Jar / Mashiko / Mashiko / Murata Gen
Mashiko Faceted Jar by Murata Gen
Murata Gen(1904-1988) was one of the greatest Mingei potters of the 20th century. His pots have all that is good in Mingei. Born in Ishikawa prefecture, Murata Gen wanted to become a painter, yet upon seeing Living National Treasure Hamada Shoji's works at an exhibition in Nihonbashi Takashimaya, Murata was inspired to take up pottery and to pursue Mingei ideals. Murata moved to Mashiko from Tokyo in the hope of finding the means to sustain his family during World War II, a time when food and resources were extremely scarce. He went straight to Hamada and asked if he could become an apprentice; Hamada, impressed by his determination, soon agreed. Murata was already 40 at the time. After his apprenticeship, Murata blossomed into a true Mashiko/Mingei potter in art and lifestyle, and persevered through poverty and hardship to produce truly profound work. More about his life can be read in Robert's article for DARUMA magazine, issue 32 or see a slide show at e-yakimono.net of Murata's major retrospective exhibition at the Mashiko Ceramic Art Museum. This is a strong faceted museum quality paddled textured jar with a nuka and iron glazes; it has great strength and character. In perfect condition with a signed box, 21.5cm.tallx18, stamped 'mu' on base. An exhibition sticker remains on one side.
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