Monthly Archives: March 2015

Yaichi Kusube: Sake cup, Iroe type, Bamboo design

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Yaichi Kusube　楠部 彌弌

1897 Born in Higashiyama, Kyoto prefecture.
1912 Entered Kyoto Ceramic Experimental Station Attached Training Center.
1918 Began ceramics in Sanjo, Kyoto.
1920 Organized a group of ceramists, ‘Aka tsuchi sha’.
1924 Awarded at the Paris Universal Exposition.
1927 Awarded his first prize at Teiten.
1937 Completed ‘Saien’ technique.
1938 Moved to Okazaki, Kyoto prefecture.
1962 Became a member of the Japan Art Academy.
1965 Moved to Yamashina, Kyoto.
1972 Designated as a person of cultural merits by Kyoto city.
1978 Received the Order of Cultural Merit.
1984 Passed away at the age of 87.

Jusetsu Miwa Sake cup, Hagi ware

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Jusetsu Miwa

1910 Born in Hagi, Yamaguchi prefecture.
1927 Began ceramics as family business.
1960 Certified as a regular member of Nihon Kogeikai (the Japan Art Crafts Association)
1967 Succeeded to the name of Kyusetsu Miwa.
1972 Designated as intangible cultural property by Yamaguchi Prefecture.
1976 Received Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.
1982 received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.
1983 Designated as a Living National Treasure
2003 Handed the reigns of the family over to the first son, Ryusaku.
         Named himself as Jusetsu.
2012 Passed away at the age of 102.

Kanjiro Kawai: Jar, Celadon-Zenketsumon type [Shokei kiln]

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Kanjiro Kawai　河井 寛次郎

1890 Born in Aki city, Shimane prefecture.
1914 Completed ceramic industrial course at current Tokyo Institute if technology.
　　    Worked at Kyoto research institute for ceramics.
1920 Began ceramics at Gojozaka in Kyoto.
          Named his studio as 'Shokeiyo' (Shokei kiln)
          Produced pieces which got ideas from Chinese wares.
1922 Gained a great reputation after a solo exhibition in Tokyo.  
1924 Influenced by slipwares.  
1926 Involved with Mingei movement with Soetsu Yanagi and Shoji Hamada.
          Produced pieces of simple form with unique design. 
1937 Won a Grand prix at the Paris Universal Exposition. 
1949 More crative pieces were produced afterwards. 
1966 Passed away at the age of 76.

Mineo Okabe Sake cup, Yohen Beishokuji type

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Mineo's Yohen Beishokuji was firstly completed in 1970. His enthusiastic study in glaze had been continued until he had a sudden occurence of a disease in 1978. The form had been rifined by adopting Chinese style from Southern Song Dynasty.  
This piece was made in 1977, which is his most matured year of Yohen Beishokuji. Its profound tone of the color is promoted by the reformed Tenmoku shape. You would feel being drawn into the cup. 
This piece is with the box signed by his wife, Tatsuko. Mineo asked her to write sign on his behalf after 1978 as he could not handle a brush any more since then.

Okabe Mineo
1919 Born in Seto, Aichi prefecture.
1937 Graduated from Seto Ceramic High School.
1938 Entered into Tokyo University of Science. 
1940 Dropped out from the university. Entered into the army of inner Mongolia. 
1947 Demobilization from the army. Settled in Hiradobashi, Aichi. (current Toyota city)
1949 Independently began ceramics in Hiradobashi. Married to Tatsuko.
1955 Received the award of the Japanese Ceramics Society at the first time.
1963 Started focusing on researching celadon. Moved to Nisshin, Aichi.
1965 Succeeded in producing 'Funseiji' (粉青瓷) Powdery Celadon.　Received Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.
1969 Dedication of a set of Celadon vases to Umenoma room of Imperial Household Agency
1970 Succeeded in producing Yohen Beishokuji. (窯変米色瓷)
1978 Hospitalization by cerebral hemorrhage. Changed his sir name from Kato to Okabe.
1989 Exhibition of new works from recovery at Matsuzakaya department store in Nagoya.
1990 Passed away at the age of 70. 
2011 Retrospective exhibition [Destiny] at Ginza Kuroda Touen.

Mineo Okabe Vase, Funseiji type

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Mineo Okabe
1919 Born in Seto, Aichi prefecture.
1937 Graduated from Seto Ceramic High School.
1938 Entered into Tokyo University of Science.
1940 Dropped out from the university. Entered into the army of inner Mongolia.
1947 Demobilization from the army. Settled in Hiradobashi, Aichi. (current Toyota city)
1949 Independently began ceramics in Hiradobashi. Married to Tatsuko.
1955 Received the award of the Japanese Ceramics Society at the first time.
1963 Started focusing on researching celadon. Moved to Nisshin, Aichi.
1965 Succeeded in producing 'Funseiji' (粉青瓷) Powdery Celadon.　Received Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.
1969 Dedication of a set of Celadon vases to Umenoma room of Imperial Household Agency
1970 Succeeded in producing Yohen Beishokuji. (窯変米色瓷)
1978 Hospitalization by cerebral hemorrhage. Changed his sir name from Kato to Okabe.
1989 Exhibition of new works from recovery at Matsuzakaya department store in Nagoya.
1990 Passed away at the age of 70.
2011 Retrospective exhibition [Destiny] at Ginza Kuroda Touen.