Hello everyone, how are you doing?
For the sixth installment of our New Year's special project, I would like to introduce an Ibe bowl by Mitiaki Kaneshige.
This year marks exactly 20 years since the passing of Mitiaki Kaneshige.
This is a masterpiece packed with the charm of "Mitiaki Bizen," which continues to captivate many ceramic enthusiasts even today.
The box for this piece is inscribed with "Hatsugama Koshin," indicating it was created in 1980.
It was also an exhibited work at the Mitiaki Kaneshige Ceramic Exhibition held at Okayama Takashimaya,
and I acquired it directly from someone who purchased it at that time.
When I spoke with Tsuyoshi-sensei, he mentioned that the kiln built in 1980 was originally Toyo Kaneshige's kiln;
it was known to be a very difficult kiln to fire, but it was improved to suit Mitiaki-sensei's firing methods.
Subsequent works were fired in this kiln, and after his passing, it was inherited by his sons, Iwao-sensei and Tsuyoshi-sensei.
In my personal opinion, I believe this is the secret to Mitiaki-sensei's enduring popularity.
Even while watching the works of great masters like Toyo-sensei and Sozan-sensei from up close,
Mitiaki-sensei never simply mimicked their styles.
Just as he improved Toyo-sensei's kiln to suit his own needs, he relentlessly pursued his own form of firing,
establishing a style of Bizen that was remarkably earnest, exceptionally meticulous, and uniquely his own.
That is precisely why his work retains its timeless charm and continues to fascinate ceramic lovers today.
Upholding the teaching to prioritize the clay above all else, and refining his own beauty.
The superb kiln transformation and his earnest, honest style are a perfect match.
The reverse side also features a stunning scarlet color, like a sunset.
When you try using commercial pottery clay, you deeply realize just how difficult it is to achieve this quality of clay.
This scarlet color becomes even more vivid when wet.
It is a unique transformation characteristic of Bizen ware, which uses no glaze.
(Mitiaki Kaneshige / Ibe bowl, size: 31.8cm diameter × 6.1cm height, ¥350,000)
For detailed images of the work and other inquiries, please contact us below.
Tel: 0869-67-2210 Fax: 0869-67-2220
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