Potter: Nishikawa Minoru
Approximate size: W4.9″ by 5.0″ by H3.0″ or 12.7 by 12.6 by 7.7 cm
This well-shaped Ido tenmoku oil-spot chawan or ceremonial tea bowl was made by famous Kyoto potter Nishikawa Minoru (1929-). Well known and highly regarded for his tenmoku tea utensils. This chawan shows the appeal of his work. The glaze on this chawan is characteristic of his work and recognizable as such. This chawan was thrown on the wheel and shaped to what is known as ‘Ido’ shape (the origins of which lie in Korea), and is finished with one of this potter’s signature tenmoku. It is shaped precisely and holding it in your hands it is somewhat petite but very much in line with old tenmoku shaped works.
This particular example gives the user some insight in what happens during the firing and how the constituents of a glaze undergo a sort of transformation throughout this step. Transformation through fire. On the exterior there are three areas of red streams fluxing out of the blue. The interior also has these spots where the temperature during firing hit (most likely), the highest temperatures, to make the glaze react more strongly in those areas.
Minoru Nishikawa’s firstborn son, Masaru Nishikawa (1962-), followed in his fathers footsteps and became a potter as well. His work has been frequently exhibited and like his father, has been selected at the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition and the great Nitten Exhibition.
During 1946 Minoru Nishikawa graduated from Kyoto Institute of Technology. He changed his path and started an apprenticeship under Kusubu Yatai. After this he further studied with the famous artist Mitsuo Kano. He build a kiln in 1950 called Fukakusa-gama or Fukakusa kiln and a second in the Fushimi ward of Kyoto in 1970. After going independent he submitted his work at the Nitten and was awarded the Prime Ministers prize. He further exhibited and admitted works at the Asahi Togeiten Ceramics Exhibition, Shinkogei Ten National New Crafts Fair and others. In 1995 he received the Order of Culture from Kyoto Prefecture and his works are held in the Harvard Art Museum and have seen action at most, if not all of the famous auction-houses.
He has been awarded the Nitten Special Prize and the Hokuto Prize, the Kikka Prize and served a member of the jury. Won the famous Blue Ribbon award at the Nitten in 1964 and was awarded with the first prize at the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition. Received a member prize of the Modern Craft Exhibition and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Prize. Awarded the Tokyo Governor’s Prize at the Japan New Craft Exhibition and served as a board member of the Nisshin Kogyo Association. Judged at the Kyoto Exhibition, the Osaka Prefecture’s Exhibition, the Kansai Soobi Exhibition and the Japan New Craft Exhibition. Has held numerous solo exhibitions, including coveted places like Osaka Daimaru and the Ginza Wako department-store. And to top it off his work has been officially purchased by the National Museum of Modern Art.
The chawan, sealed by the potter has no chips or cracks and is in excellent condition. Comes with the original high quality shiho san paulownia tomobako or storage box with kiln stamp, calligraphy on the lid and a dedicated tomonuno or tea-cloth.
€350 300 + shipping cost
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