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Yoshitaka Hasu |
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Contemporary Iga Ceramic Masterworks |
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July 3 - 29, 2009 |
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Yoshitaka Hasu 蓮 善隆 Located southeast of Kyoto, Iga is one of the oldest pottery centers in Japan, with a pottery tradition dating back at least 1,200 years. During the Momoyama period (1573-1600), Iga was synonymous with some of the most revered tea ceremony ware in Japan. Today, there are fewer than several dozen active potters in Iga. Even fewer are pushing the craft beyond utilitarian purposes. One of the most notable exceptions is Yoshitaka Hasu, who has taken the ancient Iga tradition to new levels. Yoshitaka Hasu was born in 1949 in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture. After earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering from National College of Technology and working for several years in development of telecommunication, he chose instead to pursue a career in ceramics. In 1975, he started an apprenticeship with ceramist Shiro Banura (1941-2001) in Iga. Banura was strongly inspired by Rozanjin (1883-1959), a famed ceramist and novelist with a discriminating taste, who advocated living with art through serving fine food with beautiful handmade utensils and decorating with flowers in exquisite vases. This philosophy, which blurs the distinction between utility and art, has been a major influence on Hasu’s work. In 1979, Hasu established his own studio in Iga, where he has been producing some of the most original and exciting work built upon the Iga tradition and this philosophy. Historically, Iga pottery was made in a style similar to Shigaraki ware produced in a neighboring district. Both share a distinctive glass-like natural ash glaze and dramatic fire marks over rough pitted clay surfaces, and Iga pottery is typically more robust. Hasu harvests his own clay from the nearby mountains, a difficult yet important step, as the clay must have the right malleability, iron contents, beautiful interaction with ash glaze, and high heat resistance (Hasu fires up to 2,480 deg. F). The harvested clay is sorted into piles and kept under straw covers to age for several years until it is ready for use. Hasu works like a sculptor. Using a technique called kurinuki, he carves out exterior forms and scoops out the interior of solid chunks of clay, paring away the unnecessary to reveal distinctive lines for which he is renowned - powerful, direct and very dynamic. His decorations are equally dramatic, a unique combination of natural ash glaze and an iron glaze, which he pours freely over the sculpted surfaces. One of Hasu's favorite forms is the toubako (ceramic box). His fascination with the toubako forms stems from his interest in merging utility and art, a philosophy inspired by his mentor. The drama and joy of opening a beautifully made toubako to reveal more unexpected beauty within becomes a powerful medium through which the artist expresses his vision. The current show features his latest body of work that epitomizes the aesthetic philosophy of this exceptional Iga artist.
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Click on images to view selected pieces To order call 505-988-8072, see Inquiry/Order |
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Vase Form No. 7 Iga fire-changed ceramic 17" x 15.5" x 15" (2 views) Sold
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Vase Form No. 23 Iga fire-changed ceramic 11" x 13" x 13" (2 views)
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Vase Form No. 24 Iga fire-changed ceramic 18.5" x 8.5" x 8.5" (2 views) Sold
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Vase Form No. 1 Iga fire-changed ceramic 11.5" x 10" x 9.5" (2 views)
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Vase Form No. 2 w/ Lid Iga fire-changed ceramic 13" x 9.5" x 9.5" (2 views) Sold
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Vase Form No. 3 Iga fire-changed ceramic 9" x 4" x 9.5" (2 views) Sold
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Vase Form No. 4 Iga fire-changed ceramic 8.5" x 8.5" x 7.5" (2 views) Sold
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Toubako No. 5 (ceramic box) Iga fire-changed ceramic 6.5" x 6.5" x 5" Sold
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Toubako No. 6 (ceramic box) Iga fire-changed ceramic 7.5" x 8" x 5.5"
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Toubako Tower No. 8 ( 7-piece stacked ceramic boxes ) Iga fire-changed ceramic 15" x 5" x 16" (2 views) Sold
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Toubako No. 9 (3-pc ceramic box) Iga fire-changed ceramic 10" x 4.5" x 8" (2 views) Sold
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Toubako No. 10 (ceramic box) Iga fire-changed ceramic 8"h x 4" x 9.5" (2 views) Sold
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Vase w/ Lid No. 11 Iga fire-changed ceramic 5.5" x 5.5" x 8.5" (2 views)
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Toubako No. 12 ( ceramic box) Iga fire-changed ceramic 11.5" x 4.5" x 5"
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Vase Form No. 13 Iga fire-changed ceramic 11" x 7" x 6" (2 views) Sold
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Vase Form No. 14 Iga fire-changed ceramic 13" x 7" x 7" (2 views)
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Vase Form No. 15 Iga fire-changed ceramic 10" x 8" x 6.5" (2 views)
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Vase Form No. 16 Iga fire-changed ceramic 10" x 8" x 9" (2 views) Sold
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Vase Form No. 17 Iga fire-changed ceramic 7.5" x 7" x 9" (2 views) Sold
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Vase Form No. 18 Iga fire-changed ceramic 10" x 8.5" x 7" (2 views) Sold
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Hanging Vase No. 19 Iga fire-changed ceramic 24.5" x 1.5" x 1.5"
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Hanging Vase No. 20 Iga fire-changed ceramic 25" x 2" x 1.5"
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Wall Plate No. 25 Iga fire-changed ceramic 11" x 10.5" x 1" (Strung for display in any orientation)
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Wall Plate No. 21 Iga fire-changed ceramic 11" x 11" x 1" (Strung for display in any orientation) Sold
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Wall Plate No. 22 Iga fire-changed ceramic 15" x 6.5" x 1" (Strung for display in any orientation) Sold
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Yoshitaka Hasu's Biography & Exhibitions
1949 Born in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture 1975 Started 4-years apprenticeship with Iga ceramist Banura Shiro 1979 Established own kiln and studio in Iga 1982 First solo exhibition, Yokohama Takashimaya Art Gallery, Yokohama 1983 Solo exhibition, Gallery Tenjin, Fukuoka 1984 Solo exhibition, Gallery Tenjin, Fukuoka 1986 Solo exhibition, Gallery Kuroda Touen, Tokyo 1987 Solo exhibition, Tokyo Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka Solo exhibition, Sun Gallery Sumie, Nagoya 1988 Solo exhibition, Tokyo Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo Solo exhibition, Yokohama Takashimaya Art Gallery, Yokohama Solo exhibition, Gallery Tenjin, Fukuoka Solo exhibition, Gallery Akiyama, Kurume 1989 Solo exhibition, Tokyo Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka 1990 Solo exhibition, Tokyo Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo Solo exhibition, Sun Gallery Sumie, Nagoya Solo exhibition, Gallery Kagura, Mie 1991 Solo exhibition, Tokyo Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka Solo exhibition, Fukuya Art Gallery, Hiroshima 1992 Solo exhibition, Tokyo Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo Solo exhibition, Sun Gallery Sumie, Nagoya 1993 Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka 1994 Solo exhibition, Tokyo Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo Solo exhibition, Gallery Hanamitsu, Osaka 1996 Solo exhibition, Tokyo Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka Solo exhibition, Sun Gallery Sumie, Nagoya 1997 Solo exhibition, Gallery Tachikichi, Kyoto Solo exhibition, Gallery Blanche, Osaka 1998 Solo exhibition, Gallery Tachikichi, Osaka Solo exhibition, Gallery Shun, Tokyo Solo exhibition, Gallery Kochuraku, Kagoshima 1999 Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka Solo exhibition, Gallery Ayame, Shizuoka Solo exhibition, Gallery Yuuan, Nara Solo exhibition, Gallery Tenjin, Fukuoka 2000 Solo exhibition, Sun Gallery Sumie, Nagoya Solo exhibition, Gallery Tousei, Kyoto Solo exhibition, Gallery Candide, Tokyo 2001 Solo exhibition, JR Nagoya Takashimaya Art Gallery, Nagoya Solo exhibition, Gallery Kochuraku, Kagoshima Solo exhibition, Gallery Aoyagi, Niigata 2002 Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka Solo exhibition, Sun Gallery Sumie, Nagoya Solo exhibition, Gallery Ayame, Shizuoka 2003 Solo exhibition, Gallery Yufuku, Tokyo Solo exhibition, Gallery Issouan, Okazaki 2004 Solo exhibition, JR Nagoya Takashimaya Art Gallery, Nagoya Solo exhibition, Gallery Junikagetsu, Fukuoka Solo exhibition, Gallery Tousei, Kyoto Solo exhibition, Gallery Nakanishi, Yokohama Solo exhibition, Gallery Kochuraku, Kagoshima 2005 Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka Solo exhibition, Sun Gallery Sumie, Nagoya Solo exhibition, Gallery Toukurou, Hyougo Solo exhibition, Gallery Touka, Fukuoka Solo exhibition, Seigendo, Sapporo 2006 Solo exhibition, Gallery Nono, Toyama Solo exhibition, Gallery Touan, Osaka Solo exhibition, Gallery Ayame, Shizuoka Solo exhibition, Gallery Tousei, Kyoto Solo exhibition, Gallery Teisokuan, Mie 2007 Solo exhibition, Gallery Kochuraku, Kagoshima Solo exhibition, Gallery Nono, Toyama Solo exhibition, Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, USA Solo exhibition, JR Nagoya Takashimaya Art gallery, Nagoya Solo exhibition, Gallery Touka, Fukuoka Solo exhibition, Gallery Hana, Ehime 2008 Solo exhibition, Gallery Nono, Toyama Solo exhibition, Gallery Hanamitu, Osaka Solo exhibition, Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, USA Solo exhibition, Gallery Natatani, Kyoto Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka 2009 Solo exhibition, Sun Gallery Sumie, Nagoya Solo exhibition, Gallery Nono, Toyama Solo exhibition, Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, USA Solo exhibition, Gallery Touka, Fukuoka Solo exhibition, Gallery Hana, Ehime Solo exhibition, Gallery Teisouann, Mie |
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