山 本 雅 彦 / MASAHIKO YAMAMOTO
9th - 18th July, 2022
We are pleased to inform you that we will be having an exhibition of Masahiko Yamamoto
a potter based in Soni-village, Nara.
"psyhke"
Masahiko Yamamoto
9th - 18th July, 2022
12 AM - 7 PM
*Open every day during exhibition period.
*Mr.Yamamoto will be with us at yau. on Saturday 9th July.
Soni-village, Nara Prefecture in Japan
Yamamoto's studio is located in a scenic area surrounded by beautiful mountains,
including Mt. Yoroidake, designated as a national natural monument,
and overlooking the Soni River in the center of the village, a volcanic landscape blessed with water and greenery.
He was born and raised in Takatori Town, Nara Prefecture, and later moved to Osaka for employment.
Although he was working in apparel company at the time,
his burning desire to create turned to ceramics, and he began studying ceramics at a training school in Kyoto.
He immersed himself in the study of ceramics from early morning to late at night every day.
His actions soon yielded results, and he was assigned to work as an assistant to the ceramic artist Shin Murata.
The shapes and patterns of the ceramics by Yamamoto's hands give a folkloric impression,
while at the same time creating a mysterious look that does not specify
the past, the future, the West, the East, or any other time period or region.
The ceramics he makes is not defined by anything,
much less has any overlap with the look of the pottery his master makes.
Not trying to be someone or imitate something.
He deeply respects the techniques he learned under his master, and above all, his attitude toward ceramics,
and he finds his own personal reason and knowledge, and transforms them into a form.
He is always thinking about how much he can face the inside (attitude),
never just the outside (style), of his ceramics.
This spirit is strongly reflected in the music and related culture that have influenced Mr. Yamamoto to a great extent.
The ceramics fired in various kilns, including kerosene kilns, are unstable,
yet powerful, like a music live performance, and produce an expression that can only be created in that moment.
"psyhke"
The title of this exhibition, "psyhke" means "breath" or "respiration" in ancient Greek,
which later became "life" and then "spirit" in a deeper sense.
The shapes and patterns of the ceramics he creates,
inspired by various “life” forms, have a look that transcends time and nationality.
“Developing new ideas based on study of the past”
We hope you will enjoy the ceramics that fully reflect the “spirit” of Mr. Yamamoto.
Tsubo（ H:28cm * Φ:29cm ）
The pattern is inspired by the many fireflies dancing in the night sky of Soni-village.
Tsubo（ H:22cm * Φ:23cm ）
Teapot（ H:17cm *Including handle 25cm * W:18cm ）
Teapot（ H:16cm *Including handle 23cm * W:18cm ）
Teapot（ H:16cm *Including handle 22cm * W:18cm ）
Teapot（ H:18cm * W:22cm ）
Sake ware "Bird"（ H:12.5cm * W:16cm ）
Sake ware "Bird"（ H:12.5cm * W:16cm ）
Sake ware "Elefant"（ H:14cm * W:19cm ）
Sake ware "Elefant"（ H:14.5cm * W:13cm ）
Plate（ H:4.5cm * Φ:24cm ）
Bowl（ H:5.5cm * Φ:18cm ）
Bowl（ H:7cm * Φ:13.5cm ）
Yunomi（ H:10.5cm * Φ:6cm ）
"Dancer."（ H:9cm * Φ:5cm ）
Bowl White / Black（ H:9cm * Φ:12cm ）
Mug（ H:10cm * Φ:8.5cm *Including handle12cm ）
MASAHIKO YAMAMOTO
<Biography>
In 1981
Born in Takatori Town, Nara Prefecture.
In 2003
Entered Kyoto College of Ceramic Technology.
In 2004
Studied under ceramic artist Shin Murata.
In 2007
Returned to his hometown and started career as a ceramic artist.
In 2012
Moved studio to Gosho City, Nara Prefecture.
In 2017
Moved studio to Soni-village, Nara Prefecture.
He continues to hold exhibitions both domestically and internationally.
※Safety measures
We take safety measures to help minimise the risk of coronavirus, in line with guidance from the government.
These include:
* We ask customers to follow current government guidelines
* We keep our space periodically ventilated
* All customers are asked to wear face coverings, and to use hand sanitizer at entrance
* Customers will be asked to follow social distancing guidelines of 2 metres from the next individual
* Where social distancing cannot be maintained, we will make restrictions of entry to protect our customers
* We ask our customers to refrain from visits in case they have fever or not feeling well
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
For any inquiries with regards to the event or any other matters, please contact us at:
y a u .
TEL：+81 (0)3 6427 7939
12:00 - 19:00
Mail：yau.tokyo@gmail.com