Bamboo-Shaped Vase Sometsuke Sansui Landscape | The first-generation head of the Shinemon Kiln [146183]

[size]
Width: 6.5cm / Height: 21cm
Width: 2.6in / Height: 8.3in

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This piece is a work by the late Shinichiro Baba, the founding master of Shinemon Kiln?one of the most prestigious kilns representing Arita ware. The vase is shaped in the image of a bamboo tube and boldly adorned with a *sansui* (landscape) painting in *sometsuke* (underglaze blue). Crafted with the refined techniques of Arita porcelain, this piece captures the natural form of bamboo, evoking the essence of Japanese aesthetics such as serenity, dignity, and *wabi-sabi*.

Today, Shinemon Kiln is widely known as a leader in the *y?hen* technique?an advanced method of manipulating glazes to produce iridescent, transformative finishes. However, this work is not an example of *y?hen*, but rather a rare *sometsuke* piece. It was created by the very founder of the kiln, Shinemon Baba himself, during his own artistic career. As such, it reflects his mastery of the foundational technique of Arita ware. Since *sometsuke* works are rarely produced at Shinemon Kiln today, this piece holds significant value and rarity.

The vase’s unique shape?a tall, narrow form inspired by bamboo?makes it ideal as a single-stem flower holder. Its elegant silhouette, modeled with precision and grace, brings a quiet strength and vitality to interior spaces. A single bloom placed within the vase becomes one with the vessel, inviting appreciation of the delicate balance between nature and crafted form, and offering a serene moment of beauty.

The landscape motif (*sansui*) depicted here traditionally focuses on natural scenery?mountains, rivers, trees, and rocks?while human presence is rendered small or absent, emphasizing nature’s grandeur. Rooted in Taoist, Confucian, and Zen Buddhist philosophy, *sansui* art represents spiritual reflection and the pursuit of harmony with nature. It is a classic and profound subject often found in Japanese hanging scrolls and ink wash paintings, making it a timeless theme in traditional art.

From a technical perspective, the *sometsuke* method involves painting directly onto the bisque-fired body before glazing. This technique allows for fluid brushwork and expressive details, yet offers no room for correction?every stroke must be executed with unwavering focus. This one-shot approach demands patience, compositional skill, and mastery.

The result is a piece that embodies the harmony between form, technique, and philosophy. It is not only a vessel, but a symbol of the timeless beauty of nature and craftsmanship passed down through generations.


[Potter Profile]
Shinichiro Baba (deceased)

The first-generation head of the Shinemon Kiln
Member of Nitten / Full Member of the Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Association / Member of the Saga Prefecture Ceramic Association / Member of the Arita Ceramic Association

[Shinichiro Baba's career is as follows ]
Born in 1924 in Arita, Saga Prefecture
1972: Founded the Shinemon Kiln in Arita.
1979: Selected for the Prefecture Exhibition with "Hexagonal Celadon Bowl."
1981: Selected for the Nitten exhibition with "Oil Spot Tenmoku Large Bowl," subsequently selected 21 times.
1989: Appointed as an art exhibition judge.
2000: Exhibited "Saiun-99" and "Sai-99" at the British Museum in London (Saga Prefecture Ceramic Exhibition).
2004: Exhibited "Saikei" and "Saimon" at the Arita Pottery Exhibition in Germany.

[Main Awards]
1983: Won the First Place Bijutsu Kyokai Prize at the Bijutsu Kyokai Exhibition for "Cinnabar Flower Vase."
1986: Received the Grand Prize and the Contemporary Craft President's Prize at the Contemporary Crafts Kyushu Exhibition.
1996: Awarded the Contemporary Craft Prize at the Contemporary Craft Exhibition for "Akebono no Nagisa."
2000: Received the Full Member Prize at the Contemporary Craft Exhibition for "Rensaku・Sai."