Kiyoharu Ichino's Tanba Japanese Pottery Show
Crossing Purple
March 7 - April 2, 2003
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Purple Dawn ...As the sun shines down on the misty earth, such was the Vision But purple Night, and crimson Morning, and Golden Day, descending... - from A Vision of Eternity by William Blake |
Tanba ceramics
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 ceramist 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 800 bundles of wood over several days of continuous firing to bring the temperature high enough to produce Tanba pottery. Firing gives personalities to Tanba clay, which is renowned for its rich texture and deep reddish brown colors with a subtle tint of purple. Our featured artist Kiyoharu Ichino gains recognition for his spectacular original works that bring out the unique beauty of this mountain clay.
Click on images to view
Call 505-988-8072 or use inquiry form for information/order
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"Ever Since the Crescent Moon" ceramic vase 8"Hx16.5"x4" Sold
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"Purple Dawn" ceramic vase 19.5"Hx11.5"x4" (Front & back views) Sold
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"Seated Woman" ceramic vase 11.5"Hx12"x 4.5" Sold
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"Ascending Grey" ceramic vase 9.5"Hx8"x7.5" (Front & back views)
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"Black Moon Rising" ceramic vase 6.5"Hx13"x4" (Front & back views) Sold
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"Gold Rust" Large ceramic bowl 9.5"H x 14.5" diameter (Three views) Sold
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"Equivalence" ceramic vase 8.5"H x 16.5"x5.5" (Two views) Sold
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"Pedernal" ceramic vase 11"H x 12"x 4.5" (Two views) Sold
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"Two Faces of Enso" ceramic vase 9.5"H x 11" diameter (Three views) Sold
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"Canyon" hanging vase 4.5"H x 16.5" x 1.5 Sold
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"Summer Night" incense burner w/ lid 4"H x 5.5" x 4" Sold
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"Passage" hanging vase 13.5"H x 2" x 1.5" Sold
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"Spring Blossoms" ceramic plate 19" x 12.5" x 2" Sold |
Kiyoharu Ichino's work
Some ceramists treat clay simply as a medium for creating objects. Kiyoharu Ichino strives to bring out the innate personalities of Tanba clay through his art. His works appear to be integral parts of the clay rather than separate objects made from it. Using a wood-fueled anagama (hole kiln) and traditional noborigama (climbing kiln), he creates one-of-a-kind pieces that quietly show off the strength, colors, textures of Tanba clay complemented by unmatched beauty of wood firing. 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.
Biography
Kiyoharu Ichino was born in 1957 in Tanba Tachikui into an extended family steeped in pottery-making tradition. When he was twenty, he moved to Seto to study pottery under a master of Akatsu-Yaki. Upon returning to Tachikui, he launched his career with the Tanba Group Kiln. In 1983, he established his own kiln and began showing in galleries all over Japan. His strong dynamic works have been selected repeatedly for the prestigious juried Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition sponsored by the Japan Crafts Association. In 1995, he was nominated to become a permanent member of The Japan Crafts Association. In 2000, Kiyoharu Ichino launched his American debut at the Touching Stone Gallery in Santa Fe. His work has been enthusiastically received in America.
Shows and Awards
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 Association
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
2002 Dark Edge of Purple, Touching Stone, New Mexico
2003 Gallery Shun, Tokyo
2003 Crossing Purple, Touching Stone, New Mexico
