Red-spotted tea bowl by Shigeo Takemura

Width: 11.0cm Height: 8.5cm

A conversation with Shigeo Takemura and Yotaro Takemura

Delicate and elegant color of red glaze

Shigeo Takemura's " Plum Red Spotted Glaze Tea Bowl " is a masterpiece with a pale and elegant pink expression, created by the red spotted glaze, one of the natural glazes he painstakingly created. The red spotted glaze is made from ashes obtained from grape branches pruned every year, and when it is fired in a kiln, a unique color that changes depending on the viewing angle emerges. The subtle red expression that can be seen in this pale blue is delicate, and the more you look at it, the more you can feel its beauty and richness.

Neat and powerful form

The shape of this tea bowl is very neat, and gives an overall dignified impression. Although the shape has a sense of stability , it also contains a certain delicate expression, making full use of the aesthetics of tea pottery. Shigeo Takemura has achieved a harmony between color and shape while bringing out the charm of the shape to the fullest, making this piece a true masterpiece of tea pottery.

A fusion of the strength of the clay and the warmth of the glaze

The "Plum Red Spot Glazed Tea Bowl" has an overwhelming presence, with the strength of the clay and the warmth of the glaze . Takemura's work combines the warmth and strength of the natural glaze, and combines both practicality as a vessel and artistic value. The natural vividness of the colors characteristic of Takemura's ash-glazed works, along with the stability of the shape of the tea bowl, captivate the viewer.

Red Glaze - The Rich Colors of Nature

Benima glaze is one of the natural ash glazes that Takemura treasures, and is characterized by its pale pink color that comes from grape branches . Takemura's ash glazes bring out the best in the properties of ash, and his many years of experience and skill are put into handling it. Benima glaze is not just a glaze, but is made with deep respect for nature, and each piece has a different look that is appealing.

The journey and passion of ceramic artist Shigeo Takemura

Born in Yamashina, Kyoto Prefecture, he studied pottery under the guidance of Kimura Morinobu, a holder of intangible cultural assets designated by Kyoto Prefecture. After graduating from the pottery department of Kyoto Municipal Hiyoshigaoka High School, he became an apprentice at the age of 18 and learned pottery techniques for eight years. In 1980, he became independent and opened Dainichigama in his current location, where he continues to create his own works. For over 30 years, he has practiced his unique method of making glazes from various plants and wood ash, and his passion and deep knowledge are reflected in his works.

Shigeo Takemura, a leading expert on natural ash glazes

The techniques used to make the glazes incorporate traditional methods that date back to ancient China, and their consistent approach has made them the leading experts in natural ash glazes . Making the glaze requires delicate work, such as dissolving plant ash in water and repeatedly changing the water to remove impurities, and it takes a long time and effort to complete the ash glaze. Only a small amount of ash can be obtained from several truckloads of plants and tree branches, but the ash is used to imbue the vessels with natural colors.

A plum-red glaze tea bowl that combines natural beauty with modern sensibility

The plum red glaze tea bowl is a work that expresses the beauty of natural ash glaze with a modern sensibility, and has a presence as a work of art that goes beyond a simple vessel. The elegance of the pale pink red glaze and the strength of the clay are in perfect harmony, and this work, which encapsulates Takemura's passion and technique for pottery making, has received extremely high praise even in the world of contemporary pottery.

Shigeo Takemura Biography

1953: Born in Yamashina, Kyoto Prefecture 1972: Graduated from Kyoto Municipal Hiyoshigaoka High School, Ceramic Department - Studied under Professor Kimura Morinobu 1975: First selection at the 4th Japan Crafts Association Kinki Branch Exhibition 1978: Selected for the Kyoto Prefecture Crafts and Arts Exhibition 1980: Became independent and opened Dainichi Kiln in Yamashina 1988: Selected for the 35th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 1989: Founded the Tsuchi no Ko-kai 1990: Selected for the 37th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 1996: Encouragement Award at the 25th Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition 1998: Selected for the 53rd Shinsho Crafts Association Exhibition 2001: Solo exhibition at the Kyoto Crafts and Arts Association Exhibition, Takashimaya, Kyoto 2002: Selected for the 49th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2003: Solo exhibition at Okayama Takashimaya Art Gallery 2005: Solo exhibition at Yokohama Takashimaya Art Gallery 2006: Solo exhibition at Kyoto Takashimaya Art Gallery 2007: 36th Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition, Kyoto Prefecture Board of Education Superintendent Award, Certified as a full member of the Japan Crafts Association Solo exhibition at Okayama Takashimaya Art Gallery 2008: 36th New Ceramics Exhibition by a full member of the Japan Crafts Association Ceramics Division, Japan Crafts Association Award 2009: Selected for the 56th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2010: Appointed as a judge for the 39th Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition 2014-2018: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition 2019-2020: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition 2023: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2024: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition