Natural glaze Nishidansho

Width: 27.4cm Depth: 24.8cm Height: 28.6cm

Natural glaze made by Tadashi Nishibata

- A sculptural form born from the dialogue between fire and earth

This piece, "Natural Glaze Ware" by Nishibata Tadashi, is a work that can truly be described as a "sculpture of earth and fire," created by integrating the shaping and firing processes. The natural glaze that covers the surface has a unique expression that is the result of a fusion of chance and necessity, and evokes in the viewer a sense of the power and stillness of nature at the same time.

Scenery of the earth depicted with natural glaze

The ash that naturally adhered to the surface of this piece during the long firing process has turned into a glaze, creating a complex and deep expression reminiscent of a landscape painting. In areas where the ash has accumulated thickly, the glass reflects light, exuding purple and greenish hues. Meanwhile, in areas with less glaze, the rough earth surface is exposed, creating an exquisite balance between natural and artificial forms.

Dynamic, sculptural design

The most striking feature of this natural glaze ware is the bold, diagonal cut lines that run across the entire piece, and the complex surface structure that resembles a deformed octagonal prism. The piece looks completely different depending on the angle from which it is viewed, and has the power to interact with the space like a sculpture. The roughly hand-formed form is filled with the tension and improvisation that can only be achieved by hand, and the entire piece seems to be imbued with the pulse of life.

A vessel that stands between nature and man

This work simultaneously embodies the "beauty of the wild," a natural progression, and the "will to create" that reflects the artist's clear intentions. By not striving for perfect symmetry or proportion, but instead incorporating irregularity and chance, the work exudes a mysterious allure that combines the strength of a rock with the lightness of the wind.

Vessels for appreciation and resonance

When placed in a space that transcends the bounds of practicality, this vessel exudes a presence that is almost as if it were a fragment of nature. It fits naturally into the alcove of a tea room, as well as into modern interior spaces, quietly resonating with the sensibilities of those who are there. It is truly a piece that can be enjoyed for a long time as a "vessel to be appreciated."

The craftsmanship and the voice of the soil

Nishibata Tadashi's works are not shaped on a potter's wheel, but are instead hand-formed and carved. This shows a deep respect and dialogue with the material, as if the Tamba clay itself is speaking to him. To bring out the delicate beauty of the natural glaze to its fullest, skilled intuition and experience are required to read the firing time, temperature, and even the movement of the ash. All of this is condensed into this piece.

This "natural glaze" is a masterpiece that radiates a presence as modern ceramic art while inheriting the traditions of Tamba ware. Its appearance, which offers new discoveries every time you look at it, and its beautiful form that stands out powerfully while harmonizing with the space, will surely bring quiet strength to the owner's daily life.

Tadashi Nishibata Biography

Born on February 24, 1948. Started making pottery in 1969. 1976. Hyogo Prefectural Exhibition Encouragement Award. 1986. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition for the first time. 1988. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Japan Crafts Association President's Award. 1989. Selected for the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. Nogawa Memorial Award, Handon no Kai. 1991. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Selected for the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Forms Exhibition. 1992. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Forms Exhibition. Hyogo Prefecture Emerging Artist Encouragement Award. Invited to exhibit at the NHK-sponsored Paris - 100 Contemporary Japanese Ceramics Exhibition. Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Forms Exhibition. 1993. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Solo exhibition at Sogo Hiroshima store. Kyoto Chemin. 1994. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Solo exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store. 1995. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Solo exhibition at Sogo Hiroshima store. 1996. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Awarded the Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Design Exhibition, solo exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
1997 Encouragement Award at the Tea Ceremony Design Exhibition 1998 Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Main Store Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2000 Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Main Store Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Fukuoka 2001 Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2002 Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Main Store Solo exhibition at Gallery Dojima 2003 Solo exhibition at Touchingston, USA 2004 Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Design Exhibition at Sogo Hiroshima 2005 Exhibited at the Akashi City Museum of Culture and Hyogo Ceramics Exhibition Purchase of Akadobedai, Hyogo Ceramic Art Museum Solo exhibition at Gallery Dojima, Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Main Store 2006 Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Design Exhibition Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the New York Japan Society Gallery Solo exhibition at Yokohama Takashimaya Touchingston, USA Father and Son Exhibition at Matsuyama Takashimaya Toshunkai Exhibition, Sogo Yokohama. Encouragement Award at the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in 2008. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Solo Exhibition, Yokohama Takashimaya, Mitsukoshi Nihombashi, Santa Fe, Touchingston, USA. Toshunkai Exhibition, Funabashi, Seibu, Sogo Hiroshima. Invited to the Japanese Ceramics Exhibition in 2009. Solo Exhibition, Gallery Dojima, Sendai Mitsukoshi, 2010. Sogo Kobe. Exhibited in the Musee Tomo Grand Prize Exhibition, Contemporary Tea. Solo Exhibition, Yokohama Takashimaya, Touchingston, USA. Invited to the Japanese Ceramics Exhibition. Solo Exhibition, Joan B. Marvis, New York, USA. Invited to the Japanese Ceramics Exhibition in 2013. Exhibited in the "Contemporary Famous Bowls" exhibition at the Musee Tomo, Kanmi Kikuchi Memorial. Solo Exhibition, Mitsukoshi Nihombashi, Santa Fe, Touchingston, USA. Gallery Miyazaki, Sogo Kobe, Chiba Sogo, 2014. Solo Exhibition, Mitsukoshi Nihombashi, 2015. Received the Hyogo Prefecture Cultural Award in 2016. Exhibited at Higashihiroshima City Museum of Art for "Ceramics that Color Our Lives - Food Ware" Exhibited at Joan B. Marvis' 40th Anniversary Exhibition in 2017.
2018 Solo Exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store

A conversation with Tadashi Nishibata