Shoji Kamoda : Vase

Shoji Kamoda : Stoneware Jar

After ten years of working in Mashiko, Tochigi, Mr. Shoji Kamoda set up a new studio in Tono, Iwate, in 1969 and began working there.

This piece is a vase that was made in Mashiko just before he moved to Tono.
During the construction of the new studio, he brought back local clay from Tono and formed and fired it by hand at his studio in Mashiko.

Stoneware is a word that means "pottery with a tempered finish," and Mr. Kamoda liked to use this word in his works during this period at the end of the 1960s.
The surface of the vessel, made of coarse Tono clay containing many small and large grains of sand and fired without glaze, is beautiful and neat.

There is a carved signature on the base.

 


 

Kamoda Shoji : Tea bowl

 

Shoji Kamoda : 1976, Tea Bowl

The total number of posthumous works of Mr. Shoji Kamoda, who died prematurely, is quite limited compared to other potters, and when it comes to the work of tea bowl, it becomes a rare item.
This work was produced in 1976, and is wheel thrown on white clay, with black and dark blue colored glaze applied with a brush.
The abstract design resembling a bird's decorative feathers is painted on two sides, and the white outline of the border, which skillfully utilizes the leftover glaze, is impressive.
The edge of the mouth is sharp and pronounced, and the work has a sense of tension with its clear colors.
There is an engraved signature on the base.

 


 

Rosanjin Kitaoji: plate, Bizen type

Rosanjin Kitaoji 北大路 魯山人
1883 Born in Shimogamo Kitaoji, Kyoto.

1907 Began his career as a calligrapher in Tokyo.

1916 Wandered around Korea, China, Shiga, Fukui, and Kanazawa. Returned to Kyoto.
1919 Opened his antique shop in Tokyo.

1921 Began 'Bishoku club' (Gourmet's club) which serves his food with his collections.
1925 Began 'Hoshigaoka Saryo'. (Members-only restaurant)

1928 Built 'Hoshigaoka kiln' in Kamakura for producing dishes used in the restaurant.
His reputation rose as his works exhibited in department stores and the restaurant.

1935 Started focusing on producing ceramics.
1936 Left the management of the restaurant. 
1937 The first exhibition of his new works held at Ginza Kuroda Touen.

1939 The Hoshigaoka kiln was blisk holding about 50 staff around this year. 

1942 Evacuation in Ishikawa prefecture. Produced lacquer ware there.

1954 Held a solo exhibition in New York, invited by Rockefeller Foundation.
Visited U.S. and Europe. 

1955 Declined certification of a living national treasure.

1956 Actively held exhibitions in Tokyo, Kyoto and Nagoya.

1959 Passed away at the age of 77.