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vase: Ko eno tsuioku |
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Isokichi
Asakura |
While
preserving many of the traditions of kutani pottery, Isokichi
Asada has also contributed a wealth of new designs, techniques,
and forms to the field in creating his own distinctive works.
Brief history: Born in Terai-machi, Ishikawa-ken in 1913,
after graduating from primary school he first began learning
the art of pottery from his father. In 1928 he began studying
under the first Yasokichi Tokuda. Eighteen years later, in
1946, he began studying painting with colors under Tojiro
Kitade. In the same year he entered a water bowl at the first
Nitten Exhibition and won a prize. In subsequent years Asakura
received a host of major prizes and honors, including: the
Hokkoku Shimbun Cultural Award, in 1968; the Prime Minister's
Prize at the Nitten Exhibition, in 1977; the Japan Arts Academy
Prize, in 1981; the Fourth Order of Merit with the Grand Cordon
of the Rising Sun and membership in the Japan Arts Academy
(the first Ishikawa-born potter so honored), in 1984; honorary
citizenship from the town of Terai, in 1986; designation as
a Person of Cultural Merit (the first kutani-yaki potter so
honored), in 1992; and advisor to the Nitten Exhibition, in
1993. |
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Yasokichi
Tokuda |
The
third Yasokichi Tokuda has also preserved long-held traditions-of
aote kokutani-and has innovated, establishing a modern over-glazed
color technique that has made him well known in Japan, as
well as overseas where he has had many one-man exhibitions.
Brief history: He learned kokutani dye glazing from his grandfather,
the first Yasokichi Tokuda, and learned modern pottery from
his father, the second Yasokichi Tokuda. Tokuda graduated
from Kanazawa College of Art, and in 1971 won the NHK Chairman's
Prize with a colored bowl, his first entry in the Japan Traditional
Crafts Exhibition. In 1977 he won the Japan Crafts Association's
Chairman's Prize, the highest award at the Japan Traditional
Crafts Exhibition. In 1985 he won the Hokkoku Shimbun Cultural
Award, and in 1986 the Japan Pottery Association Prize. In
the same year he was designated an Intangible Cultural Asset
of Ishikawa's kutani-yaki pottery. In 1988 he inherited the
name Yasokichi and became the third Yasokichi Tokuda. In 1991,
for his work Sosei, he won the Chichibunomiya Cup, the most
prestigious prize at the Japan Pottery Exhibition. In the
same year he was commended by the Foreign Minister for his
efforts in the area of international cultural exchange. In
1993 he received the Purple Ribbon Medal. |
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| Decorative
dish: Reimei |
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| Decorative
dish: Kitamaebune |
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Takashi
Kitamura |
Famous
for his bright gold and silver glazes, colorful kutani gosai,
and aote kutani, Takashi Kitamura has preserved long-held
traditions as well as broken new ground with his own distinctive
style.
Brief history: Born in Ishikawa prefecture in 1946, in 1970
he began studying under Isokichi Asakura. Three years later
he won the first prize of 17 prizes awarded to him at the
Nitten Exhibition. In the same year he won his first prize
at the Japan Modern Craft Exhibition, an event where he has
won many subsequent prizes as well. In 1979 he won a prize
at the Asahi Pottery Exhibition; the same year he was a winner
at the Ishikawa Prefecture Traditional Craft Exhibition. In
1984 he won first prize at the Ishikawa Prefecture Museum
Memory Exhibition of the Modern Art Exhibition. Two years
later he became a member of the Nitten Exhibition. In 1990,
along with a master of the Ishisu style, he held an exhibition
celebrating the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship
between New York and Tokyo. In 1992 he won a bronze medal
at the Apolopolis Museum International Exhibition in Nice,
France, followed in the same year by an exhibition with bamboo
brush makers from Suzu-shi at the Louvre in Paris. Recently
he has held the Takashi Kitamura Exhibition at various places. |
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Kiyo
Hasegawa |
Kiyo
Hasegawa has established her own style using the gosaite (five
colors: yellow, green, purple, blue, and red) technique. Her
work portrays beautiful elements of nature, such as Mt. Fuji
and cherry blossoms. She plays leading roles in Noh and has
a vast knowledge of traditional culture.
Brief history: Born in 1940 in Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture,
she won her first prize at the Nitten Exhibition in 1962.
In 1967 she won a prize at the Women's Pottery Exhibition
and became a member of the Women's Pottery Association. In
1971 she held her first solo exhibition at the Matsuya department
store in Ginza, Tokyo. In 1974 she won the Florence City Purchase
Prize at the Florence International Pottery Exhibition in
Italy. The following year she volunteered her services to
the San Francisco Exhibition. In 1985 she was asked to display
her work at the International Pottery Exhibition held by the
Taipei Museum, and in 1986 she was asked to enter her work
at the Hokuriku Women's Art Exhibition, where she won a prize.
In 1987 she won the Hokkoku Women's Pottery Prize, and in
1989 she did a wall painting for the Shinyokohama Mother and
Child Hospital. In 1995 she celebrated her forty years in
pottery by holding exhibitions in various places. |
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| Sakura
sakura wo omou nari: Toro |
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