Tokkuri-Sake Flask-Vase / Hagi / Hagi / Kaneta Masanao
Hagi Tokkuri by Kaneta Masanao/Previews
Here is a recently-fired Hagi tokkuri flask by Kaneta Masanao (b.1953). One of the most influential Hagi 'potters' today, Kaneta is an 8th-generation Hagi artist; in a nutshell, he has given the traditional Hagi tea world a very sculptural feel with his kurinuki carved out method and boldly-cut forms. Some are mountainous cuts in creamy white glazes, while other pieces are more rounded Chojiro-esque (the founder of Raku) with a mottled blue ash glaze. He also gets a wonderful pink "yohen" kiln effect that contrasts well with the white Hagi glaze. Whatever Kaneta does is a grand statement in clay, no matter the size, and has truly given the Hagi Tea world a whole new feel. He has been in many museum exhibitions here in Japan, including the 400-year Hagi retrospective at the Suntory Museum and also a major group exhibition at the Ibaraki Prefecture Ceramic Art Museum--the list goes on. So does Kaneta's works in public collections including the National Museum of Modern Art. Tokyo, Yamaguchi Prefecture Museum, Gifu Modern Ceramics Museum, and the Brooklyn Museum, among others. More about Kaneta can be read on e-yakimono.net or in past issues of CERAMIC ARTS AND PERCEPTION or DARUMA. This tokkuri changes with each turn and the long narrow neck with its small inner opening makes for a delightful pour indeed. In perfect condition with a signed box, 15.5cm.tall, signed on base.