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No. 8070
Bizen Guinomi
¥88,000
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Description
Possessing extraordinary and unrivalled skills often described as almost divine, Tōshū Yamamoto created numerous masterpieces and was designated a Living National Treasure. This is a Bizen Guinomi by the artist.
Yamamoto began his career as a craftsman and lived through a period of great upheaval before being designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. This Guinomi bears the potter’s mark he used during the later years of his career.
Its perfectly balanced, symmetrical, and exceptionally refined form is deeply pleasing to the eye, reflecting the mastery of an artist who devoted his entire life to working at the potter’s wheel.
Through the Yamamoto family’s distinctive firing method, which combines assorted hardwoods with Japanese red pine, deep green-tinged Goma effects have developed across the surface. The resulting scenery brings together both the power of the flames characteristic of Tōshū Yamamoto and a quiet sense of wabi-sabi.
Alongside the deep green Goma, natural black kiln effects have also appeared without the use of a clay slip. Together with the golden tones emerging from the clay body, these colors make the work immediately recognizable as one by Tōshū Yamamoto.
Judging from the box inscription, the potter’s mark, and the overall style, this work dates from the final years of his career. Nevertheless, the remarkably swift and precise trimming of the foot shows no trace of age. It suggests that his craftsmanship had progressed beyond conscious theory or technique, becoming deeply embedded in the memory of his body.
Tōshū Yamamoto (1906–1994) was born in Imbe, Bizen City. After graduating from Imbe Jinjō Higher Elementary School, he entered the world of pottery in 1921 and trained at the Kōbidō and Tōkeidō kilns.
In 1933, he built his own kiln and began working independently. In 1938, he studied under the Kyoto ceramic artist Yaichi Kusube and further refined his ceramic techniques.
After World War II, he formed close friendships with Rosanjin Kitaōji and Isamu Noguchi and was influenced by their artistic ideas.
Yamamoto possessed such outstanding wheel-throwing skills that he became known as a “master of the potter’s wheel.” He created numerous works distinguished by their refined forms and elegant dignity.
Beginning in 1976, he presented a series of exhibitions entitled the “Tea Ware Series” in Tokyo and Osaka over a period of five years, establishing his reputation as an artist of tea ceramics. He was particularly fond of making chaire tea caddies and produced many examples throughout his career.
He also traveled to Europe, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and the United States to study ceramics from overseas.
In 1954, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1959, his large Hidasuki bowl, exhibited at the Brussels World Exposition, received the Grand Prix Gold Medal.
In 1970, he was appointed a director of the Japan Kōgei Association. In 1987, he became the third Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 1992, he held the exhibition *Journey through the Six Ancient Kilns: Living National Treasure Tōshū Yamamoto*.
Tōshū Yamamoto passed away in 1994.
Major awards and honors include the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Miki Memorial Award, the Sanyō Shimbun Award, the Chūgoku Culture Award, the Mainichi Art Award, the Bizen City Distinguished Service Award, the Medal with Purple Ribbon, the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette, and Honorary Citizen of Bizen City.
Yamamoto began his career as a craftsman and lived through a period of great upheaval before being designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. This Guinomi bears the potter’s mark he used during the later years of his career.
Its perfectly balanced, symmetrical, and exceptionally refined form is deeply pleasing to the eye, reflecting the mastery of an artist who devoted his entire life to working at the potter’s wheel.
Through the Yamamoto family’s distinctive firing method, which combines assorted hardwoods with Japanese red pine, deep green-tinged Goma effects have developed across the surface. The resulting scenery brings together both the power of the flames characteristic of Tōshū Yamamoto and a quiet sense of wabi-sabi.
Alongside the deep green Goma, natural black kiln effects have also appeared without the use of a clay slip. Together with the golden tones emerging from the clay body, these colors make the work immediately recognizable as one by Tōshū Yamamoto.
Judging from the box inscription, the potter’s mark, and the overall style, this work dates from the final years of his career. Nevertheless, the remarkably swift and precise trimming of the foot shows no trace of age. It suggests that his craftsmanship had progressed beyond conscious theory or technique, becoming deeply embedded in the memory of his body.
Tōshū Yamamoto (1906–1994) was born in Imbe, Bizen City. After graduating from Imbe Jinjō Higher Elementary School, he entered the world of pottery in 1921 and trained at the Kōbidō and Tōkeidō kilns.
In 1933, he built his own kiln and began working independently. In 1938, he studied under the Kyoto ceramic artist Yaichi Kusube and further refined his ceramic techniques.
After World War II, he formed close friendships with Rosanjin Kitaōji and Isamu Noguchi and was influenced by their artistic ideas.
Yamamoto possessed such outstanding wheel-throwing skills that he became known as a “master of the potter’s wheel.” He created numerous works distinguished by their refined forms and elegant dignity.
Beginning in 1976, he presented a series of exhibitions entitled the “Tea Ware Series” in Tokyo and Osaka over a period of five years, establishing his reputation as an artist of tea ceramics. He was particularly fond of making chaire tea caddies and produced many examples throughout his career.
He also traveled to Europe, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and the United States to study ceramics from overseas.
In 1954, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1959, his large Hidasuki bowl, exhibited at the Brussels World Exposition, received the Grand Prix Gold Medal.
In 1970, he was appointed a director of the Japan Kōgei Association. In 1987, he became the third Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 1992, he held the exhibition *Journey through the Six Ancient Kilns: Living National Treasure Tōshū Yamamoto*.
Tōshū Yamamoto passed away in 1994.
Major awards and honors include the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Miki Memorial Award, the Sanyō Shimbun Award, the Chūgoku Culture Award, the Mainichi Art Award, the Bizen City Distinguished Service Award, the Medal with Purple Ribbon, the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette, and Honorary Citizen of Bizen City.
Details
- Pottery Type
- guinomi
- Dimensions
- W6.7cm x D6.6cm x H5.6cm
About the Artist
Toshu Yamamoto (1906–1994) was born in Imbe, Bizen City. After graduating from Imbe Jinjo Higher Elementary School, he entered the world of pottery in 1921 and trained at the Koubido and Tokeido kilns.
In 1933, he built his own kiln and began working independently. In 1938, he studied under the Kyoto ceramic artist Yaichi Kusube and further refined his ceramic techniques.
After World War II, he formed close friendships with Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi and was influenced by their artistic ideas.
Yamamoto possessed such outstanding wheel-throwing skills that he became known as a “master of the potter’s wheel.” He created numerous works distinguished by their refined forms and elegant dignity.
Beginning in 1976, he presented a series of exhibitions entitled the “Tea Ware Series” in Tokyo and Osaka over a period of five years, establishing his reputation as an artist of tea ceramics. He was particularly fond of making chaire tea caddies and produced many examples throughout his career.
He also traveled to Europe, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and the United States to study ceramics from overseas.
In 1954, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1959, his large Hidasuki bowl, exhibited at the Brussels World Exposition, received the Grand Prix Gold Medal.
In 1970, he was appointed a director of the Japan Kōgei Association. In 1987, he became the third Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 1992, he held the exhibition *Journey through the Six Ancient Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto*.
Toshu Yamamoto passed away in 1994.
Major awards and honors include the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Miki Memorial Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Chugoku Culture Award, the Mainichi Art Award, the Bizen City Distinguished Service Award, the Medal with Purple Ribbon, the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette, and Honorary Citizen of Bizen City.
In 1933, he built his own kiln and began working independently. In 1938, he studied under the Kyoto ceramic artist Yaichi Kusube and further refined his ceramic techniques.
After World War II, he formed close friendships with Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi and was influenced by their artistic ideas.
Yamamoto possessed such outstanding wheel-throwing skills that he became known as a “master of the potter’s wheel.” He created numerous works distinguished by their refined forms and elegant dignity.
Beginning in 1976, he presented a series of exhibitions entitled the “Tea Ware Series” in Tokyo and Osaka over a period of five years, establishing his reputation as an artist of tea ceramics. He was particularly fond of making chaire tea caddies and produced many examples throughout his career.
He also traveled to Europe, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and the United States to study ceramics from overseas.
In 1954, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1959, his large Hidasuki bowl, exhibited at the Brussels World Exposition, received the Grand Prix Gold Medal.
In 1970, he was appointed a director of the Japan Kōgei Association. In 1987, he became the third Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 1992, he held the exhibition *Journey through the Six Ancient Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto*.
Toshu Yamamoto passed away in 1994.
Major awards and honors include the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Miki Memorial Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Chugoku Culture Award, the Mainichi Art Award, the Bizen City Distinguished Service Award, the Medal with Purple Ribbon, the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette, and Honorary Citizen of Bizen City.