Greetings

The exhibition "Karatsu Today 2010: A Competition of Skills by Twelve Potters," featuring works by twelve mid-career and up-and-coming ceramic artists from Karatsu, will be held at the Kakiden Gallery. This exhibition is the first of its kind by popular local artists to showcase the current state of Karatsu ware, which is highly regarded among ceramic enthusiasts.

Karatsu ware is said to be one of the three most beloved tea bowls by tea masters since ancient times, and its greatest appeal lies in its unpretentious generosity and the texture of the clay. It is truly born from the clay and climate of Karatsu, and its form is made specifically for enjoying a cup of tea. There is a wide variety of types, including Okukorai, E-Karatsu, Chosen-Karatsu, Hori-Karatsu, Madara-Karatsu, Kuro-Karatsu, Seto-Karatsu, Hakeme-Karatsu, and Mishima-Karatsu. The twelve artists exhibiting in this exhibition are pursuing the charm of these ancient Karatsu wares with their own sensibilities, and challenging themselves to create a modern Karatsu that is different from the classical style.

Sakurei Okamoto is a popular artist known for his Kuro-Kōrai style. He seriously engages with the clay material he uses and challenges himself to create contemporary Karatsu ware unlike anything seen before.

Yasumoto Kajiwara , being an artist with a design background, possesses captivating forms in his works. Drawing on his experience in recreating ancient Karatsu ware, he is exploring his own unique interpretation of Karatsu pottery.

Kiyomi Kawakami is a ceramic artist from Tsushima. While primarily creating reproductions of heirloom pieces, she produces delicate and uniquely individual vessels that capture the essence of Karatsu ware.

Sajirou Tanaka 's bold Karatsu ware is a reflection of his own charm. He has even built a kiln in Korea to explore the roots of Karatsu ware, and his works, fired in both countries, are unique and reflect his life.

The tea bowls made by Mr. Jinenbou Nakagawa possess a dignified elegance. I feel that their charm has recently deepened considerably.

Taki Nakazato learned from his father, Takashi, by throwing 500 plates a day. His works, based on a solid foundation, reflect his warm personality.

Tarouemon Nakazato XIV, though born into a prestigious Karatsu pottery family, actually has a great fondness for Cizhou ware. Today, Cizhou ware has become one of the expressions of Karatsu ware, giving rise to a new style of Karatsu pottery.

Setsuo Hamazaki is a sculptor with a free-thinking approach that is not bound by conventional ideas. His ceramic figurines exude a mysterious atmosphere.

Hiroyoshi Hamamoto is fascinated by Madara Karatsu ware and is committed to using authentic clay, glaze, and firing techniques (split-bamboo style multi-chamber climbing kiln) to express its beauty.

Dohei Fujinoki 's works exude an unpretentious gentleness. His piece "Toy Box" was born from this playful spirit of his, and its charm lies not only in its form but also in its firing process.

Munehiko Maruta is an artist renowned for his painted Karatsu ware. His generous style blends well with the characteristics of old Karatsu ware, making him very popular among pottery enthusiasts.

Yasuyoshi Yoshino is a ceramic artist who works in Takase Hazenotani, Minamihata-cho, Imari City. He is single-mindedly challenging himself with a new material called "sandstone" in order to approach the texture of old Karatsu ware.

Therefore, we would be delighted if you would take this opportunity to view the current state of Karatsu ware by twelve ceramic artists.

Senior Researcher, Japan Ceramic Society
Kouichi Mori