White-porcelain vase
白磁花瓶
- Birth Year
- 1888
- Death Year
- 1971
- Date
- 1950s – mid-1960s (presumed)
- Technique, Material, Format
- ceramic
- Dimension
- 21.0 x 23.5 x 23.5 cm
- Donor name
- Mr. Yamaguchi Kazuhiro
- Category
- Craft by Japanese Artist
- Inventory Number
- 88-CJ-00D
Inoue Ryosai III was the eldest son of Inoue Ryosai II, a ceramics maker who worked primarily for the export market. In 1914, Ryosai III moved from Tokyo to Takashimacho, Yokohama, and, after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, he opened a climbing kiln in Idogaya, Minami Ward. He became one of Yokohama’s leading potters, spending his entire life researching classical pottery and experimenting with various shapes and glazes.
Although this work is described as "white porcelain" in the title, the walls of the vase are quite thick, suggesting the artist was probably just trying to emulate the white color of Song, Ming, or Joseon dynasty porcelain. The vertical streaks pulled down from the rim resonate with the round shape, and the bud of a white flower appears to have morphed into the vase itself. The faint parallel rings around the top of the vase are also reminiscent of the soft touch of petals. Ryosai III was especially fond of this kind of plump shape, which seem to convey the warmth of a living creature.
(SAKAMOTO Kyoko)