Awards. We all love them, whether they are for movies, music, or for sports personalities. The art world here in Japan is no different, and there are many awards to honor those who have excelled in their respective art forms.
The world of ceramic art boasts quite a few honors. One of them is the Japan Ceramic Society Prize, first handed out in 1954. Each January a broad overview of work by some of the past winners is displayed at Wako, Ginza, and this year's exhibition, the 44th, runs till Feb. 5.
The theme of this year's display is kazaru, "to decorate." It will feature some 130 works, all for sale, by 48 ceramic artists. These potters are from across Japan and include 10 living national treasures. The styles on show are no less diverse, ranging from the colorful porcelains of Kakiemon Sakaida to the lowdown, gutsy Bizen of Shuroku Harada.