ken kata

Japanese Ceramics - Soma

I'm sure you guys all know Soma ware.

If you see their tea cup and dish wares, you will know immediately. 

This is a Tea Bowl that I bought a few years ago.

A bit different from what Soma is noted for..

SOMA YAKI   link :

https://www.jcccw.org/nikkei-news/2020/6/11/soma-yaki-pottery-loved-by-Japanese-americans

From the link above :

" On March of 2011, an unprecedented disaster struck the Soma-yaki potters.

The tsunami that ensued from the magunitude-9 Great East Japan Earthquake damaged the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which was located only a few miles from Namie, and caused one of the worst meltdowns in history.

The town’s entire population of 21,000 was evacuated. As of May 2020, most of Namie, including Obori was still heavily contaminated with radiation, and access remains restricted. Before the earthquake, there were about 20-25 factories.

Unfortunately, due to the aging of potters, and financial issues in addition to the tremendous difficulties caused by the evacuation, some of them went out of business. The other half moved away from the region and got to rebuild kilns.

Today, they create tableware, decor and jewelries with new fashionable designs as well as the traditional double-wall crackleware with an image of a horse, appreciating that they can make Soma-yaki again. " 

Japanese Ceramics -Sumidagawa

I bought this pretty vase/Flask , and, I have only seen one other  like it for sale.

I also got two other rSumidagawa vases.

Those have the small men or children figurines on the other surfaces.

The Crab Theme ones are the hardest to find.

Not to be confused with the Rakuzan , Shigaraki or Suigetsu ceramic Crabs.

I will post my ceramic "Crab" collection soon. 

Nihonto - Wakizashi in Shirasaya

I got this Wakizashi awhile back. I still don't know what it is.

I got several blades that I never posted to inquire about.

Most of my blades are the " low cost" , and, not worth posting , and,

wasting the other member's time..

I just look at my swords when I feel like looking.

I have been fortunate to have 3 rooms that I can use to make my small

Japanese Museum with my collectables .

I think I got over 500 pieces of Japanese tea bowls and other ceramic pieces.

I surround myself in my collection. 

Shoji  Hamada - Shinsaku Hamada

Son of Shoji Hamada , and, along with Tatsuzo Simaoka, studied under Shoji Hamada.

Hamada Shoji - Tatsuzo Shimaoka

Two pieces of my Mashiko/Mingei Collection .  Made by Japanese Living Treasure, Tatsuzo Shimaoka.

His father was a ornamental cord braider, and, his artwork carry's on in his

"Jomon " ( cord style) pottery.

Kitaoji Rosanjin  - Joan Mirviss Lectures

I enjoy Joan Mirviss' lecture on Japanese Ceramics.

She just up-loaded two more video Lectures on Kitaoji Rosanjin and other passed Japanese Potters.

The Unknown Craftsman -Shoji Hamada,  Mashiko, Mingei and Karatsu

Another love of mine is Shoji Hamada and the Hamada Family, and, Mashiko ware and the Mingei Movement.

After my love for Seto/Mino wares and Karatsu ceramics, I enjoy Mashiko and the Hamada Family Tradition.

I have always felt the connection between Karatsu ware and Mashiko ware.

I love the brush work of the Potters.

e-shino, Oribe, e-Karatsu all have that Ink Brush Paintings that I love.

It started with Chinese ink Brush Paintings on scrolls.

From realistic to impressionistic, and, then,  catching the love of the Japanese people.

Also, from Korea, in their " Buncheong " which is short for  "  Bunchong Punch'ǒng Sagi " . 

" Gray stoneware body coated with a white slip, and decorative designs are painted on using an iron pigment., under a clear glaze with greenish tint. "

My Shoji Hamada Mizusashi ( Water Jar ) 

Phil Rogers    1951 - 2020

This December 22nd, will be one year since the passing of Phil Rogers..

One of the great potters that brought so much to the modern world of pottery.

In the sense , he brought us closer in to the world of Japanese ceramics and pottery.

Since Phil's passing, I notice that most of his videos on Japanese pottery and his visits to the Mashiko shops and the works and world of Shoji Hamada, the Hamada Family, and, the Mingei Movement were removed from the internet.

I loved watching those videos over and over.

Thank You Phil Rogers..

You will be missed....  

I did have a chance to speak to Phil, and, I bought one of Shoji Hamada's  

H133  Pressed dishes..

    " These pressed dishes, influenced by English slip ware
hump molded dishes, were a form that Hamada produced
in various glazes and patterns.
  This example carries the broken straw motif in iron brush pattern.
A very typical and immediately recognizable work by Hamada, and,
very suitable as a first Hamada Shoji in a Collection "
                                                           - PHIL ROGERS

 I received this dish from Phil Rogers about two years ago..

Dish is 5 inches across.

Shoji Hamada's "Broken Sugarcane" Brush work is well recognized in the Mashiko/Mingei world.

Japanese Tea Bowl - Mt. Fuji Tea Bowl Collection

I use to buy lots of Mt. Fuji theme Tea Bowls.

This is an old photo.

I made a larger shelves , but, I need to clear up all the

plates and other tea bowls on the floor in my Tea Bowl Room.

I got so much ceramic/pottery stuff, , I stopped buying ceramics.

Then, I can take nice photos of my display rooms.

Japanese Armor Room - High Fidelity 

I tried putting my A-9 Towers in my Armor Room as a second Audio System.

NOBSOUND TUBE  Pre Amp with replicated Marantz Model 7 internals. McIntosh  Amplifier.   Martin Logan XL-15's in the background. They sound "Plush", but, still sounds good. 

I got so much Japanese stuff in my Rooms. This is my Armor and Oribe Ceramics room. Now, the floor is full of Mizusashi Water Jars...  

Japanese Ceramics - Natural Glazed from Excavations

I have read that there are many Natural Glazed items found at the various excavation sites throughout Japan.

I was curious to see what these early ceramic pieces look like.

Many can be bought on the internet, and, the cost seem relatively low, but, it's probably because there are so abundant.

Another reason, might be, that they are not "real" artifacts.. ???

I have one medium size jar, one that seems to be an ewer, and, 4 Yamachawans, ( Mountain Tea Bowls ).. only 3 are shown.

Japanese Ceramics - Flight from Seto Mountain

Of all the Japanese ceramic pieces I like/buy, I love Seto/Mino .

I try to read and watch everything about the history and items made, especially the early periods of development.

There are so many aspects and details, and, to find and gather all the facts to establish what really did happen and how things came to be.

One is the "MOMOYAMA ' period Tea Bowls that look similar  the Edo period Ao Oribe Tea Bowls. 

I believe many ceramic enthusiast are fascinated by these "Less than perfect" bowls, and, like Koto Blades, no one seems to know how they were made or came to be what they are/look like. 

These early bowls have several " factors " that can have their own discussions in it's self.

One period that  I want to learn more from is "What exactly happen and what changes, or, exchanges ( between the Seto and Mino Potters) took place during that time.

It is : 

" Flight from Seto Mountain " and "Summons to the Kilns "

" During the Warring States period many potters fled Seto for Mino in order to escape the war, as the term "Seto-yama-risan (Flight from Seto mountain)" suggests, where they received protection under the policies of Oda Nobunaga. Bowls and decorative plates with the distinctive style of Seto ware, Oribe, Shino and Ki-seto have been discovered in the remains of Mino's kilns from this period. 
Upon entering the Edo period, the potters who had left Seto as part of the "Seto-yama-risan" returned to Seto region once again. The Owari branch of the Tokugawa family summoned the potters back to Seto as part of the so-called "Kamadoya-yobimodoshi (Summons to the kilns)", and the Seto area flourished once more.  "
 

I forgot  what book or website I got this Quote from... 

Added :  This is the website for that paragraph above :

https://Japanese-ceramics.com/seto-ware/

Stuff I Made - Malachite, Amboyna Burl, Pink Ivory

Cue collector's cues, that I was fortunate to make their "Joint Protectors " . Crown Cue Caps. 

" It's easier to be the first guy, than the second guy trying to copy the first guy "   Alton Takata - Cue Caps  

Malachite  " WINGS II " , by great CNC Cuemaker Thomas Wayne.

Silver Wire inlaying. 

8 Point Ebony/ Amboyna Burl Cue by the Hall of Fame cuemaker Bill Schick.  Bill uses a Pantograph for his inlay work. No CNC involved.  

Awesome/Pretty Cue - African Pink Ivory Wood cue by Keith Josey. I read, at one time, only Kings could posses this wood. Penalty for others was death. 

Semi Precious Stones - Sugitite , Light Denum Lapis, Charoite

Fleur de lis ,  Sugilite and Light Blue/Denim Lapis 

Sugilite  was first discovered in 1944 by a Japanese petrologist named Ken-ichi Sugi, which is where it gets its unique name.

Sugilite and Light Blue Lapis 

Charoite and Light Blue/Denim Lapis by the great Tad Kohara

" I don't make the Cues,

I just help make the Cues look better" - Alton Takata