Shuten Gesshakuyū Nagashi Kinsai 16th Generation Shōrin Hōsai
Shuten Gesshakuyū Nagashi Kinsai 16th Generation Shōrin Hōsai
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Width: 7.2cm x 7.0cm Height: 4.8cm
The Rimpa Aesthetic in an Elegant Sakazuki
The "Sakazuki Gesshakuyu Nagashi Kinsai" by Hosai Matsubayashi is a work that beautifully merges elegance and sculptural beauty. The gold accents lend a graceful radiance to the whole piece. This shimmering gold evokes the Rimpa school of Ogata Korin, bringing both splendor and dignity to the entire sakazuki. The Rimpa aesthetic of "simplicity and ornamentation" is skillfully expressed, allowing the viewer to feel the deep history of Japanese art. This sakazuki, imbued with the beauty of Rimpa, offers not only practical use but also visual delight.
A Dreamlike Landscape Woven by the Beautiful Blue of Gesshakuyu Glaze
One of the prominent features of this work is the gesshakuyu glaze, which, with its beautiful pale bluish hue, creates a dreamlike landscape reminiscent of moonlight floating in the night sky. The smooth texture and transparency of the gesshakuyu glaze give the entire piece a refreshing feel, exuding a quiet charm that makes one want to admire it indefinitely. The unique patterns created by the natural flow of the glaze produce a dynamic beauty akin to a landscape painting, soothing the heart of the viewer.
The Exquisite Accent of Gold Leaf
The gold leaf applied to this sakazuki is not merely a decoration but adds a dynamic element to the piece. The luster of the gold leaf stands in contrast to the delicate tones of the gesshakuyu glaze, serving as a visual accent while maintaining overall balance. This use of gold leaf displays the decorative and aesthetic unity found in Rimpa art, imparting a noble atmosphere to the work.
Fusion of Practicality and Sculptural Beauty
The "Sakazuki Gesshakuyu Nagashi Kinsai" possesses refined sculptural beauty while also being eminently practical. When held, it fits comfortably in the hand, and its natural feel when brought to the lips is exceptional. The combination of sculptural facets, gold leaf, and gesshakuyu glaze perfectly balances visual beauty with practical functionality. The texture felt with every touch and its sculptural beauty make this sakazuki truly special.
The Aesthetic of "Kirei Sabi" and the Spirit of Tea Ceremony Culture
This work, while inheriting the tradition of Asahiyaki by Hosai Matsubayashi, offers a contemporary interpretation. It reflects the "kirei sabi" aesthetic at the core of Asahiyaki, while pursuing new beauty through a modern approach. The style, which follows the aesthetic sensibilities of Kobori Enshu, conveys the traditional Japanese aesthetics cultivated in the world of the tea ceremony to the present day.
Asahiyaki and the Historical Background of Uji
Asahiyaki is a kiln in Uji with a history spanning over 400 years, and its historical background breathes life into the "Sakazuki Gesshakuyu Nagashi Kinsai." The land of Uji once flourished as a villa retreat for aristocrats during the Heian period and appears in Murasaki Shikibu's "The Tale of Genji." Equal-in Temple stands across the Uji River, and the local clay has been used for pottery since ancient times. Asahiyaki received guidance from Kobori Enshu during the Keicho era, continuing to produce tea utensils that express Enshu's preferred "kirei sabi." This tradition is deeply ingrained in the works of Hosai Matsubayashi.
The Innovation and Fusion of Tradition by Hosai Matsubayashi XVI
Hosai Matsubayashi assumed the name Hosai, the sixteenth head of Asahiyaki, in 2016 and produces works that incorporate modern sensibility while preserving tradition. Based on traditional Asahiyaki techniques, his pieces possess a contemporary feel and are highly acclaimed worldwide. Hosai's works, which have expanded their reach internationally through exhibitions and tea ceremonies at the Leach Pottery in St Ives, UK, and the Musée Guimet in France, perfectly blend tradition and innovation. The "Sakazuki Gesshakuyu Nagashi Kinsai" is an elegant yet sculpturally beautiful work by Hosai Matsubayashi. The gold accents evoke the Rimpa aesthetic, possessing both splendor and serenity. The beautiful blue of the gesshakuyu glaze depicts a quiet, timeless landscape that enriches the user's heart. This work is a masterpiece that perfectly fuses the more than 400-year history of Asahiyaki tradition with contemporary sensibilities, allowing one to feel its profound beauty and historical background with every use.
Hosai Matsubayashi XVI
Born in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, in 1980 as the eldest son of Hosai Matsubayashi XV. He studied pottery wheel techniques at the Kyoto Prefectural Technical College for Pottery and trained under his father. In 2015, he stayed and worked at the Leach Pottery in St Ives, UK, and the following year, in 2016, he succeeded to the name Hosai Matsubayashi XVI.
Building on the Asahiyaki tradition, which has been passed down in Uji for over four hundred years since the Keicho era, and the "kirei sabi" aesthetic of tea master Kobori Enshu, he produces tea ceramics such as tea bowls, tea caddies, water jars, and flower vases. While inheriting Asahiyaki's traditional finishes of shirokaze and benikase, he has established "gesshakuyu nagashi" (moonlight-white glazed flow), a flowing pale bluish-white glaze, as his unique contemporary style. Utilizing the expression of Uji clay and precise wheel-throwing, he incorporates gold and silver decorations and new forms, presenting works that harmonize tradition and modernity.
In addition to holding solo exhibitions across Japan, he has also showcased his works overseas in cities such as London, Paris, New York, Taiwan, and Shanghai. His works are housed in the National Museum Wales. In 2020, he held a solo exhibition at the Nonaka-Hill Gallery in Los Angeles, and in 2023, he exhibited at the "Leaping Creators" exhibition at the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art. In 2026, to commemorate his tenth anniversary of succession, he held commemorative tea ceramic exhibitions at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store and Kyoto Takashimaya.
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