Vase Sometsuke Hana-e Flower | The first-generation head of the Shinemon Kiln [146182]

[size]
Width: 17.3cm / Height: 21cm
Width: 6.8in / 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 esteemed kilns representing Arita ware. The vase features a stylized floral motif rendered in *sometsuke* (underglaze blue), showcasing a modern and abstract interpretation of traditional botanical themes.

Today, Shinemon Kiln is best known for pioneering *y?hen* (kiln transmutation) techniques, skillfully manipulating glazes to produce unique, lustrous finishes. However, this piece predates that era. It was created by the first-generation Shinemon himself, before *y?hen* became the kiln’s signature. Using the fundamental technique of *sometsuke*, this work reflects the artist’s mastery of brushwork and composition. As *sometsuke* pieces are no longer commonly produced at Shinemon Kiln, this vase stands as a rare and valuable example of the kiln’s early work.

Though compact in size, the vase has ample capacity for displaying seasonal flowers and fits seamlessly into modern living spaces. Its form is ideal for casual flower arrangements and lends a quiet elegance to any room. The floral motif is not confined by realism; instead, it is abstracted into a decorative expression that merges tradition with modernity. The bold deconstruction of the floral subject invites the viewer’s imagination, offering a sense of refined originality.

From a technical standpoint, the vase was painted using the *sometsuke* technique?an underglaze method in which the design is applied to the bisque-fired clay body before glazing. This approach allows for delicate, flowing brushwork and expressive detail. However, because the absorbent surface does not allow for corrections, each brushstroke must be executed with absolute precision. It is a process that demands intense focus, discipline, and compositional skill.

The result is a thoughtfully balanced piece that bridges classical craftsmanship with artistic innovation?a quiet yet compelling presence that enhances any space it inhabits.


[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."