島 岡 桂 / KEI SHIMAOKA
4 - 12 December, 2021
For the first time in two years,
we are pleased to inform you that we will be having an exhibition of Kei Shimaoka,
a potter based in Mashiko, Tochigi.
Kei Shimaoka
4th - 12th December 2021
12 AM - 7 PM
*He will be with us at yau. on Saturday 4th December.
‘Joumon zougan’ (縄文象嵌)
--- It is a technique passed down from the late mingei pottery master Mr Tatsuzo Shimaoka to Kei Shimaoka.
By using a Kumihimo (組紐, a plaited cord made with the use of Japanese traditional, specialized looms) he makes patterns on the surface of pottery,
then applies slip to those decorative indentations.
Kei has elevated this sophisticated technique to a unique style for his creation.
“Joumon Zougan -- 縄文象嵌”
A technique using several cords.
The word ‘Joumon’ literally means ‘patterns of rope’ and ‘Zougan’ is a damascene technique.
Mingei pottery Joumon Zougan is a style of pottery that involves using silk rope to make impressions in the wet clay and filling the patterns with white slips of clay,
which creates clear contrast with the black colour of the buisque.
Tatsuzo Shimaoka was born to Yonekichi Shimaoka, who was the fourth generation artisan of Kumihimo (組紐).
Tatsuzo later began to develop the technique to make patterns on his potteries using his father’s Kumihimo.
He then handed down the technique to his apprenticeship Kei Shimaoka, who modified the process to create some of his iconic patterns such as swirl patterns.
In 1996, the grandfather of Kei Shimaoka, Tatsuzo Shimaoka was certified as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property in the category of Mingei Ceramics,
with his technique of Joumon Zougan (縄文象嵌).
(Living National Treasure in Japan)
Having grown up beside the legendary grandfather, Kei Shimaoka decided to follow the same path and became an apprentice of Tatsuzo Shimaoka.
In the ascetic life, he learnt the process from one of the potters for a year,
then he practised the technique earnestly under his grandfather for another six years.
″Mingei theory -- 民藝″
The philosophical pillar of mingei is
"hand-crafted art of ordinary people" (民衆的工芸, minshū-Teki kōgei).
Yanagi Sōetsu discovered beauty in everyday ordinary and utilitarian objects created by nameless and unknown craftsmen.
According to Yanagi, utilitarian objects made by the common people are "beyond beauty and ugliness".
“Joumon Zougan -- 縄文象嵌”
‘Zougan’ is a damascene technique.
A pattern seen on ancient earthenware —‘Joumon’, and ‘Mishimade’ — a technique which came from Korea, are linked together.
Tatsuzo Shimaoka created this unique process, then thoroughly handed down the technique to Kei Shimaoka.
Now Kei Shimaoka is weaving a history of spirit and attitudes.
The objects that bring inspiration to Kei Shimaoka.
With the underlying traditional technique, he conveys the ‘Mingei’ spirit to his creation in modern times, reflecting the philosophy of his theory of shapes and colours.
In December 2021,
his potteries will come to yau. from the historical, and beautiful city Mashiko.
角窯 窯変縄文象嵌壷 "梅瓶"
灰釉縄文象嵌壷 "梅瓶・瑠璃"
角窯 白釉縄文象嵌壷 "梅瓶・インディゴ"
白釉縄文象嵌筥 "アメ"
白釉縄文象嵌ダイヤ型扁壷 小
彫絵皿 "6寸・インディゴ"
白釉縄文象嵌小鉢 "インディゴ"
島岡 桂 / KEI SHIMAOKA
<Biography>
In 1978
Born in Mashiko, as a second son to a Japanese painter, Hitoshi Fudeya and a glass artist Yoshiko Fudeya.
In 1997
After graduation from the Ceramics Industrial Technology Centre of Tochigi prefecture,
he began his apprenticeship with his grandfather, Tatsuzo Shimaoka, and got trained for six years.
In 2007
Succeeded the ‘Shimaoka Pottery’.
In 2011
Donated some of his works to Tokyo Tech Museum and Archives.
(窯変縄文象嵌壷, 灰被縄文象嵌扁壷, 塩釉縄文象嵌皿)
In 2015
Workshop at Mt. Hood Community College in Oregon, United States.
He demonstrated the technique of Joumon Zougan.
Exhibition ‘Kizuna — 絆 (bonds)’, at Portland Japanese Garden, in Oregon, United States.
He continues to hold exhibitions both domestically and internationally.
@sayadik_1978
Courtesy of Kei Shimaoka and his family,
we will be showcasing some potteries made by his predecessor Mr Tatsuzo Shimaoka, who became the second Living National Treasure in Japan in 1996.
塩釉縄文象嵌壷
窯変縄文象嵌壷
象嵌赤絵草花文湯呑 大
地釉縄文象嵌飯碗 大
象嵌赤絵草花文方壷 中細
象嵌赤絵草花文ぐい呑
象嵌赤絵草花文皿 7寸
象嵌赤絵草花文皿 7寸
島岡 達三 / TATSUZO SHIMAOKA
<Biography>
In 1919
Born near Ikebukuro in Tokyo.
Tatsuzo studied under Shoji Hamada, the first Living National Treasure in Japan,
who was a philosopher and founder of the 'Mingei' (folk art) movement in Japan, had a significant influence on studio pottery of the twentieth century.
In 1953
Tatsuzo founded ‘Shimaoka Pottery’ in Mashiko.
In 1962
Received the Japanese Folk Art Museum Award.
He held many exhibitions not only in Japan but also several countries such as Canada, the United States, England, and Germany to spread the spirit of ‘Mingei’.
In 1982
He was accredited as the Person of Cultural Merit in Japan.
In 1994
He won a gold award at Japan Ceramic Association.
In 1996
He was certified as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property in the category of Mingei Ceramics,
with his technique of Joumon Zougan (縄文象嵌).
(Living National Treasure in Japan)
In 1999
He received the award of Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
In 2007
He collapsed and died several weeks later at the age of 88.
＜Museum artefacts＞
- Japan -
The Japan Folk Crafts Museum
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
Tochigi Prefectural Museum of Fine Arts
Hachinohe Art Museum
- Germany -
Museum fur Kunst und Gewerbe
Düsseldorf Hetjens Museum
Deutsches Museum
Lenbachhaus Museum
Kunsthalle Mannheim
- England -
Victoria and Albert Museum
The British Museum
- Canada -
Royal Ontario Museum
- United States - "Donated”
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Brooklyn Museum
Fogg Art Museum
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Asian Art Museum, San Francisco
Craft Contemporary Museum, Los Angeles
Honolulu Academy of Arts
Cleveland Museum of Arts
- China - "Donated”
The Palace Museum
※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