Potter: Masanao Kaneta, 8th generation

Approximate size: W 4.6/4.7″ by H 6.4″ or 11.8 by 16.2 cm

This is a rare opportunity to own a larger object by this renowned artist for a price not even close to the more often seen figures that range in the thousands

Masanao (1953-) likely needs no introduction, certainly one of Hagi’s best known names, he has been displayed both nationally and internationally innumerable times. Kaneta Masanao’s work is highly unique and easy to identify among most Hagi Ware. Masanao is an eighth generation potter from the city of Hagi. He has developed a distinctive style which has brought new energy and potential to the four hundred year old pottery tradition.

Kaneta Masanao (1953-) is a ceramic artist of Hagi Ware. He completed a masters course in sculpture at Tsukuba University and started making pottery under his father Sanzaemon in 1979. He succeeded to the name of the 8th Tenchozan Kiln in 2005. He produces unique ceramics using a technique called “Kurinuki” (hole), in which one digs out a sculpture or form out of a lump of clay. He won many awards and his works are stored in the Brooklyn Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Yokohama Museum of Art and many more. He has been displayed at the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten and Nihon Togei Ten among many many others.

This is a vase with a wonderful creamy appearance, the glaze has turned out pink and white during firing (called Yohen, a firing effect). Viewed from the front, this vase likens itself to the image of Mt. Fuji, one of the most often depicted scenes in Japanese arts.

Masanao’s training as a sculptural artist has led to a highly sculptural approach to his work using the distinctive Kurinuki technique of carving and scooping out forms from a solid block of clay to produce boldly-cut forms.

He starts by repeatedly throwing a lump of clay on a wooden board and then uses a wooden modeling tool to coax it into different shapes, leaving ridges and hollows which give the piece its dramatic shape. The interior is then gouged out to the required thickness and the exterior coated in glaze, resulting in pieces imbued with a strong presence which deftly showcase the true character of Hagi clay. A free spirit who expertly combines Hagi traditions with his own original creativity, Kaneta Masanao is highly regarded both by ceramic experts and pottery collectors.

This object is signed at the bottom and has no chips or cracks, in mint condition. Comes with the original high quality shiho san paulownia wooden box with kiln stamp and calligraphy on the side, a stamped tomonuno (tea-cloth), and a pamphlet with the history behind this artist.

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Following in his father’s footsteps, Kaneta Masanao started his career producing pieces on a potter’s wheel. However, in time he began to feel the constraints of the wheel and instead opted to sculpt the clay by hand in order to discover and convey its unique spirit.