Cinnabar Vase by Shin Fujihira

Width 7cm x 7cm Height 20cm

A conversation with Mr. Yasushi Fujihira

Shin Fujihira's "Cinnabar Vase" is more than just a simple vessel; it is a work of art that exudes narrative quality and poetic beauty. Though small, this vase has an overwhelming presence, and the artist's originality and sensibility are fully poured into its shape and the colors of the glaze. It gives the viewer a fantastical impression, reminiscent of a scene from a fairy tale, and its warmth and gentleness envelop the heart; it is truly a masterpiece that embodies "beauty like a lyric poem."

Pale blue cinnabar glaze creates a fantastical world

The greatest feature of this piece is the pale blue color produced by Fujihira's unique cinnabar glaze. Usually, cinnabar glazes are predominantly bright red, but this vase is enveloped entirely in a soft bluish hue. This blue color changes subtly depending on the way the light hits it and the angle, sometimes appearing to emerge with a translucent quality. The result is a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere, as if seen in a dream, that leaves a deep impression on the viewer's mind. Fujihira's skilled technique and deep understanding of glazes were essential to the selection and realization of this color. And above all, it is the fruition of his artistic sensibility.

The pale blue cinnabar glaze is not merely decorative, but lends a narrative quality to the entire piece. The poetic sentiment of the small vessel, woven with the soft blue, creates a scene that seems to have been taken from a fairy tale, or to evoke a memory long forgotten. The unique atmosphere that this vase exudes speaks to the profound sensibility of Shin Fujihira as a "poet of ceramics."

Narrative and lyricism condensed into a small vessel

Although the "Cinnabar Vase" is modest in size, it is packed with a rich narrative. Its small size makes it seem as if a part of nature has been cut out and confined within it. When you hold this vase in your hand, the warmth and gentleness you feel the moment you touch it highlights the poetic expression that resides in the vessel itself.

Furthermore, the form of the vase itself is designed to evoke a sense of story. When a flower is placed in the vase, a dialogue is created between the small vessel and the flower, giving the impression that the flower is quietly speaking to it. This ability to build a deep relationship between the user and the piece is symbolic of how Fujihira breathes life into his work.

A gentle and poetic form

The shape of this vase is filled with a gentleness that soothes the hearts of those who see it. The soft form, created by hand-twisting, does not pursue perfect symmetry but respects natural fluctuations and organic shapes. This gives the viewer or handler a sense of gentle familiarity. Of particular note is the inclusiveness of the form. This small vessel seems to be filled with many emotions and landscapes, because Tohei was conscious of expressing a poetic scene rather than simply creating a vessel. The "inclusive gentleness" embodied in this vase is not something that other artists can easily imitate.

A free and creative spirit

Shin Fujihira's work is always natural yet imbued with a unique spirit. He rarely uses the potter's wheel, instead utilizing techniques such as hand-twisting and tatara molding. His works bring out the natural beauty of the materials while seeking new forms of expression that astound viewers. His playful and sophisticated style is also evident. For example, the unique colors of his glazes and organic shapes not only pursue artistic value but also inspire smiles and emotions in both the user and viewer. This playfulness is an important element in expressing a poetic world within ceramics. This small piece embodies a powerful narrative and lyricism. Its pale blue cinnabar glaze, gentle form, and overwhelming presence are the culmination of Shin Fujihira's ceramic philosophy and sensibility. Looking at this vase, one can sense the state of mind he has pursued as a "poet of ceramics." This piece transcends the ordinary vessel of a single flower vase and becomes a work of art that decorates the space and stirs the viewer's sensibilities, and is sure to continue to shine as a masterpiece of contemporary ceramics.

Shin Fujihira's biography
1944 Entered Kyoto Higher Technical School but dropped out due to illness
1945 Started pottery making at Fujihira Ceramic Arts
1957 Received the Hokuto Prize at the 13th Nitten Exhibition
1960 Florence International Ceramic Exhibition, Italy
1963 Received the Chrysanthemum Award at the 6th Shin-Nichi Exhibition and the Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Merit Award
1968 New Generation Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition: The Present of Ceramic Art - From Kyoto
1970 Contemporary Ceramics Europe and Japan Exhibition
1973 Received the Japan Ceramic Society Award
1974 Latin America traveling exhibition
1976 East German Touring Exhibition of Japanese Ceramics
1978 Traveling Exhibition of Japanese Ceramics in West Germany
1982 US/Canada traveling exhibition
1983 Contemporary Japanese Crafts Exhibition
1985: Perspectives on Contemporary Japanese Art
1990 Kyoto Art and Culture Award
1991 Kyoto City Cultural Merit Award

"This is a new, unused piece. It is currently stored at the Shin Fujihira Memorial Museum. When you purchase it, his son, Yasushi Fujihira, will create a box to certify that it is an authentic piece."