Potter: Tomimoto Kenkichi

Approximate size kyusu: W5.7″ W6.6″ by H6.4″ or 14.5 by 17.0 by 16.5 cm

This is a set of 6 yunomi or tea cups and a tea pot by the renowned potter and Living National Treasure Tomimoto Kenkichi (1886–1963). Tomimoto Kenkichi was an outstanding and innovative ceramic artist. He specialized in over-glaze enamels. His varied and striking designs and colours have ensured his fame as one of Japan’s leading artists of the twentieth century. Tomimoto Kenkichi was born in 1886 in the village of Ando (安堵), on the outskirts of Nara not far from the famous temple complex of Ho ̄ryu ̄ji (法隆寺), which contains the oldest wooden buildings in the world (dating from the end of the seventh century), and some of Japan’s finest ancient architectural and artistic treasures. The temple had a profound influence on Tomimoto’s development as an artist. He returned often to Ando and his house and studio with its store-houses have now been preserved as the Tomimoto Kenkichi Kinenkan memorial museum (記念館). The buildings in traditional Nara style form a small group and contain a permanent if limited display of representative articles made and decorated by the artist. Many of the finest examples of Tomimoto’s work belong to the Nara Prefectural Museum, but the museum’s exhibition halls are normally devoted to special exhibitions.

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Kenkichi Tomimoto together with Bernard Leach studied under Kenzan 6th a dynasty of master craftsmen, they were both chosen by their master to be jointly the 7th Kenzan. He briefly studied in England and on his return to Japan, he built a kiln of his own and devoted his artistic skill to porcelain making. In 1944 Kenkichi Tomimoto became a professor at Tokyo School of Fine Art and in 1950 at the renowned Kyoto City College and in 1958, its director. Towards the end of his life he received two of the highest honours, the designation as a Living National Treasure and the Order of Cultural Merit – both for his activities in porcelain making.