I believe that Rakusai Takahashi's life as a potter is "in harmony with the nature of Shigaraki."

His own work speaks volumes about this more than anything else.

There's nothing forced or artificial about Rakusai's work, which is incredibly refreshing.

Her second daughter, Yoshiko, has inherited her way of life, and it has also influenced her husband, Mr. Tao.

It is a beautiful way of life, lived in harmony with the nature of Shigaraki.

The2In preparation for the "Rakusai Takahashi, Yoshiko Takahashi, and Akira Tao First Kiln Exhibition" to be held at Kakiden Gallery, they built a new kiln.

Because firing the large climbing kiln has become physically demanding as I've gotten older.

Rakusai-san next year69I'm 70 years old, and I'll be turning 70 the year after next.60This is the last challenge of this generation.

The new kiln has a number of rooms.5From the room3Because the room was downsized, the amount of pine firewood used also decreased.600From the bundle350Apparently, they were able to reduce the number of bundles.

While it's done with efficiency in mind, it also reflects Rakusai's way of life of not overextending himself.

The "Wide-Mouthed Large Vase" and "Squatting Bowl" by Rakusai, exhibited this time, beautifully express the characteristic fire color and surface of Shigaraki ware, and the ash glaze and glaze flow are particularly appealing.

It's not a reproduction of ancient Shigaraki ware, but rather a representation of modern classical art.

Furthermore, there is a legend that drinking tea from the "Left-Facing Horse Tea Bowl," which was fired to commemorate the first firing, will bring good health and prevent strokes, and the "Treasure Ship Water Pitcher" carrying the Seven Lucky Gods is truly an auspicious piece.

Looking at Yoshiko's rather small Shigaraki porcelain vase, one can feel a feminine gentleness and generosity.

Her previous work was appealing for its feminine delicacy, but when asked about the change, she said that her child was born and is now two years old.

The shape of the opening of the "Rinka Flower Vase" conveys the great love of a mother, while the ridged edges of the body, adorned with carved lines, suggest inner strength.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tao, who has become a father, created two works, "Rising" and "Standing Still," which are his first works fired in the kiln. Both are collections of prismatic shapes that evoke mineral crystals, but by incorporating the characteristic fire color and firing surface of Shigaraki ware, he has expressed not only the conventional form but also the physiology of the clay.

Other exhibits will include glazed works fired in the kiln at the Shiga Prefectural Ceramic Art Forest.

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