March 02 Show

Kiyoharu Ichino Edge of Purple March 8 - April 3, 2002
See more of this artist's work: 2002 show, 2006 show, 2008 show, 2010 show

Kiyoharu Ichino 市野清治 Nestled in a beautiful valley along the Shitodani River among towering mountains northwest of Kyoto is the picturesque village Tachikui, the historic center of Tanba pottery. The rich ferrous soil in this area has supported generations of farmers and artisans since the early Kamakura period (1180-1230). The oldest existing nobori-gama (climbing kiln) in Japan is found here. This serene unpretentious locale is home of some of the most beautiful ceramics that have influenced aesthetic development in Japan and the western world. Famed British ceramic artist Bernard Leach was a frequent guest in this village. Today, many ceramists continue the long pottery tradition in this valley. Traditional Tanba pottery is fired unglazed at very high temperature in large wood-fueled kilns. It takes days of continuous firing and hundreds of bundles of wood to produce Tanba pottery. Firing gives personalities to Tanba clay, which is renowned for its rich texture and deep reddish brown colors tinted with a subtle shade of purple. Our featured artist Kiyoharu Ichino gains national recognition by creating highly original works that bring out the unique beauty of this clay in award-winning innovative forms. Ichino believes that clay is not simply an innert material for making utensils and sculptures. Rather, clay has intrinsic beauty and unique personalities, and the artist must understand those qualities and bring them out through his creations. Ichino's works appear to be integral parts of the clay rather than separate objects made from it. Using a traditional wood-fueled anagama (hole kiln), he creates one-of-a-kind pieces that quietly show off the unique colors and textures of Tanba clay. To emphasize this aesthetic concept, his works often bear trademark "wounds" on meticulously sculpted surfaces to expose the clay body. As in life, beauty often lies deep beneath the surface. It shines through only when one looks past superficial imperfections.
Click on images to view selected pieces Inquiry/order: director@touchingstone.com

"Edge of Purple" - ceramic vase #3 12"x11"x7" (2 views) Sold

"Trillium" - Ceramic vase #5 12"x9"x9" (Two views) Sold

"Convergence" - ceramic vase #4 8.5"x16"x4" Sold	"Flatiron" - ceramic vase #6 7.5"x11.5"x 4" Sold

"Undulation" - ceramic vase #1 6.5"x14.5"x4.5" (Two views) Sold

"Silver Mist" - ceramic vase #8 9.5"x4.5"x4.5" (Two views) Sold	"Spirit of Ancient Tanba" - ceramic vase #9 9"x5"x5" Sold

"Square Bowl" - ceramic bowl #2 4.75"x10"x10" Sold	"Moss in Rusty Bowl" - ceramic bowl #12 3.75"x8.75"x7.5" Sold

"Inclination" - ceramic vase #11 10"x4.75"x4.5"	"Emergence" - ceramic vase #7 5"x5.5"x5.25" Sold

Mentori incense-burner with lid #16 5"x6.25"x5.75" Sold	Round incense-burner with lid #17 5.5"x4"x4" Sold

"Oooh" - ceramic vase #14 5.5" x5.5" x5.5" Sold	"Moonstone" - ceramic plate #15 1.5"x10"x10" Sold

"Hisago (Gourd)" - ceramic hanging vase #20 7"x3.75"x3.75" Sold	Ceramic vase/tottkuri #18 6"x3.5"x3.5" Sold

Ceramic hanging vase #19 8.25"x3.25"x3.25"	Ceramic hanging vase #21 8" x2.25" x2.25" Sold
Exhibitions 1984 Hyogo Prefectural Arts and Crafts Exhibition 1986 All Kansai Art Exhibition 1987 Hyogo Prefectural Arts and Crafts Exhibition 1989 Cha-no-yu Show in the Tanabe Museum 1990 Japan Crafts Association Kinki Branch Exhibition 1991 Hyogo Prefectural Arts and Crafts Exhibition 1992 Hyogo Prefectural Arts and Crafts Exhibition 1992 Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 1992 Solo show, Gallery Osaka Hanshin, Osaka 1993 Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 1993 Recognition Award, Saga Daikakuji Flower and Ceramics Exhibition 1994 Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 1995 Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 1995 Nominated as permanent member of The Japan Crafts As- sociation 1996 Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 1997 Solo show, Gallery Kobe Daimaru, Kobe 1997 Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 1998 Solo show, Gallery Tokyu, Tokyo 1998 Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 1998 Solo show, Gallery Kobe Daimaru, Kobe 1999 Solo show, Gallery Osaka Daimaru, Osaka 1999 Solo show, Gallery Shun, Tokyo 2000 Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2000 Two Visions in Contemporary Tanba Pottery, Touching Stone, New Mexico 2001 Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2001 Solo show, Gallery Osaka Daimaru, Osaka

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