|
Kyoto has always been a city of avant-garde artists dating back to the Edo period. In the 1940s a revolutionary ceramic group called Sodeisha changed the ceramic landscape of Japan forever. One of its earliest members was Kumakura Junkichi(1920-1985). Kumakura was one of Kyoto's most popular ceramic 'sculptors' and his work is in the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto as well as the Shigaraki Ceramic Park Museum and Suntory Museum. In 1989 a major retrospective exhibition was held at the Crafts Gallery, National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. Kumakura was also voted one of the most influential potters of the 20th century by a group of leading ceramic art critics; Honoho Geijutsu, issue 65. That list can be viewed at e-yakimono.net. Kumakura had his first exhibition in 1951 at the Form Gallery in Ginza. He was awarded the first Japan Ceramic Society Prize in 1955, and many in ceramic circles have highly praised Kumakura's work as "distinctive and truly memorable." This hachi (plate/bowl) immediately grabs one's attention due to its captivating blue glaze. Michi-ai literally means "beautiful butterfly of indigo." It is a particular glaze that Kumakura developed and commonly used in his later work, from the late 70's to early 80's before his death. Please notice how the blue glaze cascades down the rim of the bowl into the well. The crinkled base clay is Shigaraki (a clay that many Kyoto potters use). A small wonderful dish from an influential Kyoto potter. 5.7cm tall, 19-19.5cm wide. Comes with a signed box and is in perfect condition. Please note the actual blue may be darker in person depending on your monitor.
|
