A beautiful white incense burner by Shigeo Takemura

Width: 6cm x 12.5cm Height: 13.5cm

A conversation with Shigeo Takemura and Yotaro Takemura

Ash glaze gives warmth and presence

Shigeo Takemura's "Ash Glazed Incense Burner" is completely enveloped in a thick white glaze, creating a harmony between soft warmth and the strength of nature. The texture and rich colors of the glaze blend with the powerful expression of the clay, creating a profound beauty. The work exudes the warmth unique to ash glaze, and the heavy presence of handmade pottery draws the viewer's attention.

Artistic balance created by a unique shape

The shape of this incense burner has a unique design that gives it a stable base, yet a sense of playfulness. This incense burner brings out the warmth of the pottery, combining a stable base with beautiful glazes, making it an item that will decorate any space just by its presence, even without any accessories. The delicate curves and beautiful balance of the shape create both a sense of visual stability and movement that draws the eye.

Unique colors created by natural glazes

The pieces are made using ashes from plants such as cedar, grapes, and sunflowers, and each plant's ashes creates a different look for each piece. This brings out the depth of the colors in the glaze and creates a warm, natural beauty.

The glaze-making process that faces nature

Takemura has been making glazes from natural ash for over 30 years. The glaze-making process is extremely time-consuming and laborious, as it involves burning plants outdoors to collect ash, dissolving it in water, and removing impurities. Only a small amount of ash can be obtained from several truckloads of plants, and this is then further processed carefully to create the ash glaze. This process of making glazes that comes face to face with nature supports the warmth and unique presence imbued in his works.

History and passion of pottery

Born in Yamashina, Kyoto Prefecture in 1953 , Takemura Shigeo decided to pursue a career in pottery during his high school years. After graduating from the pottery department of Kyoto Municipal Hiyoshigaoka High School, he studied under Kimura Morinobu, a holder of an intangible cultural property designated by Kyoto Prefecture, and began his training in pottery at the age of 18. After eight years of study, he went independent and opened Dainichi Kiln in 1980, where he devoted himself to creating his own works. Takemura respects the fundamentals of pottery, while creating works that bring out the individuality of each individual to the fullest.

A modern masterpiece with an overwhelming presence

Shigeo Takemura's "Ash Glazed Incense Burner" is a work that perfectly harmonizes the strength of nature with the delicacy of the glaze, and can truly be called a modern masterpiece. The overwhelming presence brought about by the beauty of its shape and the depth of its color exudes a unique charm that combines tradition and innovation. This incense burner, which combines the strength of the earth with the warmth of the glaze, is a masterpiece that crystallizes passion and technique, and can be said to be an exceptional piece that makes the most of the charm of pottery.

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