Tsubo / Nakamura Takuo
Henko Kasane Tsubo by Nakamura Takuo
Born and raised in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Nakamura Takuo (1945-) is the second son of Ishikawa master potter Nakamura Baizan and the younger brother of contemporary artist/potter Nakamura Kimpei. He presently signs his works as "Baizan," thus taking on his father's name. He first studied under his father Baizan I in 1978, and proceeded to enter the Nagoya Industrial Technology Institute in 1982 to study glazes; after this, he went to Italy to study under Aldo Rontini. Takuo is reknowned for his gold and carved, inlaid wares, as he blends the glorious traditions of Kanazawa and Kutani with innovative and modern ideas. What is remarkable about this is that Takuo's overglazed porcelain is inlaid (using a technique called zogan) in a reddish-brown clay body. Many of his works, then, are a conglomeration of stoneware and porcelain, and this meshing of mediums are also essentially a meshing of themes. He elegantly paints and overglazes porcelain with beautiful gold colors and elaborate drawings, yet retains the earthy atmosphere of clay stoneware. His clay body can be often incised and rugged, which is a stark but harmonious contrast with the porcelain clay. This Henko Kasane Tsubo (broad shouldered, tiered jar/vase) looks like the layered clothing that samurai used to wear during the Edo Period. It is again a zogan piece, with overglazed porcelain being imbedded into the clay stoneware body. A quick glance at Takuo's works can already leave the impression that he has great imagination with form, without eschewing the importance of balance. He has an unique, traditional but posh glamor to his works, which is very fitting considering that he comes from elegantly traditional/posh Kanazawa, a cultural center of the North during the Edo Period. Recently a Nakamura Takuo mizusashi was acquired by the Metropolitan Museum -a great feat indeed, considering the small number of potters who actually have work in an institution of that calibre. This piece is 19.5cm tall, 26cm wide, 8.8cm long. Comes with a signed box and is in perfect condition. From the 13th of August to the 22nd of August, we at e-y Net will enter a short summer holiday period. Replies to inquiries may be delayed, and we humbly ask for your patience and understanding. Kampai from Mishima!
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
