Iwao Ikeda, a sculptor who works with bamboo and lacquer, says, "Wind is essential in art."

And, if we consider it broadly, isn't life something like a way of catching the 'wind' of each individual's way of living?

He says, "What is revealed in 'the wind' is a person's philosophy and their way of thinking."

I believe that the philosophy behind pottery resides within the materials themselves.

The Japanese philosophy is that the laws of the universe are inherent in the materials we use, and that we should create things without going against those laws of the universe.

It is said that wood planed by a master carpenter repels water.

The philosophy of Japanese temple carpenters, which is to bring out the life of the wood, is hidden within the technique of planing.

Michelangelo, the Italian sculptor, painter, and architect of the High Renaissance, said, "Every block of stone holds a sculpture within it. It is the sculptor's job to discover it."

Furthermore, the sculptor Isamu Noguchi said, "What is important is how sharply we can grasp and express the truth that arises from within, beyond consciousness and human intellect."

The reason the subtitle for the IVth exhibition was "Raising a Wind" is that it not only means "raising a wind in Tanba," but also embodies the meaning of each person "establishing their own artistic style."

Due to prior commitments, Mr. Ichiji Shimizu is unable to participate in this exhibition, so it will be a tea ceremony pottery exhibition featuring works by nine artists. Now, let me introduce the works of these nine artists.

The name "Kaki no Tsuta" (persimmon calyx) comes from the fact that the shape of the teacup when placed upside down resembles the calyx of a persimmon tree.

Shinsui IchinoHis "Tamba Persimmon Stem Tea Bowl" features a brown base with a thin, transparent glaze, creating a unique appearance.

When moistened, the surface of the bowl comes alive and shines, changing its appearance. That is one of the charms of the "Persimmon Calyx Tea Bowl."

Masahiko IchinoSince around 2005, he has aimed to create works that make the most of the unique characteristics of the soil from Tanba.

"Tanba Red Dobe" is a work born from those feelings of his.

This is a unique tea bowl made using Benten clay from Tanba Sasayama, and finished with a red slip glaze.

The black granules contained in the paddy soil give it a unique texture.

The word "vessel" means container or vessel, but it also seems to mean ship or vessel.

Masahiko ImanishiHis "vessel" is made of traditional Tamba unglazed stoneware, but its balloon-like, expanding form is what makes it so appealing.

The opening is narrowed to prevent air from leaking out, but the design creates a sense of tension, as if the air inside is filling the space.

Iyo OogamiShe is currently one of the most talked-about artists, creating "cute and spooky" dolls inspired by Japanese lucky charms and yokai (supernatural beings).

The work has evolved year after year and has received high praise.

This particular piece, "Dragon Confectionery Container," features a confectionery container on the dragon's back, but the vermilion flames painted on the dragon's body are particularly striking.

Masafumi OonishiHis "Tanba Ship Sake Bottle" is inspired by Tanba sake bottles from the Edo period, and as a ship-shaped sake bottle, it has a very stable form.

That's one of the charms of this work.

Another appealing aspect is the contrast between the lustrous reddish-brown clay surface, characteristic of Tamba ware, and the ash-covered, glazed surface, which displays numerous streaks of glaze.

Hai-kohiki refers to pottery made by applying a white slip (ash glaze) to a dark clay body.Katsumi KakoIn the case of his "Ash-glazed Tea Bowl," it seems to refer to a ash-covered powder-glazed ware.

After shaping by hand, vertical ridges are added to the outside, and bold finger marks are left to create a unique texture.

The white makeup is covered with ash, expressing Kako's unique aesthetic sense.

Takeshi ShimizuHis "Salt Kiln Water Jar" is particularly charming with its small handles attached to the sides.

These aren't artificial-looking ears; they're natural-looking ears that appear to have sprouted from the side of the water container.

By applying two types of cobalt blue glaze to the entire vessel, a darker glaze flows over the blue glaze, creating a unique and distinctive look that is characteristic of Mr. Shimizu's work.

In autumn, the sansho pepper berries burst open, revealing black seeds inside.

Nobuhito NakaokaHis "Carbonized Gold-Painted Incense Burner" is an incense burner shaped like a split sansho pepper.

According to the artist, the shape is meant to express the vitality of plants.

The contrast between the reddish-brown clay surface and the dark brown charring is interesting, and the charred lid of the incense burner is painted with gold.

Peter HamannHe has been studying the Yabuuchi school of tea ceremony for nearly 30 years.

She practices the tea ceremony in her daily life while dedicating herself to pottery making.

The "Celadon Water Jar with Playful Ajiro Pattern" is a celadon water jar with five faceted edges, and its body is carved with an ajiro (woven bamboo) pattern, making use of the empty space at the top and bottom.

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