The first "Karatsu Ware Today 2010" was held in March 2010.12It has already been fourteen years since we held the Karatsu ware exhibition at Kakiden Gallery, titled "A Competition of Skills by Ceramic Artists."

This group exhibition started with inviting mid-career and up-and-coming artists, and throughout that time, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr. Takashi Yasuda, the owner of Kakiden Gallery, who has consistently taken care of us, to all the fans who love Karatsu ware and came to the exhibition, and to all the artists who have supported and cooperated with my vision each time.

Thanks to everyone's great support, the 8th Karatsu Pottery Festival was held.11We were able to hold the "People Exhibition -As It Is-".

The tea ceremony to be held on Tuesday, February 27th is a memorial tea ceremony for Keiko Yoshino of Hazenotani Kiln, who passed away in May of last year.

Mr. Kazushi Ohara, the husband of the host, will be in charge of the event, so we would be grateful if you could join us.

The subtitle is "As It Is."

Having observed Karatsu ware for many years, I feel that each piece expresses the artist's "feelings towards Karatsu."

In other words, there are no rules about how Karatsu "should be."

The freedom is what makes Karatsu so appealing.

This exhibition expresses the artists' feelings towards Karatsu in their most authentic way.

Please enjoy the captivating tea ceremony pottery and sake vessels created by eleven Karatsu ware artists.

Sakurei OkamotoMr. [Name]'s "Black Oribe Karatsu Enso Tea Bowl, inscribed 'Twin Dragons'" is an ambitious work in which he attempts to create Mino's Black Oribe style using Karatsu clay.

The circular shape on the front of the tea bowl likely represents twin dragons.

This tea bowl is themed after this year's zodiac animal, and its slight distortion is exquisite.

This work showcases the author's unique and uninhibited creativity.

Kiyomi KawakamiMr. [Name]'s "Dragon Scale Shoes Tea Bowl" is made using the artist's original technique, which is an evolution of the Snake and Scorpion Karatsu ware, where a thick layer of feldspar glaze is applied to the surface and fired to create a scale-like wrinkle.

This tea bowl has a bold, masculine feel, with striking crackle glazes both inside and out, revealing glimpses of the reddish clay surface in some of the crackle patterns.

Masahiro TakehanaMr. [Name]'s "Madara Karatsu Teapot" is a teapot with a rear handle used when using gyokuro tea in the sencha tea ceremony. It is a plump teapot with a cute gun-shaped spout and rounded ball-shaped handle.

The entire piece is covered in a soft, milky white mottled glaze, giving it a simple and unpretentious feel. It evokes the gentle nature of the artist.

Sajirou TanakaMr. [Name]'s "Madara Karatsu Guinomi" (sake cup) is not made using the unique techniques known as Sajiro Karatsu, such as "Seishō," "Shuun," and "Kōgen." At first glance, it looks like ordinary Madara Karatsu, but it has a style that can only be born from an artist who has achieved freedom of mind.

The way the white straw ash glaze and red clay are presented is exquisite.

Taki NakazatoMr. [Name]'s "E-Karatsu Mizusashi" is a water container with a rounded, elegant shape. The surface of its body is decorated with simple floral patterns, while the reverse side is decorated with interlocking ring patterns using iron pigment.

Among tea ceremony ceramics, their tableware for kaiseki (traditional multi-course Japanese meal) is particularly highly regarded and has many fans.

These are pieces that reflect the artist's personality and are a pleasure to use.

14th Tarouemon NakazatoMr. [Name]'s Karatsu hand-molded sake cup has a soft finish, with a thin layer of transparent glaze applied to the red clay.

The rim features a mountain path design, and plum blossom-like patterns are visible around it and on the inside and outside of the elevated area, creating a deep and rich flavor.

This is a masterpiece that only a contemporary craftsman who loves sake vessels could create.

Dohei FujinokiMr. [Name]'s "Benzaiten" plaque is part of the "Seven Lucky Gods" series that he is currently creating, and is said to be one of the origins of the Seven Lucky Gods, along with Daikoku and Ebisu.

In addition to possessing characteristics of a god of music, good fortune, and arts and sciences, he also has characteristics of a god of victory in war, but he is more widely worshipped as a god of good fortune and wealth.

Rui MitohMr. [Name]'s "Blue Spotted Karatsu Tea Bowl" is an original work devised by combining the techniques of blue Karatsu and spotted Karatsu.

Last year, I received the Special Jury Prize at the "Japan Ceramic Society Contemporary Ceramics Encouragement Award Kyushu/Okinawa Exhibition."

The reason given was that "the base is really well made," but it's rare for a base to be praised.

Raizan YasunagaMr. [Name]'s "E-Karatsu Tokkuri" is a simple sake bottle accented with abstract patterns, and it is a sake bottle with a unique firing finish, formed using sandstone.

On the other hand, the "Yamase Madara Guinomi" is a work that returns to the basics of Karatsu ware.

Unlike the Kishidake style, which also uses a mottled glaze, Yamase's glaze has a unique flow and bluish tint that is very appealing.

Naoto YanoMr. [Name]'s "Painted Brushstroke Spouted Bowl" is a painted brushstroke spouted bowl in the style of Gyeryongsan Mountain.

This piece is refreshing, with its powerful, upright gun barrel and light, airy patterns painted with iron glaze on a white feldspar glaze.

On the other hand, the "Whale Skin Guinomi" is a sake cup made from whale skin with a slightly flared rim and a black glaze applied to the inside of the rim.

Keiko YoshinoMr. [Name]'s "Madara Karatsu Furidashi" is a beautiful teapot with a milky white straw ash glaze covering the entire surface, through which a light blue glaze flows.

This is the last work of Keiko Yoshino of Hazenotani Kiln, who passed away last May.

I had a relationship with him that spanned two generations of his family, and I am deeply saddened by his passing.

Hands clasped in prayer

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