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 be described as a "sculpture of earth and fire" in which modeling and firing are integrated. The scenery of the natural glaze that covers the surface has a unique expression woven by chance and necessity, and makes the viewer feel both the power and silence of nature at the same time.

Scenery of the earth depicted by natural glazes

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

Dynamic, sculptural form

The most striking feature of this natural glaze ware is the bold diagonal carved 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 it 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 pulsating with life.

A vessel that stands between nature and man

This work simultaneously contains the "beauty of the wild" that was left to develop naturally, and the "will to create" that is clearly inscribed with the artist's intention. By not striving for perfect symmetry or proportion, and instead incorporating irregularity and chance, the work exudes a mysterious charm that combines the strength of a rock with the lightness of the wind.

Vessels of appreciation and resonance

This piece of pottery, placed in a space that transcends its practical use, exudes a presence that makes it seem as if a fragment of nature has appeared in its natural state. It will naturally fit in with the alcove of a tearoom, as well as with any modern interior space, and will quietly resonate with the sensibilities of those who are there. It is truly a piece that can be enjoyed for a long time as a "pottery to be admired."

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. There is a deep respect and dialogue with the material, as if the clay of Tamba itself is speaking to you. To bring out the delicate beauty of the natural glaze to the 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 in this piece.

This "Natural Glazed Ware" is a masterpiece that has a strong presence as a modern ceramic art while inheriting the tradition of Tamba ware. Its expression gives us new discoveries every time we look at it, and its beauty of form that stands out while harmonizing with the space will surely give quiet strength to the owner's daily life.

Masashi 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, Handon no Kai, Nogawa Memorial Award. 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, Tea Ceremony Forms Exhibition, Excellence Award, Hyogo Prefecture Emerging Artist Encouragement Award. Invited to exhibit at the NHK-sponsored Paris-Japanese Ceramics Now 100 Selections, 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 Art Exhibition, solo exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
1997 Encouragement Award at the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition 1998 Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2000 Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Fukuoka 2001 Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition at Gallery Dojima 2002 Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Solo exhibition at Gallery Dojima 2003 Solo exhibition at Santa Fe Touchingston, USA 2004 Father and son exhibition at Sogo Hiroshima store Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition 2005 Exhibited at Akashi City Museum of Culture and Hyogo Ceramics Exhibition Purchased Akadobedai, Hyogo Ceramic Art Museum Solo exhibition at Gallery Dojima Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi 2006 Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Japan Society Gallery of New York Solo exhibition at Takashimaya Yokohama Touchingston, USA Father and son exhibition at Takashimaya Matsuyama 2007 Toshun-kai Exhibition, Sogo Yokohama Encouragement Award at the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2008 Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition Solo Exhibition, Yokohama Takashimaya Mitsukoshi Main Store, Santa Fe, Touchingston, USA Toshun-kai Exhibition, Funabashi Seibu Sogo Hiroshima Invited to exhibit at the Japanese Ceramics Exhibition 2009 Solo Exhibition, Gallery Dojima, Sendai Mitsukoshi 2010 Sogo Kobe Exhibited at the Musee Tomo Grand Prize Exhibition, Contemporary Tea Solo Exhibition, Yokohama Takashimaya Touchingston, USA, Santa Fe, 2011 Invited to exhibit at the Japanese Ceramics Exhibition Solo Exhibition, Joan B. Marvis, New York, USA Invited to exhibit at the Japanese Ceramics Exhibition 2013 Exhibited at the Musee Tomo "Contemporary Famous Bowls" Solo Exhibition, Mitsukoshi Main Store, Santa Fe, USA Miyazaki Gallery, Sogo Kobe Chiba Sogo 2014 Solo Exhibition Solo Exhibition, Mitsukoshi Main Store, Santa Fe, USA 2015 Received the Hyogo Prefecture Cultural Award in 2016. Exhibited at Higashihiroshima City Museum of Art for Ceramics that Color Our Lives - Food Wares. Exhibited at Joan B. Marvis' 40th Anniversary Exhibition in 2017.
Solo Exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store in 2018

A conversation with Masashi Nishibata