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April 30, 2024
 

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CERAMIC SCENE

Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
May 12, 2004
The Emperor's phantom porcelain set
Rarely, if ever, has a dinner set taken on such a mysterious aura as the maboroshi (phantom) porcelain service made by the late Yoshimichi Fujimoto (1919-92). Used only once and then, for reasons that remain enigmatic, hidden away for years, it comprises 230 pieces, enough to serve 15 diners. Only two, though, have ever used the set -- the Showa Emperor and Empress, who dined off it in 1976. The dinner service was then sentenced to a dark and fabled existence . . . until now.
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Apr 14, 2004
Pots that fired the passion of a magnate
Centuries ago, during a brief span of 30-40 years, one of the classic styles of Japanese pottery was born. From the end of the Momoyama Period into the early Edo Period (late 16th-early 17th centuries) nearly 300 kilns were producing wares the world knows as Karatsu-yaki.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Mar 10, 2004
Hold your breath and turn the wheel
Kyoto. The name conjures up images of courtly nobles and stoic Zen temples -- and yet so much more of Japan's cultural identity was born in that ancient city. In the world of ceramics, one of its glorious contributions has been Kyo-yaki, or Kyoto pottery.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Feb 11, 2004
You are always on my mind
Familiarity with an object or place can dampen the senses. It may not necessarily breed contempt, but it often leads to indifference. We see it all too frequently, as in the simple case of not visiting wonderful places in our own neighborhood, or the attitude folk here in Shizuoka have toward Mount Fuji: "Oh, that mountain." It takes a penetrating and intuitive mind to not merely look at such things each day, but to actually see, to understand, in one's heart, the value of even an unassuming item and the "nourishment" it gives.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Jan 14, 2004
New year musing of a 'pottery poet'
As this is the first Ceramic Scene of 2004, I'd like to wish all readers a Happy and Healthy New Year!
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Dec 10, 2003
Desperately seeking Kyusetsu
In the world of tea, certain inherited potters' names stand out as shining stars and their works are seen almost as brand-name goods. Just as shoppers hanker for a Gucci bag, a tea devotee covets certain chawan (tea bowls), say, from the Kaneshige kiln in Bizen. Possessing one of these is a status symbol, seeming to confer instant credibility on its owner as one who "understands" tea.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Nov 26, 2003
Pottery to get on a plane for
Two unprecedented Japanese ceramic exhibitions now taking place far from Japan's shores show just how influential are the artistic ripples from this grand potting paradise. Distanced by centuries, but just a dozen New York City blocks, are two of the greatest Japanese definers of clay: eclectic Furuta Oribe (1543/4-1615) is uptown, while earthy Isamu Noguchi (1904-88) is in a snug venue downtown.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Oct 8, 2003
Soaring on the clay wings of inspiration
The mind and soul of a genius often seeks solace in cold, lonely places. In the intense stillness he works deep into the night like one possessed of a vision he knows will burn out with the coming rays of dawn.
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Sep 17, 2003
Hand-made objects have a soul of their own
I've often been asked about my beginnings with Japanese pottery and how I got so deeply interested in the subject. Mostly, it was a philosophical and intuitive introduction that just struck a chord within me, as well as topics associated with Zen and the present. As with most inspiring art, words often interfere, and logic usually fails to help one "get it." In order to give you an insight into how I see it, I'd like to share some excerpts from my book "Yakimono Sanka (Ode to Pottery, Sake Cups and Flasks)" [1995, Kogei Shuppan], which is only available in Japanese as of this writing. I hope to have it out in English next year.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Aug 13, 2003
The pot is mightier than the sword
As brutal as they may have been, many feudal Japanese warlords were passionate about the Way of Tea. In the midst of battle they would pause for a "tea break," appreciating the fleeting moment and simple joys of tea -- with bits of strategy tossed in.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Jul 9, 2003
Goro Suzuki: Honored to live in his time
Wrapped in flickering candlelight, koto master Tamiko Asai spoke to the audience in a hushed voice:
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Jun 11, 2003
Why perfection isn't enough
Light, cool, sleek and refined describe the large celadon bowl that won 1 million yen and the Grand Prix Katsura-no-Miya Prize at the 17th Biennial Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. This juried exhibition showcases some of the finest works in this "pottery oasis" of Japan and offers a tasty smorgasbord for any yakimono enthusiast. The exhibition has finished showing in Tokyo but will make a short stop in Osaka at the Daimaru Museum, Shinsaibashi, June 12-17.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
May 14, 2003
A 'smashing' place for pots
It was 20 years ago today . . . that the famous Kikuchi Collection of Modern Japanese Ceramics was shown to "smashing" reviews at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. The 300-piece collection sparked a great interest in modern and contemporary Japanese ceramics that has continued to this day. The exhibition was a milestone for 20th-century Japanese ceramic art.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Apr 9, 2003
Sun, sea, sand and . . . ceramics
The Izu Peninsula, just an hour out of Tokyo, has some of the finest scenery in all of Japan. Rugged coastlines, clear views of Mount Fuji, pristine forests with rivers and waterfalls, not to mention the many soothing hot-spring resorts dotting the land, shape Izu into a very attractive destination.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Mar 12, 2003
The good, the great -- and the freaky
Japan, without a doubt, has the world's largest number of art museums devoted solely to pottery -- more than 500 venues, I've heard. That's a lot of beauty (or not) to take in.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Feb 12, 2003
Mountain man who walked the path of art
"Born alone, will die alone; come alone, will be gone alone; study alone, walk alone": This is said to have been the mantra of one of Japan's greatest 20th-century artists, the boisterous, arrogant and brilliant Rosanjin Kitaoji (1883-1959).
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Jan 8, 2003
Redeemers with feet of clay
Of the 14 ceramic objects designated as national treasures in Japan, the fact that no fewer than eight are chawan (tea bowls) is a clear sign of their importance in the culture.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Dec 11, 2002
In search of the real artist-potter Ogata Kenzan
"Sensational art finds are both desired and feared: desired because they become a form of pleasure and capital; feared because they displace something or somebody. Japan has had its share of such moments."
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Nov 13, 2002
Look again at potting traditions
In the world of Japanese ceramics, certain styles have clearly defined identities that have been appreciated down the centuries. Mere mention of Bizen pottery will likely bring to mind a rustic, brown, natural ash-glazed style.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Art / CERAMIC SCENE
Oct 9, 2002
Pottery worth giving it all up for
Say the word "Momoyama" to any Japanese pottery connoisseurs, and their eyes will inevitably light up. Most ceramic enthusiasts would give up any Saturday-night vice to own just one Momoyama Shino, Bizen or Karatsu guinomi (sake cup) or chawan (tea bowl).
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Yen rebounds strongly after first slide past ¥160 since 1990
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JAL cancels international flight after captain gets drunk at Dallas hotel
A Japan Airlines' flight from Dallas to Tokyo was canceled last week after its captain got drunk at a local hotel.
Climate change, chalky grains and the risks for Japan’s rice farmers
A farmer plants seedlings in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima Prefecture. Japan’s self sufficiency rate for rice is nearly 100%, compared with 38% for food overall, on a calorie basis.
Japan wants you to spend more with ‘luxury tourism’
Performers play a traditional drum unique to Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the prefectural capital of Kanazawa on March 16 to mark the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line to Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture.
Theaster Gates’ ambitious ‘Afro-Mingei’ brings Black Chicago to Tokyo
Theaster Gates' “A Heavenly Chord” lines up church pews before seven speakers and a Hammond B3 organ, a type of electric organ prevalent in Black American churches.
Casa del Cibo: A thriving jewel born from Tohoku’s harsh past
When chef Ryohei Ikemi moved to Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, and opened Casa del Cibo in 2011, it was the first proper Italian restaurant in the city.
Town to block view of Mount Fuji in response to overtourism
The town government of Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to set up a 2.5-meter-high screen to prevent tourists from taking pictures of Mount Fuji looming behind a convenience store.

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