Category Archives: Traditional Japanese Handcrafts

Robert Yellin’s Newsletter: Hatano Hideo Exhibition

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Greetings from Kyoto!

It’s been quite some time since our last newsletter and we hope this finds you well; all is very well—and cold—here in Kyoto in this old illustrious home. It hasn’t snowed that much at all this winter, yet a few days ago we did get a light dusting and the gallery garden was magical. I do hope before the sakura bloom we get at least one more snow fall here in the ancient capital. And then comes magical spring, any season for that matter is magical in Kyoto, we hope you can visit us one day in person.

Hatano Hideo Exhibition

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Hatano Hideo

In the meantime though online now we’re having a ‘White As Snow’ Hagi exhibition by Hatano Hideo.

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Hatano(b.1971) creates Hagi pottery that is at both classical and very contemporary.
Hideo’s father is Yamaguchi Prefectural Intangible Property Hatano Zenzo, with whom he has studied, in particular about the beauty of Hagi’s warm glazes.
Hatano graduated from Tama Art University having studied sculpture, and then moved to Kyoto where he studied at the Kyoto Municipal College of Pottery Technology and also at the Kyoto Municipal Technical Research Institute.

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In 2001 his work was accepted for the first time at the Japan Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition, where he has shown nine times. He has also been selected for the juried Tanabe Museum’s Contemporary Tea Forms Exhibition (six times). His main exhibition venues are leading department store galleries such as Mitsukoshi and Tenmaya.
We are pleased to show 41 recent works by this rising Hagi star: http://www.japanesepottery.com/gallery.php

Other Works of Note

Other works of note on the gallery are also a Hagi work by the Miwa Hanako, in a work titled Jyo or Purification. The crystal form she told me is that of a snow crystal, you can view it here.

Another Hagi work by Hanako’s uncle, Kazuhiko, can be viewed here.

It was sad to hear that Miwa Jyusetsu passed away late last year at 103, Kazuhiko’s father and Hanako’s grandfather; one of the last, if not the last, giants of the 20th century, more about him can be read here in a past Japan Times article I wrote: click here.

And about Hagi in general: here.

Exhibitions on the Horizon

snow-in-the-garden

It seems the winter season has us longing for snow, and the only place we can find it on a daily basis is on Hagi works. Long ago in my original ‘Yakimono Sanka’ (Ode to Japanese Pottery) book I wrote a haiku that went, ‘Fuji’s pure white snow, melted on a body of clay, Hagi Sake cup!’ For some reason all the haiku I wrote that were in the Japanese edition were forgotten to be included in the English version. Haiku, which pottery can be a visual version, were written about Iga, Bizen, Ki-Seto, Shigaraki, and the Momoyama period.

Exhibitions on the horizon for us include Arimatsu Kuugen (Shino) in April, Iga’s Fujioka in the autumn along with Ajiki Hiro’s 99 Mandala Guinomi Part Two also in the autumn, in between we’ll be adding other exhibitions and update you via this newsletter then. Please note though that there are many ‘mini-exhibitions’ on the gallery often as well as works updated to the gallery many times each week, we invite you to explore the gallery pages at your leisure.

We thank you as always for visiting and supporting our gallery and the living potters of Japan, they are deeply appreciative as well.

Sincerely,

Robert Yellin (Robert@e-yakimono.net)

Robert Yellin Yakimono Gallery
Ginkakuji-mae-cho 39
Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu
JAPAN 606-8407
Phone- Int’l: 81-75-708-5581, fax: 81-75-708-5393
Within Japan: 075-708-5581, fax: 075-708-5393
hhtp://www.japanesepottery.com

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Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pierre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
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Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

38th Shizuoka Traditional Crafts Exhibition at Matsuzakaya Department Store! (Part 2)

Motif-inlaid Utility Lacquer box!

From January 18th through the 23rd a big exhibition is featuring traditional crafts and artists from all over the Prefecture!
This is a must-see event as Shizuoka Prefecture is a major crafts producing Prefecture in Japan!
No less than 66 artists will be represented!
This is the second installment but I will start soon running a series of individual interviews of these artists who are contributing so much to the preservation of great Japanese traditions!

Geta/wooden clogs and a picture of the artist whom I will interview soon!

Beautifully hand-carved and painted geta for ladies!

Elegant low-heeled men geta!

Nobody but a doll will ever wear these getas as they are smaller than the palm of your hand! Exquisite objet d’art!

Lady kimono “obidome/belt knot cover”!

More cute obidome!

Lady lacquered hairpins/hairknots!

Lady pendant tops, obidome, and hair barettes!

Exquisite business cards holders (for ladies!)!

Motif-inlaid lacquered utility boxes!

The artist about to paint the carved lacquer box!
Will interview him soon!

A favorite of mine: Japanese Sake Serving Glassware!

Business card holders for gentlemen!

Laquered paper tissue/napkin box you could use as a stand at the same time!

Dyed cloth eco-bag!

Wonderful lacquered chopsticks!

Expensive lacquered soup bowls!

Lacquered trays and bento boxes (for ladies) inlaid with dragonfly motif!

Exquisitely feminine bento boxes!

Another favorite of mine: Lacquered Japanese cups! A bit expensive but a true piece of art!

These beautiful insects are made of bamboo!

These bamboo lattice vase or lamp holders are a trademark of Shizuoka!

For a romantic night!

A lot of ladies would love such an elegant hand bag both for its originality and sheer intricacy!

Superb vessels for ikebana/flower arranging!

Traditional Shizuhata/賎機焼 pottery officially recognized as an asset of Shizuoka Prefecture!
The bowls can be used as such or for decoration as they bear pedestals on their back.

When you turn them over you realize they represent the face of a goblin/Oni/鬼!

More pottery from the same artist family I will interview soon!

More celebrated (and expensive!) Shizuhata pottery!

“Wappa” box with interesting motifs!

The artist and his family dye and wash this “Aizome/藍染” dye cloth with the water of their own well!

Dyed cloth bags!

Dyed cloth lady purses!

Don’t worry, many interviews coming soon!

Matsuzakaya Department Store
Right across the street from the Shizuoka JR Station North Exit
Opening hours: 10:00=19:00

For more information on prices, availability and orders please contact:
Robert-Gilles Martineau at Agrigraph
r.martineau@m2-labo.jp
Fax: (81)(0)537-7724

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Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

38th Shizuoka Traditional Crafts Exhibition at Matsuzakaya Department Store!

Ikawa Mempa Bento Boxes!

From January 18th through the 23rd a big exhibition will feature traditional crafts and artists from all over the Prefecture!
This is a must-see event as Shizuoka Prefecture is a major crafts producing Prefecture in Japan!
No less than 66 artists will be represented!

Yesterday I ran to the 8th Floor of the department store to take pictures to give you an idea on what is on offer!
Naturally, I will start running a series of individual interviews of these artists who are contributing so much to the preservation of great Japanese traditions!

Here we go!

Box weaving artist!

Natural fiber woven boxes!

Everyday necessities from geta/wooden clog, purse to trays and lamps!

Ikawa Mempa lacquered bento boxes!

This large bento box could be used as a tray!

High quality wood cabinets and vase supports!

Traditional “tansu” drawer chests!

Arguably better than fragile antiques! And as good-looking!

Tempting, aren’t they? Both useful and so decorative!

One of my favorite crafts, bamboo lattice handcraft!

Light, sturdy and elegant for everyday use and decoration!

I couldn’t get my hands off them!

Japanese wooden clogs, geta! The reason that they are still popular is that they are actually promoting the feet’s health!

For gentlemen and ladies!

Exquisite pendants!

Decorated lacquered boxes!

2012 is the Year of the Dragon!

Beautiful Japanese traditional motifs!

Traditional wooden toys! Such Japanese-made toys are becoming a rarity!

Shizuoka is also celebrated for its “Aizome” dyed cloth which is also used in modern fashion!

This material will make your friends envious. Just think of the possibilities!

More everyday apparels!

Coaster collection for every year!

Very elegant and cheerful on a cold winter day!

Everyday enameled earthenware!

Both extravagant and sophisticated everyday earthenware!

Beautiful lunch boxes, chopsticks, trays all lacquered for ladies!

Mini mirrors!

And this is only a small part!
I might as well take more pictures today!

Matsuzakaya Department Store
Right across the street from the Shizuoka JR Station North Exit
Opening hours: 10:00=19:00

For more information on prices, availability and orders please contact:
Robert-Gilles Martineau at Agrigraph
r.martineau@m2-labo.jp
Fax: (81)(0)537-7724

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

With a Glass,
Clumsyfingers by Xethia
Adventures in Bento Making, American Bento, Beanbento, Bento No1, Bento Wo Tsukurimashou, Cooking Cute, Eula, Hapabento , Happy Bento, Jacki’s Bento Blog, Kitchen Cow, Leggo My Obento, Le Petit Journal Bento & CO (French), Lunch In A Box, My Bento Box, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, The Herbed Kitchen, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat; Bento Lunch Blog (German); Adventures In Bento; Anna The Red’s Bento Factory; Cooking Cute; Timeless Gourmet; Bento Bug; Ideal Meal; Bentosaurus; Mr. Foodie (London/UK); Ohayo Bento

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Good Beer & Country Boys, Another Pint, Please!
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery