fulling block beating block Flower Vase by Shigeo Takemura

Width: 11.5cm Height: 22.0cm

A conversation with Shigeo Takemura and Yotaro Takemura

A fusion of beauty and stability

Shigeo Takemura's ash-glazed vase incorporates the traditional kinuta-gata shape, and is beautiful enough to be displayed as is, even without flowers. The stable shape and elegant pale green glaze create an expression that is both delicate and powerful, making it worthy of being called a modern masterpiece.

The depth of Shigeo Takemura's ash glaze

Ash glaze is an ancient traditional technique that uses ashes from burnt plants and tree branches. The color of the ash glaze varies depending on the material, and it takes a lot of effort to collect and process the materials to bring out the color. It is important to create the ash with one's own hands and bring out the individuality of the ash to the maximum.

The unique characteristics of ash that encounter nature

I often get materials from encounters with people, and I burn materials I receive from farmers and others to make ash. However, even with the same material, the color varies depending on the place of origin and the part used, and I am faced with the difficulty and depth of using natural ash.

A beautiful expression of a once-in-a-lifetime encounter

The pieces make use of the natural color of the ash glaze, and the intricately designed shapes bring out the expression of the glaze. In particular, in this piece made using cedar ash, finger marks and cracks in the glaze further accentuate the green color and transparency of the glaze. The colors and expressions brought about by the glaze are not by chance but by necessity, and the artist continues to search for the ideal shape through trial and error.

The belief behind ash-glazed works

I believe that the long process, starting with making the ash glaze, is one that I work on seriously and without cutting corners, and that the accumulation of these efforts will pay off in my work. This effortless approach to production brings out the deep individuality of the ash glaze and creates a harmony between the ash and the earth.

Shigeo Takemura, a pioneer of natural ash glazes

Shigeo Takemura is a ceramic artist who has been creating works using natural ash glaze in Yamashina, Kyoto for over 30 years. His ash glaze works use a variety of plant materials such as sunflowers, grapes, and cedars, each of which exudes a different and beautiful color. Although it takes an enormous amount of time to create, it is a joy, and a driving force behind his hopes for new encounters in the future and his desire to create. His works reflect his attitude of working with natural materials, and will make us feel the possibilities of expression that arise every time he encounters a new material.

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