The haiku poet Kato Shuson wrote an essay titled "Shigaraki Under the Moonlight."

The text describes the appearance of a large Shigaraki vase bathed in the bright moonlight, stating, "It does not lean on anything, does not pander to anything, and sits there in a completely natural way."

This way of being attuned to nature is the ideal way of life that Mr. Kato has sought for a long time.

They say that pottery reflects the person who creates it, but I think we're entering an era where the artist's way of life, beyond just technique and expression, is being put to the test.

 

In my definition, Shigaraki ware refers to pottery that embodies the local characteristics and culture of Shigaraki.

When the clay of Shigaraki (nature) and the artist's sensibility (nature) resonate with each other and form a single entity<信楽のかたち>This is what is born.

The 1st Shinraku - Ode to the Earth: Twelve Artists ExhibitionThe theme is "Tea Ceremony Ceramics".

There are many constraints when it comes to tea ceremony pottery, but if you get too caught up in those constraints, it will just become a mere tool.

Tea ceramics are not only vessels for the tea ceremony, but also sculptural objects that create the space associated with tea.

That's why dimensions are so important. The atmosphere of a tea room changes depending on its dimensions.

That atmosphere is what connects tea ceramics and contemporary art.

What's important is freedom of mind.

Not all twelve of them fit this definition, but I hope that each of them will inspire and challenge each other, resulting in an exhibition that could only be created through a group show.

Please enjoy the present-day Shigaraki.

 

Sumiko AokiHe is a young writer who moved from Nagoya.

I studied pottery under Ryouji Koie at university.

With his free-spirited style characterized by delicate line drawings, he won the Chozo Gold Prize at the Chozo Ceramics Exhibition in 2013.

The hanging flower vase, "Announcing the Warm Green," depicts the scene of spring as the weather warms up and the plants and trees begin to turn green.

 

Satoki OonishiHe is a local artist from Shigaraki.

I have exhibited at the Mashiko Pottery Exhibition and the Hagi Grand Prize Exhibition of Contemporary Pottery, and in 2008 I won the Grand Prize at the first Imadoki, Shigaraki, Kayariki Exhibition.

This "Shigaraki Katamigawari Mizusashi" is an oval-shaped water container, a style he excels at.

The grayish-green of the water container and the crimson of the lid create a striking contrast.

 

Sueo OkudaHe is also a local artist from Shigaraki.

They are exploring the gentleness and strength, the yin and yang, of Shigaraki ware.

Its form, born from the fertile land, is appealing for its characteristic Shigaraki clay and firing characteristics.

This "Shigaraki water container" is a type of water container known as an "onioke" (demon bucket), and it exhibits the distinctive surface and back surface, as well as the crimson and ash glaze characteristic of wood-fired kilns.

 

Shuusaku KanzakiHe is a young artist from Shigaraki, the local area.

Seeking the unique color of unglazed stoneware, I fired my pieces in a wood-fired kiln and received the Newcomer Encouragement Award at the 44th Kinki Exhibition of Traditional Japanese Crafts in 2015.

This Shigaraki tea bowl is a bowl that widens from the base to the rim, and against the pale reddish-brown body, a beautiful pool of green glaze can be seen inside.

 

Teppei KomakiHe is a writer from Ibaraki Prefecture.

We pursue unique sculptural expression using a semi-underground kiln that replicates the ancient Shigaraki kilns.

In 2011, I received the Newcomer Encouragement Award at the Kinki Exhibition of Traditional Japanese Crafts.

This unique Shigaraki tea bowl features a reddish-brown color and unburnt white areas, creating the beautiful scenery characteristic of Shigaraki ware.

 

Yoshihiro SakoHe is a writer from Nara.

I studied under ceramic artist Seimei Tsuji and decided to pursue pottery.

In 2018, I received the 3rd Japan Ceramic Society Encouragement Award for my "Carbonized, Hammered Wide-Mouthed Vase."

The "Shigaraki Tanuki Hand-Roasted" is a very charming tanuki (raccoon dog).

As it's a hand-roasted toaster used in tea ceremonies, it has a certain elegance about it.

 

Nozomu ShinoharaHe is a writer from Osaka.

Having studied under ceramic artist Nobuo Furuya, he pursues a unique style of expression based on the unglazed stoneware technique, where the clay and ash seem to intertwine and melt together.

The "Kiln-fired pottery" features a rich and varied landscape where crimson, ash glaze, and charring seem to intertwine and melt together.

 

Rakusai TakahashiHe is the fifth generation of the Rakusai family, a leading pottery family in Shigaraki.

Based on the style of old Shigaraki ware, I create simple and gentle pieces that make the most of the texture of Shigaraki clay and the firing process in a wood-fired kiln.

The "Treasure Ship Water Jar with the inscription 'Departure'" depicts a treasure ship carrying the Seven Lucky Gods, with Ebisu holding a fishing rod at the front.

This image represents the launch of this exhibition.

 

Tomoko TakamaHe is a young writer from Osaka.

Using a unique technique of layering many different colored porcelain clays and carving out patterns, the artist creates colorful works of art.

This is a decorative plate made of layered colored porcelain, part of the "Hanakotoba" series.

By making the underside of the plate a triangular pyramid, it becomes a self-standing decorative plate.

 

Kyuu TaniThis family runs a pottery workshop that has been in operation since the late Edo period.

In order to reconstruct the beauty of ancient Shigaraki pottery, they are challenging themselves with modern Shigaraki techniques using double-barreled and semi-underground kilns.

In 2014, the large vase was acquired by the Portland Art Museum (USA).

The Shigaraki stone basin, inscribed with the Higaki pattern, exudes a sculptural strength.

 

Aiko TsumoriHe is a ceramic artist from Shiga Prefecture.

She graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts. In 2003, she received the Newcomer Award at the Women's Ceramics Exhibition, in 2007 the Chozo Award Ceramics Biennale Encouragement Prize, and in 2015 the Kikuchi Biennale Excellence Award.

"Cheek Resting" is a cute doll artwork depicting a doll with its eyes closed and its cheek resting on its hand.

She is holding a flower in her left hand.

 

Kazuya FurutaniHe is the second son of ceramic artist Michio Furuya.

Drawing inspiration from ancient Shigaraki and Iga pottery, the artist is challenging themselves to create a unique unglazed stoneware style that evokes richly evocative kiln variations and powerful forms.

"Shigaraki tea bowls" are unique tea bowls that combine glass-like glaze, fire color, and form.

His work reflects his sincere approach to pottery making.

 

Kouichi Mori (Art critic, Standing Director of the Japan Ceramic Society)