Shigaraki and dry the raw clay in the open air for quite a few day. Then I remove the many stones in the clay. knead it , and leave it to mature for a number of years. Although I like to maintain a flavour of Kamakura and Muromachi-period pottery, my forms are always new and original. Firing is carried out in the traditional way, leaving the pieces in the Kiln for about two weeks. For fuel I use large quantities of various woods including pine ,chestnut and oak. I do not add a single drop of glaze. The pots are fired until the last possible moment when they are about to crumble in the heat; this long confrontation with the flames is a battle of strength and willpower.”
From ’My Natural Glazes ’by Kiyoko Koyama 1. Reference:’ I Love Pottery ’ Kiyoko Koyama , Kokoku to Bunka (The Lake Country and its Culture) vol.40 (1987). Natural glaze :the natural effects of wood-ash settling on the pots during firing.
This is the house of the famous potter Koyama Kiyoko. Her life is now the basis of a new film titled "Hi-Bi" (starring Yuko Tanaka and directed by Banmei Takahashi), which opens nationwide in January 2010.
Koyama was born in 1935 in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, and went to work in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture, when she was just 18 to learn the art of pottery decoration. She established her own kiln some years later, and here's where her story begins. First her husband -- also a potter -- taunts her and tells her she can't fire an anagama properly. He then leaves with a younger apprentice, and Koyama is on her own with two young children. They are constantly in a state of poverty, and often Koyama's teacher stops by to check to see if the electricity has been left on, or not. Yet she lives for clay and although her kids ask her if she likes to be bimbo (penniless), they see she has no other choice; clay is in her blood.
The film shows the long, long hours necessary to make the pots. Koyama did this in solitude with less than favorable results. Her kids question her when she smashes pots freshly unloaded from the kiln: "These are fine," they say. "Why are you doing this?" For an answer she shows them an ancient shard, plucked from behind the kiln roof and one that sparkles with the natural shizen-yu (ash glaze); she will settle for nothing less. She increases the length of the firings, until a full two weeks have passed -- quite an extraordinary feat.
The results? Magical, with intense rivulets of shizen-yu gracing the pots; she lets out an earth-shattering shout of triumph: "Yoosha!"This is an old house that used to be behind my wifes parents house. Damn spooky. It has been torn down since this video was shot.
Size: No. 1: 15,7 cm x 9,9 cm \ No. 2: 18,4 cm x 9,5 cm
Great condition, no chips or cracks.
Shipping included
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Great Bowl of Living National Treasure Kaiji Tsukamoto 1.800 $
This is a set of a vintage Japanese porcelain tea plate, which was made by a Human National Treasure, Kaiji Tsukamoto (1912-1990) about 40 years ago.
This legendary star potter was honored in 1983 with the most importend award "Living National Treasure/Japanese Human National Treasure.
Flowers are molded on the plate. The seal of his kiln is stamped on the bottom.
The original wooden box with the signature of his kiln name & his profile are also included.
Items of Kaiji are hold in the most famous museums and are sold at Christie's, Sotheby's and Bonhams. Please investigate
bonhams.com/auctions/11615/lot/55/
christies.com/lotfinder/lot/tsukamoto-kaiji-porcelain-bowl-3883778-details.aspx?pos=7&intObjectID=3883778&sid=&page=12
Best condition.
Size: 18,5 cm x 8 cm
Shipping included.
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Tea Plate by Living National Treasure Kaiji Tsukamoto 1500 $
This is the second valuable porcelain item of Japanese Living National and Human Treasure Tsukamoto Kaiji that we offer from our collection.
A bird and leaf patterns are molded on the plate. The seal of this great potter is stamped on the bottom. We sell this plate together with its original signed wood box and his profile.
TSUKAMOTO Kaiji (1912-1990), holder of important intangible cultural property, was fascinated of Ding ware of the Song dynasty, from which he drew inspiration to produce elegant, noble wares.
In 1983 he was honored by the Japanese State with the most important award "Living National Human Treasure".
Items of Kaiji are hold in the most famous museums and are sold at Christie's, Sotheby's and Bonhams. Please investigate.
bonhams.com/auctions/11615/lot/55/
christies.com/lotfinder/lot/tsukamoto-kaiji-porcelain-bowl-3883778-details.aspx?pos=7&intObjectID=3883778&sid=&page=12
Best condition.
Size: 8,8'' diameter x 1,6'' height.
Shipping included.
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