Potter: Zenko Yasuda, Masahiro
Approximate size: W4.6″ by H3.2″ or 11.7 by 8.2 cm
A Kyo chawan or ceremonial tea bowl by master potter Zenko Yasuda (1926-2011), featuring his original celadonesque glaze. On this bowl the glaze fluxed to spots of pink – reminiscent of cherry blossoms all over. Overlaying the soft grey and pink colours it appears to have been fired another time which added white highlights of sorts (especially noticeable on the interior rim). Zenko Yasuda’s civilian name was Masahiro and he was born in 1926 in Kyoto. He studied at the Kyoto Craft & Fabric University where he specialized in the making and building of kilns. Afterwards he studied pottery under the 6th Kiyomizu Rokubei (1901-1980). After going independent he build a kiln called Rokushin No Kama in Kyoto.
In 1958 Zenko Yasuda was awarded the Japanese Ceramic Society Prize and ever since then was included in the Nitten and later on also served as a member of the jury. His work was acquired by Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 1964 and the Museum of Modern Art in Shiga prefecture boasts no less than 10 works in their collection.
Zenko Yasuda (1926-2011), first displayed nationally at the Nitten in 1950. He was awarded the prestigious Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1958 and his work was subsequently collected by the Metropolitan Museum of New York in 1963. Awarded at the Nitten in 1964 and then at the National Modern Crafts Exhibition in 1967, his pieces were collected by Japanese Government in 1971 (Gaimusho). A Private Exhibition of the artists work was held in San Francisco in 1978, a rarity for a Japanese artist at that time.
Kyo yaki or Kyo ware refers to a style of ceramics that spread from the Higashiyama area in Kyoto during the early Edo period of the Tokugawa rule (henceforth this family line continually ruled Japan for more than 250 years). It was around this time that the art of Chanoyu or the Tea ceremony became popular and widespread in Japan. By contrast, the pottery produced along Gojo-zaka, a street leading to Kiyomizu Temple, was called Kiyomizu yaki. Nowadays all pottery produced in Kyoto is commonly referred to as Kyo or Kiyomizu ware.
To me, works by Zenko Yasuda are somewhat like sorcery – just how his glaze influenced through his firing method(s), while at the same time showcasing a broad range of variety in its outcome is something I still can’t wrap my mind around. Zenko Yasuda created unique and distinctive stoneware using complex glazing techniques. He passed in 2011 at the age of 86. A well respected 20th century Japanese potter.
Fired on 5 distinct supports, the chawan is stamped by the potter next to the koudai or foot of the bowl. There are no chips or cracks and condition is mint. Comes with the original paulownia tomobako or storage box with the artist’s calligraphy and seal on the lid, a dedicated tomonunu or tea cloth and a informational pamphlet about the artist.
€420 320 + shipping cost
Those interested can follow this link to see an overview of award winning works at the 2001 exhibition held by the Japan Ceramic Society (Nihon Toji Kyokai). Amongst the winners were Living National Treasures, Intangible Cultural Treasures – simply some of the greatest and most famous artists including our subject potter Zenko Yasuda.
In a nutshell, Bunten and Teiten were official, state-controlled, juried art exhibitions. Nitten replaced them after the war. The meaning of these official exhibition societies for the world of Japanese arts was pretty comparable to the French Salon in the second half of the nineteenth century. The conservative Salon was the institution most hated by the French impressionists – their works were regularly rejected by the jury. And without a representation by the Salon, an artist had hardly any chance to sell anything to private collectors.
After the end of the Pacific war the attribute Imperial was no longer trendy. Everything was reorganized and renamed. In 1946 the Imperial Art Academy became The Japan Fine Arts Exhibition, abbreviated as Nitten. The Nitten developed into a larger organization that features multiple departments. Today the Nitten has five art faculties, Japanese Style Painting, Western Style Painting, Sculpture, Craft as Art and Calligraphy.
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