A message for Ken Matsuzaki - A New Beginning in Later Life - Exhibition

Ken Matsuzaki , a leading ceramic artist from Mashiko, turned 70 last year and says he wants to "return to his roots."

This is not the "beginner's mindset of right and wrong" that one had when they first started pottery, but rather the "beginner's mindset of old age" (as Zeami put it) that comes after gaining various experiences.

In terms of the "Shu-Ha-Ri" principle, "Shu" represents his apprenticeship under Tatsuzo Shimaoka; "Ha" represents his independence and his pursuit of the Oribe style, inspired by the innovative ideas of Furuta Oribe, from his thirties onward; and "Ri" represents his current state, where he uses 4,000 bundles of firewood and 40 sacks of charcoal to fire his kiln for eight days straight, seeking the boundless creativity inherent in raw clay.

Two years ago, Matsuzaki collaborated with Taizou Kuroda , also a student of Shimaoka, to hold the "Resonance Taizou Kuroda・Ken Matsuzaki " exhibition at the Mashiko Ceramic Art Museum.

What these two have in common is their commitment to originality.

Kuroda pursued his own unique style of white porcelain, finishing it by polishing it with sandpaper after firing without applying glaze, while Matsuzaki challenged himself to create ceramic stones that transform the energy of the earth into form and express the power of nature.

What the two learned from Shimaoka was his approach to pottery, his attitude towards creating things, and the importance of philosophy in life.

This exhibition will feature 110 recent works, including 10 black and black pieces previously exhibited at the Mashiko Ceramic Art Museum, showcasing further refinements in the artistry.

Matsuzaki seems to have reached a state of "detachment," and is now enjoying the freedom of his mind.

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

Deepening Ceramic Stone

Two years ago, the Mashiko Ceramic Art Museum held a small exhibition titled "Resonance Taizou Kuroda・Ken Matsuzaki ".

In the early 1970s, this exhibition featured two artists who shared the same time at the Shimaoka Kiln in Mashiko, and it was there that Ken Matsuzaki presented his series of ceramic stone sculptures, which he had begun to work on intensively at the time.

In recent years, Matsuzaki's style has become established as one that, while rooted in the local culture of Mashiko, pursues the dynamism of kiln-fired variations based on Oribe and Shino ware.

While consistently valuing the firing process, they refused to rest on their laurels and, in the process of seeking their own unique form, gave birth to the ceramic block stone.

The works, which were formed by hollowing out the clay and then fired repeatedly, reflected Matsuzaki's deepening awareness of the nature of clay as an accumulation of minerals.

At the same time, the world in which the fundamental image of earth is expressed in tea bowls and flower vases strongly reflects the artist's curiosity about the infinite creativity inherent in raw clay, and presents a primal form that has only just awakened.

Time has passed since then, and this exhibition will present more refined ceramic stone sculptures.

The forms have become more refined, and the artist's intentions are now expressed clearly and subtly through the artwork.

The refined carving technique, taking full advantage of its characteristics, creates a substantial texture despite its thin construction.

Even more important is the firing process.

Matsuzaki is an artist who has always clearly understood the essence of his work as "firing first, clay second, and crafting third."

If a tea bowl is something that is created in the space between the tangible and the intangible, then that is probably where the charm of pottery that has guided Ken Matsuzaki to this day will most vividly emerge.

Yuko Kawakita (Curator, Mashiko Ceramic Art Museum)

I am delighted to announce that I will be holding the " Ken Matsuzaki 's Beginner's Exhibition in Later Life" at the Kakiden Gallery, focusing primarily on tea bowls.

In 2018, while I was staying in New Hampshire, USA for a workshop, I received a call on my cell phone in the middle of the night from Taizou Kuroda . He said, "I want to have an exhibition with Ken, so can you find a gallery somewhere?" As soon as I returned to Japan, I visited Mr. Kuroda's studio and decided to hold the exhibition in black and white.

He was suffering from an illness at the time and didn't have much time left.

Taizo said he wanted to create a collection of his works to document our time together, and I agreed, so we started preparing right away. We decided on the Mashiko Ceramic Art Museum as the venue, and Taizo was very happy that we could have an exhibition in Mashiko, a place full of memories for us.

In August 2019, the exhibition "Resonance Taizou Kuroda・Ken Matsuzaki " was held for four weeks at the Mashiko Ceramic Art Museum.

Taizou Kuroda scored ten points in white cylinders, and Ken Matsuzaki scored ten points in black.

These ten ceramic stone sculptures are commemorative works for me and for Taizo, and I had been looking for an opportunity to exhibit them someday. Thanks to the kindness of the shop owner, Takashi Yasuda, I am now able to exhibit them at this solo exhibition at Kakiden Gallery.

It will be displayed alongside a cylindrical object that Taizo entrusted to me for this event during his lifetime.

Ken Matsuzaki

In fact, this is the first time we have introduced a Mashiko ceramic artist to the public through a solo exhibition since our gallery moved to its current location in the spring of 2008, and we are very pleased to present this opportunity.

Ken Matsuzaki is a potter from Mashiko who is renowned not only in Japan but also around the world.

His unwavering dedication to the firing process makes him more than just a potter; he truly deserves to be called a man of pottery.

Sometimes I challenge myself with bold forms, and sometimes with quiet ones. The kiln firing process takes a long eight days, and the beautiful kiln-fired pieces, created in the raging flames, continue to captivate the hearts of pottery enthusiasts and myself alike.

Now, this exhibition features a total of over 120 works.

Broadly speaking, the exhibition can be divided into three main categories: ① valuable works from the joint exhibition "Resonance Taizou Kuroda・Ken Matsuzaki " (Mashiko Ceramic Art Museum) with Taizou Kuroda , who sadly passed away recently; ② a collection of tea ceremony ceramics such as tea bowls and flower vases that were specially fired for this exhibition; and ③ everyday sake vessels.

In addition, this exhibition will also feature rough and unique plates by his older brother, wood and lacquer artist Toru Matsuzaki, adding a special touch to the solo exhibition.

I think it's wonderful that the Matsuzaki brothers get along so well.

In closing, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Kouichi Mori , Ms. Yuko Kawakita of the Mashiko Ceramic Art Museum, and Ken Matsuzaki family, who have a deep love for Mashiko, for taking the time out of their busy schedules to contribute such wonderful writings for this exhibition.

I apologize for sending this at such a time of intense late summer heat, but I hope you will take the time to read it.

Takashi Yasuda (Owner of Kakiden Gallery)