Potter: Chiyoji Asahara
Approximate size: W5.9″ by W 3.7″ by H 8.7″ or 15.0 by 9.5 by 22.2 cm
This is a substantial glass hanaire or flower vase by celebrated artist Chiyoji Asahara. Chiyoji Asahara is a renowned Japanese glass artist and master glass-blower. He was born in Osaka prefecture and worked at Sanyu Glass from 1969 to 1979 before establishing his own workshop. He also served as a lecturer at Osaka University of Arts. Asahara has been teaching glass arts since the 1970s and his work is heavily featured in prestigious institutions like the Toyama Glass Art Museum. He has also showcased his work worldwide and performed glass-blowing demonstrations internationally, including at the 1983 Great California Glass Symposium.
This particular example features a cased, muted-amber glass body heavily decorated with a broad horizontal band of infused gold and silver leaf, known kinpaku and ginpaku respectively. This work is from his series called The Genji Monogatari or the Tale of Genji. The Genji Monogatari series is one of Chiyoji Asahara’s most celebrated and collected bodies of work. The amber tones and shimmering gold and silver leaf bands are designed to evoke the lavish, courtly romance and aesthetic elegance of the Heian period described in the classic literary epic. Foil techniques like kinpaku and ginpaku are highly desirable among collectors of Japanese art glass because of how it shimmers when exposed to direct light.
A book about his work was published in 1991 which was titled; Asahara Chiyoji glass crafts (ISBN: 4140091517).
The Heian period (794–1185) is celebrated as Japan’s “Golden Age” of classical culture. Based in the imperial court at Kyoto, the era is renowned for the flourishing of uniquely Japanese art, a vibrant aristocratic society devoted to aesthetic refinement and the development of the kana writing systems.
Written in the early 11th century by noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu, the Tale of Genji is considered the world’s first novel. It became famous for pioneering psychological depth, introducing complex, flawed character development, and offering an unparalleled, intimate look into the aristocratic romance and politics of Japan’s Heian period (794–1185).
The Tale of Genji is a classic work of Japanese literature said to have been written by the noblewoman, poet, and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu around the peak of the Heian period, in the early 11th century. It is the first novel written by a woman to have won global recognition.
Establishing “The Glass Studio” in 1979, it was the first individual artist studio in Otaru City, Hokkaido. A book about his work was published in 1991 which was titled; Asahara Chiyoji glass crafts (ISBN: 4140091517). He is one of the pioneers who developed Otaru as a city of glass. For those that enjoy whisky here’s a fun fact: Chiyoji Asahari designed and handcrafted the mouth-blown crystal decanter for the highly collectible Suntory Royal Marriage 33 year old whisky.
Asahara’s elite reputation as a master glass-blower led to premier commissions for the highest levels of Japanese society. Most notably, his hand-blown glass skills were tapped to create luxury decanters for elite, ultra-rare spirits designed for imperial celebrations and high-state gifts. Fumihito, crown prince of Japan is known to be a patron of and collects his works. He is also known to frequently attend exhibitions such as the Otaru City Museum of Art and national craft expos, where masterworks by artists like Asahara are showcased to preserve traditional Japanese techniques.
Otaru is a town on the northern island of Hokkaido and is a bit of a hot spot for glassmaking in Japan. The town was originally called Otarunai (meaning “River of Sands” in Ainu), and after the Portuguese introduced glass techniques in the 1800s it was a natural place for glassmaking to be established. This piece was made by Chiyoji Asahari who is highly respected in the field. His primary workshop is called the Glass Studio, located in Otaru.
Each year, The Corning Museum of Glass publishes a review of significant new works in glass. Its director, curators of several Museums and staff of the Architecture and Design department of The Museum of Modern Art amongst several other positions selected the objects featured in each edition. Out of no less than 397 glassmakers in eighteen countries, 100 images were selected. The 1979’s edition featured Chiyoji Asahara’s submission consisting of 2 glass tea bowls for the Tea ceremony on the first spot.
The vase has no chips or cracks and is in excellent condition. Comes complete with the original high quality paulownia tomobako, storage box with the artist’s stamp and calligraphy. An exceptionally large and luxuriously crafted vase for your consideration.
€425 + shipping cost
The calligraphy on the lid is translated as follows
- Center Characters (Title of the Piece):
- 源氏物語 (Genji Monogatari)
- Translation: “The Tale of Genji”
- Bottom Left Characters (Artist Signature):
- ちよじ (Chiyoji)
- Translation: Chiyoji (Chiyoji Asahara)
