Red Glazed Flower Vase by Shigeo Takemura

Width: 18.5cm Height: 17.5cm

A conversation with Shigeo Takemura and Yotaro Takemura

Beautiful rounded shape and colors

Shigeo Takemura's "Red Spot Glazed Vase" features a soft form that gives the viewer a sense of roundness and security . At first glance it appears to be a calm white color, but in fact there is a pale pink color hidden on the surface, and the work takes on a slightly different appearance depending on the angle from which it is viewed. The color of this glaze gives the vase a subtle splendor, as if it contains a hidden beauty.

The charm of red-mottled glazes: Pale pink color born from grape ash

" Kouhanyu " is a glaze made using the ashes of grape vines pruned every year. The components in the ashes react during the firing process, resulting in a pale, elegant pink finish. Kouhanyu is characterized by the warmth and softness that is unique to natural ash glazes, and you can see that the individuality of the materials that Takemura pursues is reflected in the colors. Even with the same composition, this glaze changes in the kiln, so each piece has a unique color , which shows Takemura's deep passion for creating art.

A shape that combines presence and delicacy

The shape of the red spotted glaze vase is designed to be both stable and delicate, in order to bring out the charm of the pottery to the fullest. Softness and subtle lines are incorporated into the stable shape, maintaining a harmonious beauty as a whole. This vase combines functionality with beauty, and the streamlined form and deep color of the glaze harmonize from any angle to create an overwhelming presence.

Shigeo Takemura's passion for natural materials

Shigeo Takemura, a leading expert in natural ash glazes, has been passionate about making glazes for over 30 years. His red spotted glazes are made from grape ash, which he prunes himself and burns to ash. While this is a traditional technique, it brings new possibilities for expression to pottery in the modern era. His approach of bringing out the unique characteristics of the materials and ash to the fullest is alive in his red spotted glaze vases, which never fail to captivate the hearts of those who see them.

The painstaking process of making glazes

The process of making red spotted glaze, like other natural ash glazes, requires a lot of time and effort. Only a small amount of ash is collected from the annual pruning of grapes, and it is then washed with water, changing the water many times to remove any impurities. It is precisely because the glaze is made through such a careful process that the beauty and warmth of nature resides in the pieces, giving them a unique presence.

A brief biography of Shigeo Takemura and his inherited skills

Born in Yamashina, Kyoto Prefecture in 1953, he studied under Kimura Morinobu, a holder of the intangible cultural property designated by Kyoto Prefecture. He decided to pursue a career in pottery from high school, and after graduating from the pottery department of Kyoto Municipal Hiyoshigaoka High School, he went independent in 1980 after eight years of training and opened Dainichigama . Since then, he has continued to create works using his own unique glazes and pottery-making techniques, focusing on natural ash glazes.

Red-glazed vases as modern masterpieces

The "Red Spotted Glazed Vase" is a masterpiece of modern ceramics, highly acclaimed for its exquisite combination of natural ash glaze and the beauty of its unique shape. This piece, which combines the strength of the clay with the warmth of the glaze, is a concentrated expression of passion and a deep understanding of nature. The elegant pink color of the red spotted glaze and its changing expressions captivate the viewer, making this a masterpiece that continues to exude a unique presence.

Shigeo Takemura Biography

1953: Born in Yamashina, Kyoto Prefecture 1972: Graduated from Kyoto Municipal Hiyoshigaoka High School, Ceramic Department - Studied under Professor Kimura Morinobu 1975: First selection at the 4th Japan Crafts Association Kinki Branch Exhibition 1978: Selected for the Kyoto Prefecture Crafts and Arts Exhibition 1980: Became independent and opened Dainichi Kiln in Yamashina 1988: Selected for the 35th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 1989: Founded the Tsuchi no Ko-kai 1990: Selected for the 37th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 1996: Encouragement Award at the 25th Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition 1998: Selected for the 53rd Shinsho Crafts Association Exhibition 2001: Solo exhibition at the Kyoto Crafts and Arts Association Exhibition, Takashimaya, Kyoto 2002: Selected for the 49th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2003: Solo exhibition at Okayama Takashimaya Art Gallery 2005: Solo exhibition at Yokohama Takashimaya Art Gallery 2006: Solo exhibition at Kyoto Takashimaya Art Gallery 2007: 36th Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition, Kyoto Prefecture Board of Education Superintendent Award, Certified as a full member of the Japan Crafts Association Solo exhibition at Okayama Takashimaya Art Gallery 2008: 36th New Ceramics Exhibition by a full member of the Japan Crafts Association Ceramics Division, Japan Crafts Association Award 2009: Selected for the 56th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2010: Appointed as a judge for the 39th Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition 2014-2018: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition 2019-2020: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition 2023: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2024: Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition