Large Vase Kodai Sometsuke Sansui Landscape | The first-generation head of the Shinemon Kiln [146195]

[size]
Width: 29cm / Height: 35.7cm
Width: 11.4in / Height: 14in

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This piece is a masterwork by the late Shinichiro Baba, the first-generation head of the renowned Shinemon Kiln, a leading kiln in the world of Arita ware. Standing over 35 cm tall, it is a monumental vase painted in *sometsuke* (underglaze blue), featuring a bold and dynamic landscape scene that commands attention.

Today, Shinemon Kiln is best known for its pioneering work in *y?hen* (kiln-transmutation glazes), but this vase is a rare example of *sometsuke*?a foundational Arita ware technique. The reason is that this piece was created by the kiln's founder during his active years, and it reflects his personal craftsmanship in traditional blue-and-white porcelain. Because the current Shinemon Kiln rarely produces *sometsuke* works, this piece is now considered highly rare and valuable.

The body of the vase is formed into an octagonal shape with gently faceted sides. The softened edges create elegant shadows when struck by light, lending the form a sense of quiet tension and refinement. This octagonal design?at once sharp and gentle?adds a contemporary flair to the space in which it is displayed.

The central motif is *sansui* (landscape painting), a classical East Asian subject that portrays nature?mountains, rivers, lakes, trees, rocks?while human elements are kept minimal. If people or buildings appear at all, they are shown as small within the vastness of nature. *Sansui* painting is deeply rooted in Daoism, Confucianism, and Zen Buddhism, all of which promote harmony with nature and spiritual introspection. As such, landscape art like this reflects a philosophical and contemplative worldview. In addition to ceramics, it is a prominent theme in traditional ink paintings and hanging scrolls, considered a cornerstone of classical East Asian art.

From a technical standpoint, this work showcases the *sometsuke* method, in which designs are painted directly onto the bisque-fired surface before glazing. This technique requires fluid brushstrokes and confident execution, as corrections cannot be made once the ink touches the absorbent clay body. Every line must be perfect on the first try, demanding exceptional focus, perseverance, and compositional skill.

This vase, rich in both technical prowess and artistic expression, is a rare and profound embodiment of Arita ware's timeless tradition.



[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."