Hello everyone, how are you all doing?
With heavy rain falling across western Japan today, we are seeing continuous downpours here in the Bizen region as well.
I wonder if it’s a professional quirk of those in the pottery business to be reminded of gold-leaf-like glazes whenever looking at the rain.
Now, the other day, I visited the home of a collector to deliver a box.
They had just finished their new combined exhibition room and guest room, so I was invited to take a look.
This person has collected paintings and clocks, but in recent years, they have also been collecting Bizen ware with great enthusiasm.
Their collection is wide-ranging, from old Bizen pieces to contemporary ceramics, and I learned so much from seeing some truly surprising masterpieces and rare items.
Also, though not pottery, there was even a custom golf cap embroidered with a potter's mark by Kei Fujiwara, which served as a reminder of the vast history embedded in the culture of Bizen ware.
It is always simply a joy to look at someone else's shelves, and I found myself losing track of time as I enjoyed the visit.
Thank you very much.
In front of the entrance are a pottery wheel, along with crafts and flower vases by late artists.
This is the view from the entrance, featuring work by Kosuke Kaneshige and old Bizen pieces.
This is the new exhibition and guest room. The paintings by Toyozo Arakawa and the fan painting by Wasaku Kobayashi are spectacular.
There are also magnificent old Bizen tea containers and a water jar by Toyo Kaneshige.
This is the other side, lined with fan-shaped plates by Toyo Kaneshige and teapots by late artists.
Below, there are sake vessels by contemporary artists.