KOBE -- Traditional Japanese art aficionados in Kansai will have a rare chance to learn the finer points of both Bizen pottery and ukiyo-e woodblock prints through a double exhibit of John Wells' Bizen works and Peter Ujlaki's ukiyo-e collection at the Community House and Information Center (CHIC) on Rokko Island, April 23-24.
Bizen potter Wells will be on hand to discuss his work and 20 years living in one of Japan's best-known traditional ceramics centers, while print collector and dealer Ujlaki will also be available to talk about ukiyo-e and his own varied collection.
Wells came from the U.S. in 1981 to apprentice a full three years with Michiaki Kaneshige, eldest son of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige. The Kaneshiges are one of three families still producing Bizen today, out of the original six officially designated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598) -- a great lover of Bizen ware -- as Bizen producers.