A famous antique dealer once said, "First-class tea ceramics are also first-class decorative ceramics," which likely means that well-crafted, top-quality tea ceramics can also be appreciated as decorative ceramics.

In the world of the tea ceremony, the inherent charm of the materials themselves, such as the texture of the clay and the firing process, is also an object of appreciation, but this may not be understood in Western societies that are centered on aesthetic form.

The eight ceramic artists participating in this exhibition primarily focus on sculptural forms, but at the same time, they are striving to explore new possibilities for Bizen clay, the material they use.

The appeal of the material is added to the form, giving birth to a new style of Bizen ware.

This exhibition is proof of that.

Kazuya IshidaIn 2015, he was invited to Oxford University as a visiting professor, where he participated in an artist residency that included everything from kiln construction and artwork creation to lectures.

Apparently, this is the first time a Japanese ceramic artist has done so.

This "Hidasukiraho Tea Bowl" is made by wrapping Bizen levitated clay with straw, loading it into the kiln, and firing it in a reduction atmosphere in a scabbard.

Then, instead of crimson, a white scarlet pattern appears on the bluish-gray base.

The spiral technique is Ishida's original method of creating a "twist" in pottery by utilizing the centrifugal force of the potter's wheel.

Kouichirou IsezakiHe is a highly acclaimed ceramic artist who received the Japan Ceramic Society Award for 2022.

This "black carved water container" has the shape of a gear with five protrusions when viewed from directly above.

The powerful sense of atmosphere created by its bold carving is the sculptural power of this water container.

Furthermore, the moist, black Bizen surface is sprinkled with reddish-brown speckles, creating a unique charm unlike any other Bizen ware before.

The powerful sculptural skill is fused with the texture of black Bizen ware, creating a new style of Bizen ware unlike anything seen in the old Bizen period.

Masahiko KondouThis Bizen tea bowl is a gently shaped tea bowl fired using clay that has a slightly larger amount of mountain soil added to it.

Ash has fallen around the base of the tea bowl, and a faint reddish hue has appeared on the bowl, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

It appears the bowl was lying on its side in the kiln, as a large "glaze pool" is visible on the inside side. When you prepare and drink tea from this bowl, an image comes to mind of swallowing the "glaze pool" of the setting sun sinking into the sea.

Considering that, it might be a tea bowl with a bold and impressive character.

Souhei TakashimaHe is from Kushiro City, Hokkaido.

After graduating from the Department of Design at Dohto University, he studied under Jun Isezaki of Bizen, and in 2022, he received the Japan Ceramic Society's Contemporary Ceramics Encouragement Award.

We are working tirelessly day and night to bring out a new facet of Bizen clay.

This particular Bizen tea bowl is made from a blend of paddy field clay and mountain clay, fired four times in a wood-fired kiln.

This process is said to bring out a sense of weight and substance. The white grains mixed in with the hardened black surface become glazed through repeated firing, creating a bluish glaze flow.

Takuma TakigawaHe is a ceramic artist who studied under Mitsuru Shimamura, a leading figure in Bizen ware craftsmanship.

Normally, I create a prototype using clay, then make a plaster cast of the shape, and then use that as the basis for my final work.

The incense box exhibited in this exhibition is inspired by Sen no Rikyu, the great master of the tea ceremony.

In addition, I hear that this exhibition will feature figurines such as lions and guardian dogs, but Takigawa's works, which he says "want to create riddles where you interpret the pictures to find the answer," are witty and interesting.

Takigawa's popular works include the "beckoning lion," a variation of the beckoning cat.

Hiroshi ToyofukuWhen viewed from directly above, the "Natural Clay Water Jar" appears to be made up of three L-shaped clay plates joined together, forming a complex shape.

Its distinctive feature is that its form appears to change depending on the viewing angle.

The clay used is raw, unprocessed soil, and by finishing it through rope making and scraping, layers with high iron content, fine texture, and sandy areas become marbled, creating a texture that preserves the original feel of the raw clay before refinement.

This is a masterpiece that pays meticulous attention not only to its form but also to the texture of the clay.

Yuusaku MatsumotoThey are committed to creating a unique style of Bizen ware, firing it using only pine firewood without glaze, and expressing the natural beauty of the clay.

His themes revolve around the simple, soft texture of the earth, the rich and varied natural color tones, and the ethereal beauty derived from fire.

This Bizen water container is a cylindrical water container with a rounded shape from the rim to the shoulder, and is finished in a simple form.

Its simple form, combined with the flame-like crimson color rising from the rim and base, creates an appearance reminiscent of a modern abstract painting.

Ichirou MoriHe is a ceramic artist who inherits the Mori family lineage, which is part of the Terami family, one of the six prominent families of Bizen ware potters.

"I'm interested in how we can awaken the memories that the soil holds and imbue them with light," he says.

The Bizen triangular water container has a magnificent form, making it difficult to decide which brazier and kettle to pair with it. On the other hand, it also makes one want to think about a new tea ceremony space that would bring this water container to life.

The unique form, the charring, and the crimson color create a powerful memory of the clay that is captivating.

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