"Transmission" and "tradition" are similar but distinct. "Transmission" is about passing on and preserving the valuable techniques created by our predecessors. In contrast, "tradition" is about inheriting the spirit of our predecessors and constantly creating what the times demand. "Fuyū Ryūkō" is a haiku philosophy that Matsuo Bashō attained during his journey on "Oku no Hosomichi," but I believe this phrase is a philosophy that applies to all arts. "Fuyū" refers to something that never changes, that is, the essence, while "Ryūkō" refers to something that changes with the times in search of novelty, that is, new creation. Based on this philosophy of Fuyū Ryūkō, nine leading contemporary Kutani ware artists have come together to present a unique world of colored porcelain ware, different from their individual solo exhibitions, at the Kakiden Gallery this autumn, showcasing the team spirit that transcends individuality.

While Kutani ware is generally associated with the "Kutani Five Colors"—red, green, yellow, dark blue, and purple—in the late Edo period, "Akae Saibyo" and "Akae Kinsai" emerged, centered around red.

Takeshi Fukushima is a leading figure in reviving the "Akae Saibyo" technique in modern times. He possesses remarkable skill in depicting everything from classical dragons, phoenixes, Chinese children, and landscapes to modern patterns combining geometric motifs and net-like designs, using shading and delicate lines.

Jun Takegoshi is a leading Kutani artist who has perfected the "colored porcelain" of modern Kutani by brilliantly fusing line drawings born from sketches of nature, the vibrant colors learned from Old Kutani, and modern forms created using the tatara method. The birds he depicts, even when still, are drawn with such intensity that they seem as if they could start moving at any moment.

Masahito Tajima is an artist who carries on the "colored glaze porcelain" technique of his mentor, the third-generation Yasokichi Tokuda. He applies glaze five times and fires five times in pursuit of a deep azure color. The resulting vibrant gradation (blue, yellow, and green) reflects his highly skilled craftsmanship.

Kazuo Nakata is a leading Kutani ware artist who created "Yūri Ginsai," a technique in which glaze is applied over silver leaf attached to porcelain, making its brilliance eternal. The greatest characteristic and charm of Nakata's work is that the silver sinks into the glaze as a final thin layer of glaze is applied, resulting in a pure and elegant shine.

Shigemasa Minami's Kutani ware is based on a rare "pale green" color, and he depicts animals and plants such as shrikes, tits, kingfishers, and bamboo. His innovative compositions reflect the sensibility of a man who once worked as a Western tableware designer.

Ryo Sato is an artist who creates narrative "colored porcelain" that effectively combines soft, watercolor-like hues with the five Kutani colors. Unusually for Kutani ware, he uses both hand-molding and wheel-throwing techniques, actively incorporating methods and tools not found in Kutani tradition, and creating pottery with sincerity.

Yukihiro Yoshida is an artist known for his "colored gold decoration" and "colored gold brocade" works, which feature pastel-like coloring. He devise a technique to make the porcelain as light and delicate as possible by drying the clay before carving, and he expresses complex colors by repeating the firing process at least five times.

Kei Akachi is a craft artist who creates tableware, which is unusual for Kutani ware, a type of pottery often associated with high-end dishes. This time, he will be exhibiting rice bowls, soba noodle cups, mugs, and more. Together with his father, Ken Akachi, he uses red to freely and expressively create patterns that are truly delightful.

Masayasu Mitsuke is a young artist specializing in "Akae Saibyo" (red porcelain with fine details). Unlike his mentor, Takeyama Fukushima, he is a rising star in contemporary Kutani ware, challenging the world of "Akae Saibyo" with original patterns inspired by the designs of old kimonos, the brilliance of jewelry, and the architecture of churches in other countries.

Koichi Mori (Art critic and Secretary-General of the Japan Ceramic Society)