Holding a dish by Asano Akira

Dear Japanese Pottery Enthusiasts and Friends,

Greetings from Mishima and we hope this finds everyone well as we
enter in the lovely spring season, at least for those of us in
the northern hemisphere. In Mishima now spring is slowly
appearing in subtle way, a bud here, a songbird there and of
course the dreaded cedar pollen too! Into March……

Wakimoto Hiroyuki’s plates

Here at the gallery we have some stunning works online and more
on the horizon. A few weeks ago I visited Bizen for Wakimoto
Hiroyuki’s kiln unloading and selected an assortment of work,
some purely sculptural, yet most are daily functional pieces. I
often find the greatest joy in ceramic art is the beauty and
satisfaction that comes from the simple joys of daily life, such
as eating and drinking. Wakimoto’s tableware is quite
‘user-friendly’ and surely would bring a smile to Rosanjin’s
heart. Here is an example:
http://www.japanesepottery.com/gallery_detail.php?currentnum=0&cid=0&iid=1177&keys

Kako Katsumi’s Bowl

Also, we have some great news for two of our artists who we have
introduced to the world, Kako Katsumi and Gomi Kenji. For Kako it
is in the form of his chawan, of which he creates thoroughly new
glazing schemes and deep forms. First, a white-splashed glaze
chawan was selected for the very prestigious Japan Ceramic Art
exhibition showing in Tokyo next month. The JCA exhibition is a
select and juried exhibition that is quite hard to be shown at,
and most works are in a larger sculptural realm, of which Kako
also is maturing with great skill and finesse:
http://www.japanesepottery.com/gallery_detail.php?currentnum=0&cid=NOTSOLD&iid=802&keys=kako
In past JCA exhibitions very few chawan are exhibited, and in one
catalog I just flipped through there were only four, two being
from the hands of Living National Treasures! Kako’s chawan will
be in the catalog as well and we have a very similar one on the
gallery now:
http://www.japanesepottery.com/gallery_detail.php?currentnum=0&cid=NOTSOLD&iid=1169&keys=kako
The brown one shown in the related photos is also very similar
that was just selected and awarded at the upcoming Tanabe
Museum’s Contemporary Tea Forms exhibition! As I’ve told Kako
many times, “your time is now!”

Gomi Kenji’s vase

For Gomi Kenji his time is fast approaching, maybe even too fast.
Just last year we discovered him at a group exhibition in Gifu
and *immediately* fell head over heels for his stunning
creations. Well, the powers-that-are also took notice and his
work will also be shown at the JCA exhibition as well as being
awarded the JCA Exhibition Prize and Grand Prize Runner-Up! In
addition, he was awarded at the upcoming Musee Tomo Biennial.
Kudos to these truly talented rising stars!

Other news includes Kato Takahiko’s kiln unloading next week in
Shigaraki. I’ll be driving down for that to select works, as well
as to visit a few other artists there and in Kyoto. The Japan
Ceramic Society Awards went to Miwa KyusetsuXII(Ryosaku) and
Maeda Masahiro.
I was very saddened to hear the other day that Tokoname veteran
potter Takeuchi Kimiaki had passed way for reasons I still am not
sure of. His wife called and left a cryptic message. I called
back to express my condolences and left it at that. Takeuchi was
just 63 years old.

In Tokyo this weekend is a new kogei-craft fair and for anyone in
the area it should be worth visiting: http://global.kogeiart.com/
Some new works in the gallery also worth mentioning are a large
‘Fuji’ charger by the late great artist-teacher Asano Akira:
http://www.japanesepottery.com/gallery_detail.php?currentnum=1&cid=0&iid=1156&keys
A deep amber-glazed jar by Shimizu Yasutaka, square plate by
Living National Treasure Kondo Yuzo, a set of Oribe mukozuke by
the late great Sasaki Tadashi and a Mashiko faceted jar by the
late great Murata Gen.

We hope you’ll refresh your senses and enjoy some amazing works
by visiting our gallery online at www.japanesepottery.com or of
course stop by here in Mishima. We may have some big news about a
gallery move this year so stay tuned on that as well.

In any event, I and my staff thank you so very much for your
interest and patronage; all the best from Japan.

Cordially,

Robert Yellin
robert@e-yakimono.net
Yukari Niokawa
Izumi Tonegawa
Hiroko Iwata

RECOMMENDED RELATED SITES:
Warren Bobrow, Bread + Butter, Zoy Zhang, Hungry Neko, Think Twice, Frank Fariello, Mangantayon, Hapabento, Elinluv Tidbit Corner, Tokyo Terrace, Maison de Christina, Chrys Niles,Lexi, Culinary Musings, Wheeling Gourmet, Comestiblog, Chronicles Of A Curious Cook, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Palate To Pen, Yellin Yakimono Gallery, Tokyo Terrace, Hilah Cooking, More than a Mount Full, Arkonite Bento, Happy Little Bento; 5 Star Foodie; Jefferson’s Table; Oyster Culture; Gourmet Fury; Island Vittles; Good Beer & Country Boys; Rubber Slippers In Italy; Color Food daidokoro/Osaka;/a; The Witchy Kitchen; Citron Et Vanille, Lunsj Med Buffet/Estonian Gastronomy (English), Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Chrisoscope, Agrigraph, The Agriculture Portal to shizuoka!

Please check the new postings at:
sake, shochu and sushi

Greetings from Mishima,

The first day of October here arrives in what seems like a dream-passing of time; wasn’t it summer just a few days ago? We hope this finds all well in whatever season it may be where you are. Here in Japan autumn is one of the most delightful times of the year, not only for the beautiful scenery, yet also for the delicious food and art; autumn is called the ‘Culture Season’ with many exhibitions throughout the land. I recently wrote a Japan Times column on one such exhibition that can be read here: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fa20100903a1.html

What’s New on Our Site
This is a rather short newsletter of greeting and also to invite those who have signed our guest book to visit the online gallery if you haven’t recently. The variety of work is truly dazzling from recent additions such as Hasu Yoshitaka’s powerful Iga ash-glazed works, such as the box seen. Also featured is a brilliant Wa-Harmony Ring by Kako Katsumi, a rare 1966 Bizen vase-flask by Mori Togaku, published Bizen work by Kakurezaki Ryuichi, a large celadon charger by Living National Treasure Nakajima Hiroshi, major Nezumi-Shino platter by Wakao Toshisada and two platinum-glazed kogo by wonder-women Ogawa Machiko. We’ll also have some new works to show by Gomi Kenji soon as well.

So, please do pay a visit to www.japanesepottery.com to refresh your spirit with some autumn beauty from Japan.

Lecture-Dinner in Tokyo
Also, on the evening of Oct.22nd world-renowned sake authority John Gauntner and I will be hosting a lecture-dinner in Tokyo and for anyone who might be available, or know someone in Tokyo who might be interested, please do email me directly for more details. John’s extensive web site can be visited at www.sake-world.com.

Online Exhibitions, 2011 Yakimono Calendar
We have no large exhibitions planned at the gallery for the remainder of the year, yet will be offering works by various artists in our Exhibition Page each month, as well as weekly updates of works that are always a pleasure to view. I’ll be visiting Bizen and Mino this month so please look for treasures from those parts soon.

We’ll have a lovely Yakimono calendar for 2011 and will add your name to the list of those who will receive one, if you acquire a work from the gallery from now until mid-December.

Many thanks as always for your interest and as always;
All the best from Japan.

Cordially,
Robert Yellin

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)

Please check the new postings at:
sake, shochu and sushi

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日本語のブログ
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Book Details:

Title: Ode to Japanese Pottery, Sake Cups and Flasks
Author: Robert Lee Yellin
Hardcover: 208 pages
Dimensions: 22.7 x 18.2 x 2 cm
Photos: All color photography, 62 pages
Photography: Yoshihide Minato and Hiroya Yoshimori
Language: English
Publisher: Coherence Inc.
ISBN: 4-907731-05-1
Price: US $49.50 (cheaper if ordered directly from HOMEPAGE: ROBERT YELLIN YAKIMONO GALLERY)

Highlights:

Sake cups and flasks by approximately 100 modern and contemporary potters. Main text by Robert Yellin, with additional text by Wahei Aoyama entitled “A Brief History of Sake Vessels.” Book includes a detailed glossary of terms, and hand-painted calligraphy and artwork by various artists. This book is the English version of Yakimono Sanka by Robert Yellin, first published in Japanese in 1995 by Kogei Shuppan. Yakimono Sanka was recommended by the Japanese Library Association for inclusion into all Japanese public libraries.

Review:

In the world of Japanese pottery lie the aesthetic sensibilities of traditional Japanese culture. Robert L. Yellin, ceramic art columnist for The Japan Times, delivers in this detailed volume his insights into modern and contemporary Japanese pottery, in particular ceramic sake cups and flasks.

Originally written in 1995 for a Japanese audience, Ode to Japanese Pottery is an ideal introduction to those unacquainted to Japanese pottery, and a welcome asset to the libraries of Japanese ceramic art collectors and connoisseurs. The volume exhibits various styles of Japanese pottery, namely Bizen, Shigaraki, and Shino wares. Above all, Ode to Japanese Pottery gives the reader a grasp of the unique and delicate aesthetics of Japan, an aesthetic that has long captivated artists and art lovers the world over.

Inquiries:

To inquire about this publication, please click here.

Page Samples:

Excerpt from “Ode to Japanese Pottery,” page 40

Isezaki Yozan — Tokkuri of Eternity Isezaki Yozan (1902 – 1961) was a Bizen potter renowned for his sculptured pieces. He was designated an Okayama Prefecture Intangible Cultural Property in 1954. I have only come across one of his pieces on all my journeys (his pieces are quite rare). However, it is this tokkuri that I feel most closely gives me a glimpse of things eternal or ‘mugen’ in Japanese. This tokkuri is so simple in its appearance that it is almost deceiving; yet within its form are colors and a depth that refreshes the spirit. It is a piece that takes time to appreciate, like a good piece of music or a cherished friend. It is only with frequent contact and after a period of time that we can begin to comprehend the wisdom inherent within. This piece was fired with a cup or bowl over its neck (kabuse-yaki), which gives the effect of a ring around the shoulder.

Yakimono Gallery
3-2-18 Omiya-cho, Mishima-shi, Shizuoka, Japan,411-0035
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RECOMMENDED RELATED SITES:
Warren Bobrow, Bread + Butter, Zoy Zhang, Hungry Neko, Think Twice, Frank Fariello, Mangantayon, Hapabento, Elinluv Tidbit Corner, Tokyo Terrace, Maison de Christina, Chrys Niles,Lexi, Culinary Musings, Wheeling Gourmet, Comestiblog, Chronicles Of A Curious Cook, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Palate To Pen, Yellin Yakimono Gallery, Tokyo Terrace, Hilah Cooking, More than a Mount Full, Arkonite Bento, Happy Little Bento; 5 Star Foodie; Jefferson’s Table; Oyster Culture; Gourmet Fury; Island Vittles; Good Beer & Country Boys; Rubber Slippers In Italy; Color Food daidokoro/Osaka;/a; The Witchy Kitchen; Citron Et Vanille, Lunsj Med Buffet/Estonian Gastronomy (English), Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Ideal Party

Please check the new postings at:
sake, shochu and sushi