Potter: Sadatsugu Shinjyo, 14th generation

Approximate size: W 5.1″ by H 3.3″ or 13.0 by 8.5 cm

This Hagi tea bowl was made by the famous potter Sadatsugu Shinjyo (1950-). The 11th generation Sukezaemon changed the family name to Shinjyo and the name of the kiln to Kanzan, but Shinjyo Sadatsugu chose to retain his original name as the 14th descendant of the lineage. As a potter, he prefers making tea bowls and gives special attention to the interior and the atmosphere of the vessels. Creating harmonious relationships between the two in every work. Shinjyo Sadatsugu is a member of the prestigious Japanese Traditional Art Crafts Association. Among a lengthy and impressive list of awards his works have been officially purchased by the Emperor of Japan in 2002!

Shinjyo Sadatsugu is a internationally acclaimed potter and the direct heir to a lineage of Hagi potters which roots can be traced back to the 17th century. It started when the founder of the kiln, Akagawa Sukezaemon established, together with Li Shakuko (one of the patriarchs of the Hagi pottery tradition). Li Shakuko, a Korean potter was brought to Japan by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the ruler of Japan until 1598.

Although this chawan appears unassuming – upon closer inspection shows to have been expertly thrown on a wheel and later carved to form the koudai or foot. It shows the classical hallmarks and features associated with Hagi pottery. The glaze gives a warm feeling and the natural landscape that can be seen in the glaze is very good. This kind of abstract landscape is called keshiki and especially where Hagi ware is concerned it is an important factor is deciding how it will develop with time and use.

Where the early stages of the change Hagi ware go through mainly show on the interior of the bowl (darkening crackles or otherwise changes in colour or hues). Fully permeated pieces, called the seven stages of Hagi ware are a much appreciated factor for tea masters and collectors. There are pieces that have been used for hundreds of years and visually they are entirely different from their original appearance. Use is said to be the second requirement of pottery fitting the term Hagi ware; Hagi ware when its taken out of the kiln its only half way finished. With use the appearance it will grow and evolve, becoming more unique with each session or ceremony. With experience and daily use this bowl will only grow on its new owner and through tender love and care it will become one for the ages.

1975 Graduated Tokyo University of the Arts, Sculpture course
1977 Completion of Tokyo University of the Arts, Sculpture major
1978 Completion of Kyoto City Industrial Test Site, Ceramics Trainee
Received Yamaguchi prefecture Governor Prize at Yamaguchi prefecture art competition
1980 Selected for Seibu Kogei Exhibition (selected multiple times)
Selected for the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition (selected multiple times)
1981 Selected for Western Japan Traditional Pottery Exhibition
Selected for Japan ceramic Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition (selected multiple times)
1982 Winner of the Grand Prize at the Yamaguchi prefecture art competition
1983 Received an Encouragement Award and Yamaguchi prefecture governor prize at Western Japan Ceramic art exhibition
Became a regular member of Japan Kogei Association. nihon kogei-kai
Winner of the Excellent Award at Yamaguchi prefecture art competition
Made ceramic wall art for Bocho Youth Hall in Yamaguchi city
1984 Winner of the Excellent Award and Minister for International Trade and Industry Prize at Western ceramic art competition
Received an Encouragement Award at Tanabe Museum “Tea Ceremony” Formative Arts Exhibition. (selected multiple times)
Winner of the Grand prize at the Yamaguchi prefecture art competition.
1985 Received an Honorable mention award at Yamaguchi prefecture art competition
1987 Received an Encouragement Prize at First Nagato City Educational Culture and Physical Education Promotion
Received Asahi Shinbunsha Incentive award of New works of traditional Kogei at Yamaguchi branch
Received an Encouragement Prize for Yamaguchi prefecture Artistic Culture Promotion
1988 Received an Honorable mention award at Yamaguchi prefecture art competition
1990 Selected at an Exhibition of “Sado art for the future”
Received an Honorable mention award at Yamaguchi prefecture art competition
1991 Received Asahi Shinbunsha Incentive Award of New works of traditional Kogei at Yamaguchi branch
Participated in Excellent Ceramic art Exhibition of Chugoku area sponsored by Chugoku Electric
Commissioned by Yamaguchi Prefecture Social Welfare Center, Yamaguchi City to create ceramic wall art
1992 Participated Exhibition of Contemporary Ceramics of Sanyo Sanin area at East Hiroshima city museum
Received Memorial award of New works of traditional Kogei at Yamaguchi branch
1993 Received Yamaguchi NHK award of New works of traditional Kogei at Yamaguchi branch
British Museum contacts and acquires works
1994 Made ceramic wall art “Bound and Shine” for Shimonoseki Social Insurance Health Center
1995 Made ceramic wall art “Ritsu” for Ouchi Building in Hiroshima city
1996 Participated Exhibition of Contemporary Ceramics of Sanyo Sanin area
1997 Participated Exhibition of Fukawa Five ceramic potters in New York
Received Yamaguchi Shimonoseki Mayor award of New works of traditional Kogei at Yamaguchi branch
1999 Interviewed for “Yakimono Tanhou” broadcast by NHK-BS
2000 Participated in the Hagi yaki 400 Years Anniversary Exhibition in Paris
2001 Participated in the Hagi yaki 400 Years Anniversary Exhibition in Tokyo, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Hagi
Made ceramic wall art “Hana” for Sansuien in Yamaguchi city
2002 Works are purchased by Imperial Palace
Participated in the Exhibition “Artists of Furusato” at Yamaguchi prefecture museum
2005 Participated in 3rd World ceramic Biennale, international workshop in Korea
Received the Distinguished Service for Culture Award from Yamaguchi Prefecture
2008 Participated in an Exhibition “Traditional of Hagi ceramic art, Inheritance and Innovation” at Yamaguchi prefecture Hagi Urakami Museum
2009 Lectured at Keishonando Chawan Exhibition in Korea
Participated in an Exhibition of traditional Hagi ware “Hagi-clan Kilns and Tea ceremony equipments” at Mouri Museum in Hofu city
2012 Became a trustee of the Japan Kogei Association Yamaguchi Branch
2016 Became a trustee of the Japan Kogei Association
2017 Received NHK award for Yamaguchi traditional Kogei competition
2018 Received Yamaguchi Branch chief award for Yamaguchi traditional Kogei competition
Designated by the Yamaguchi prefecture as a holder of the Yamaguchi Prefecture Intangible Cultural Treasure for Hagi ware

Works by master-potter Shinjyo Sadatsugu have been collected by The Japan Foundation, Yamaguchi prefecture museum, Tanabe Museum, Sogo Museum, British Museum, Honolulu Museum, East Hiroshima Museum, Mori Museum, Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art amongst others.

Sadatsugu was born into the Hagi Kamamoto in 1950. He graduated the countries top art university, the Tokyo University of Arts sculpture division, then moved on for a stint of research at the Kyoto Industrial Ceramics Laboratory (as had Hamada Shoji and Kawai Kanjiro years before), prior to his return home. He has been exhibited at the National Japanese Crafts Exhibition (Nihon Dento Kogei Ten), and prized at the Cha-No-Yu Zo-Kei Ten (Tea Ceramics Sculptural Exhibition), West Japan Ceramics Exhibition (Nishi Nihon Togei Ten), as well as the Yamaguchi prefecture Ceramics Exhibition (Governors prize).

This bowl, sealed by the potter has no chips or cracks and condition is near mint. Comes with the original high quality shiho-san paulownia tomobako with kiln stamp and calligraphy on the side plus a pamphlet with information on the potter and family lineage. Tea bowls by this master are highly prized and prices tend to well into the thousands.

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SOLD

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