Ceramic lacquer vase by Syoudai Ichino

"Ceramic lacquer vase by Masahiro Ichino"

Height: 21.6 cm Width: 11.0 cm

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I. Overview of the Work: The contrast between motion and stillness depicted in ceramic lacquerware

This is a ceramic lacquerware vase made by Ichino Masahiro, a talented artist from Tamba Tachikui. The neat egg-shaped form is symmetrical, with the deep black and red clay bases blending at a gentle boundary, creating a unique landscape that combines tranquility and dynamism. This masterpiece beautifully embodies the contradictory beauty of the two great traditional Japanese materials, "solid yet light," woven together by the solidity of the ceramic base and the luster of the lacquer.

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II. Shape and color: The beauty of space revealed by jet black and red clay

Jet black section : The lacquer layer covering the upper half is made by layering transparent lacquer and raw lacquer six times, giving it a glossy finish close to that of a mirror. The gloss reflects the light source, and when you pick it up, it glides smoothly over your fingertips, providing an uplifting sensation both visually and tactilely.

Vermilion clay section : The lower half of the vase is intentionally left exposed, with the reddish iron clay characteristic of Tanba, preserving the roughness and breathing of the base material. The boundary with the jet black section is not a sharp straight line, but a gently undulating shape like the ridge of a mountain, creating a quiet movement and giving rhythm to the entire vase.

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III. Explanation of techniques: The intricate process of fusing ceramics and lacquer

molding

The body is turned on a traditional left-handed kick wheel, and the rim is slightly curved outward to provide a good flower placement.

Unglazed and Honyaki

After bisque firing at about 900℃, the temperature is raised to 1,300℃ in a climbing kiln and fired in a slightly reducing atmosphere, strengthening the clay body while ensuring the red clay color.

Lacquer base treatment

The upper part of the body is sealed and primed several times with abrasive powder and raw lacquer to improve adhesion between the base material and the lacquer.

Lacquer painting and polishing

After each coat of transparent lacquer, intermediate coat, and top coat, the lacquer is polished with charcoal to precisely control the gloss.

Freshly planted and dried

The piece is slowly dried in a room while controlling the temperature and humidity, and then given a final polish to give it a mirror finish.

It is rare for an artist to have a thorough understanding of the procedures for both pottery and lacquerware and to be able to complete a project in one stop, which speaks to Ichino Masahiro's high level of overall craftsmanship.

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Ⅳ． The Ennengama philosophy: Entrusting "prolonging beauty" to clay and lacquer

Ennengama is founded on the words "Biien-nen" (prolonging one's life) given to us by the head priest of Shoren-in Temple in Kyoto - "the love of beauty extends one's life." We aim to reflect the spirituality that lives in "beauty of utility" in our works. This work also contains the prayer for "prolonging one's life" that will stay with those who see and use it for a long time.

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Ⅴ. Masahiro Ichino’s biography

Born in Tanba Sasayama, Hyogo Prefecture in 1993. The third generation of the Ichino family, a Tanba ware pottery manufacturer.

Graduated from the Ceramics Course of the Department of Crafts at Osaka University of Arts in 2015.

Established Ennengama in 2016. Launched an innovative series centered on ceramic lacquerware.

Selected for the Crafts category at the 2019 Hyogo Prefectural Exhibition.

In 2023, he held a solo exhibition titled "New Frontiers in Ceramics and Lacquer." It received high praise from curators both in Japan and abroad.

While maintaining a firm belief in tradition, he is also actively exploring the fusion of different materials such as lacquer, metal, and glass, and is gaining attention as a pioneer who is pioneering new horizons for Tamba Tachikui ware.

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Ⅵ. Use and Appreciation - Stories that reside in flowers and spaces

As a flower vase : The opening is just the right size to hold a single flower or an arrangement of branches. The vermilion clay base brings out the green of the flowers, and the jet black part embraces the shadows, adding to the three-dimensional effect.

As an interior decoration : It is the perfect accent piece for modern spaces, regardless of whether they are Japanese or Western. When a spotlight is shone on it, the lacquered surface reflects the light like a mirror, capturing the colors of the surroundings.

Changes over time : The lacquer will become more transparent and lustrous over time, and the red clay will take on astringency from the oils of hands and the environment. You can enjoy this piece for a long time as it grows with you.

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VII. Collection value: The rarity of a "one-of-a-kind" item

Large ceramic lacquerware vases are difficult to produce and maintain, and their distribution on the market is extremely limited. This work, which is considered a representative work from the artist's early years, could become an important benchmark for tracing the artist's history in the future. It is a highly valuable piece not only for museums and galleries, but also for private collections.

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Conclusion

The "Ceramic Lacquer Vase by Ichino Masahiro" is a unique work of art that combines the red clay of Tamba Tachikui with the deep luster of Japanese lacquer art. The moment you place the flowers in it, or when you happen to look at it, the scenery reflected in the jet black and the warmth of the red clay resonate, elevating your everyday space to an exceptional stage. Please take it into your hands and enjoy the texture that deepens with age and the spirit of "beauty and longevity."