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No. 8120
Bizen Shuhai
¥38,500
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Description
Yu Fujiwara, a Living National Treasure, broadened his vision beyond Japan and helped introduce the appeal of Bizen ware to audiences around the world. This is a Bizen Shuhai by the artist.
The work is immediately recognizable as one by Yu Fujiwara. Free from decorative tricks or unnecessary technical display, it has a direct and unguarded quality, as though confronting the viewer with the artist’s spirit laid bare.
Created during the later years of his career, the piece is somewhat thinly formed, yet still clearly displays the distinctive characteristics of Fujiwara’s work.
Deep brown Hidasuki markings run across the reddish-brown clay surface. The piece was fired inside a saggar in a climbing kiln, protecting it from direct ash while allowing the straw markings to develop.
Inside the cup, Hidasuki covers almost the entire surface. The markings themselves carry a noticeable sheen, giving the interior an atmosphere quite different from the exterior, almost reminiscent of lacquerware or ironware.
The form is also unmistakably Fujiwara’s, combining a relatively tall, sharply cut foot with a body that rises in his characteristically soft and relaxed manner.
Yu Fujiwara (1932–2001) was born in Honami, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, as the eldest son of Kei Fujiwara, the second Bizen ware artist to be designated a Living National Treasure.
After graduating from the Faculty of Letters at Meiji University in 1955, he worked for the publishing company Misuzu Shobo. At the recommendation of the ceramics scholar Fumio Koyama, however, he returned to Bizen and trained in ceramic techniques under his father, Kei Fujiwara.
In his pottery, Fujiwara pursued the principles of “simplicity, clarity, and boldness.” He produced numerous large jars and bowls and became known as the “Yu of Jars.”
He was also influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji and demonstrated exceptional skill in the creation of tableware.
From 1972, he held a series of solo exhibitions, including the *One Hundred Jars Exhibition*, the *Tokkuri Tokkuri Exhibition*, the *One Hundred Flower Vessels Exhibition*, and the *One Hundred Bowls Exhibition*.
He also created many large-scale reliefs and sculptural objects, expanding the expressive possibilities of Bizen ware.
In 1967, he received the Japan Ceramic Society Award. In 1980, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.
In 1996, he was designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, becoming, together with his father, the first father and son in the field of ceramics to both be recognized as Living National Treasures.
Yu Fujiwara passed away in 2001.
Major awards and honors include the Kaneshige Toyo Award, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Chugoku Culture Award, the Minister of Education’s Art Encouragement Prize, the Academia Grand Prize for Art and Culture, and the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.
The work is immediately recognizable as one by Yu Fujiwara. Free from decorative tricks or unnecessary technical display, it has a direct and unguarded quality, as though confronting the viewer with the artist’s spirit laid bare.
Created during the later years of his career, the piece is somewhat thinly formed, yet still clearly displays the distinctive characteristics of Fujiwara’s work.
Deep brown Hidasuki markings run across the reddish-brown clay surface. The piece was fired inside a saggar in a climbing kiln, protecting it from direct ash while allowing the straw markings to develop.
Inside the cup, Hidasuki covers almost the entire surface. The markings themselves carry a noticeable sheen, giving the interior an atmosphere quite different from the exterior, almost reminiscent of lacquerware or ironware.
The form is also unmistakably Fujiwara’s, combining a relatively tall, sharply cut foot with a body that rises in his characteristically soft and relaxed manner.
Yu Fujiwara (1932–2001) was born in Honami, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, as the eldest son of Kei Fujiwara, the second Bizen ware artist to be designated a Living National Treasure.
After graduating from the Faculty of Letters at Meiji University in 1955, he worked for the publishing company Misuzu Shobo. At the recommendation of the ceramics scholar Fumio Koyama, however, he returned to Bizen and trained in ceramic techniques under his father, Kei Fujiwara.
In his pottery, Fujiwara pursued the principles of “simplicity, clarity, and boldness.” He produced numerous large jars and bowls and became known as the “Yu of Jars.”
He was also influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji and demonstrated exceptional skill in the creation of tableware.
From 1972, he held a series of solo exhibitions, including the *One Hundred Jars Exhibition*, the *Tokkuri Tokkuri Exhibition*, the *One Hundred Flower Vessels Exhibition*, and the *One Hundred Bowls Exhibition*.
He also created many large-scale reliefs and sculptural objects, expanding the expressive possibilities of Bizen ware.
In 1967, he received the Japan Ceramic Society Award. In 1980, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.
In 1996, he was designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, becoming, together with his father, the first father and son in the field of ceramics to both be recognized as Living National Treasures.
Yu Fujiwara passed away in 2001.
Major awards and honors include the Kaneshige Toyo Award, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Chugoku Culture Award, the Minister of Education’s Art Encouragement Prize, the Academia Grand Prize for Art and Culture, and the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.
Details
- Pottery Type
- guinomi
- Dimensions
- W7.0cm × D6.8cm × H5.9cm
About the Artist
Yu Fujiwara (1932–2001) was born in Honami, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, as the eldest son of Kei Fujiwara, the second Bizen ware artist to be designated a Living National Treasure.
After graduating from the Faculty of Letters at Meiji University in 1955, he worked for the publishing company Misuzu Shobo. At the recommendation of the ceramics scholar Fumio Koyama, however, he returned to Bizen and trained in ceramic techniques under his father, Kei Fujiwara.
In his pottery, Fujiwara pursued the principles of “simplicity, clarity, and boldness.” He produced numerous large jars and bowls and became known as the “Yu of Jars.”
He was also influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji and demonstrated exceptional skill in the creation of tableware.
From 1972, he held a series of solo exhibitions, including the *One Hundred Jars Exhibition*, the *Tokkuri Tokkuri Exhibition*, the *One Hundred Flower Vessels Exhibition*, and the *One Hundred Bowls Exhibition*.
He also created many large-scale reliefs and sculptural objects, expanding the expressive possibilities of Bizen ware.
In 1967, he received the Japan Ceramic Society Award. In 1980, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.
In 1996, he was designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, becoming, together with his father, the first father and son in the field of ceramics to both be recognized as Living National Treasures.
Yu Fujiwara passed away in 2001.
Major awards and honors include the Kaneshige Toyo Award, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Chugoku Culture Award, the Minister of Education’s Art Encouragement Prize, the Academia Grand Prize for Art and Culture, and the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.
After graduating from the Faculty of Letters at Meiji University in 1955, he worked for the publishing company Misuzu Shobo. At the recommendation of the ceramics scholar Fumio Koyama, however, he returned to Bizen and trained in ceramic techniques under his father, Kei Fujiwara.
In his pottery, Fujiwara pursued the principles of “simplicity, clarity, and boldness.” He produced numerous large jars and bowls and became known as the “Yu of Jars.”
He was also influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji and demonstrated exceptional skill in the creation of tableware.
From 1972, he held a series of solo exhibitions, including the *One Hundred Jars Exhibition*, the *Tokkuri Tokkuri Exhibition*, the *One Hundred Flower Vessels Exhibition*, and the *One Hundred Bowls Exhibition*.
He also created many large-scale reliefs and sculptural objects, expanding the expressive possibilities of Bizen ware.
In 1967, he received the Japan Ceramic Society Award. In 1980, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.
In 1996, he was designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, becoming, together with his father, the first father and son in the field of ceramics to both be recognized as Living National Treasures.
Yu Fujiwara passed away in 2001.
Major awards and honors include the Kaneshige Toyo Award, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Chugoku Culture Award, the Minister of Education’s Art Encouragement Prize, the Academia Grand Prize for Art and Culture, and the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.