Thoughts on the long-awaited "Bizen Exhibition"


Bizen ware has been fired uninterruptedly since the Middle Ages as unglazed unglazed pottery. The reason for this is the clay. Bizen clay is the finest of the six ancient kilns, and is vulnerable to sudden changes in temperature, so the firing temperature is gradually increased over time. Clay is broadly divided into mountain clay and rice field clay, and rice field clay is said to have the best clay flavor after firing because it is a sticky and plastic clay. Other characteristics of Bizen ware include botamochi, red sash, sesame, and sankiri, but from the Kamakura to Muromachi periods, vases, jars, and mortars were actively produced, and from the Momoyama to Edo periods, masterpieces of tea ware and crafts were actively produced. Currently, there are many people who are returning to ancient pottery and people who are looking for new Bizen ware, but I think it's fine if each person expresses their own Bizen ware.
In addition to the father-son pair Mitsuo and Munehiko Morioka, who have a close relationship with Ippodo, and Yuji Ushirozeki, six young Bizen artists participated in this exhibition: Koichiro Isezaki, Kazuya Ishida, Masahiko Kondo, Takuma Takigawa, Hiroshi Toyofuku, and Yusaku Matsumoto. The works of Mitsuo and Munehiko Morioka express the simple beauty of form born from everyday life. Yuji Ushirozeki studied under Jun Isezaki. His works convey the unique expression of the earth that is Bizen. Koichiro Isezaki studied under Jeff Shapiro in New York. He is challenging himself to realize the diverse richness that earth can have by creating objects made of earth that affect space and emotions. Kazuya Ishida studied under Jun Isezaki. He pursues new forms while focusing on potter's wheel techniques and the expression of earth. Masahiko Kondo studied under Ryuichi Kakurezaki. His works convey the plumpness of the earth. Takuma Takikawa studied under Shimamura Hikaru. He creates attractive pieces by paying close attention to the small details of small crafts. Hiroshi Toyofuku studied under Kawabata Fumio. Based on the technique of 'Shizen-nerekomi', he creates pieces that incorporate ingenuity in the combination of surfaces. Yusaku Matsumoto studied under Wakimoto Hiroyuki. He is attempting to create flower vases that make the most of the beautiful characteristics of Bizen ware. Please enjoy the long-awaited "Bizen Ware Exhibition".

Koichi Mori (Art critic, permanent director of the Japan Ceramic Association)


Featured Artists
Mitsuo Morioka | Munehiko and his son | Hiroshi Goseki | Koichiro Isezaki | Kazuya Ishida | Masahiko Kondo | Takuma Takigawa | Hiroshi Toyofuku | Yusaku Matsumoto