Vase Sometsuke Ryu Dragon | The first-generation head of the Shinemon Kiln [146181]

[size]
Width: 24.3cm / Height: 33cm
Width: 9.6in / Height: 13in

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This piece is a masterwork by the late Shinichiro Baba, the founding master of Shinemon Kiln, one of the most renowned kilns representing Arita ware. Standing at 25 cm tall, this large vase commands attention with a bold *sometsuke* (underglaze blue) painting of a dynamic dragon, rendered with a powerful sense of movement across its broad surface.

Today, Shinemon Kiln is best known for its expertise in the sophisticated glaze technique known as *y?hen* (kiln transmutation). However, this particular vase is not a *y?hen* work?it was painted using *sometsuke*, a classic Arita ware technique. This distinction is significant: the piece was created by Shinemon Baba himself during his career, before *y?hen* became the kiln’s signature style. It reflects his mastery of traditional methods and his ability to express artistic power through the fundamentals of Arita decoration. As *sometsuke* is now rarely produced at Shinemon Kiln, this piece is particularly rare and valuable.

The vase’s form itself adds to its commanding presence?it makes a striking impression even without flowers. The wide opening is designed to support floral arrangements with confidence and grandeur, adding to its functional elegance.

The dragon depicted here is a deeply meaningful symbol in Asian cultures. In both Chinese and Japanese traditions, dragons are revered as sacred and powerful beings associated with many positive attributes:

* **Prosperity and Good Fortune**: Dragons are believed to bring wealth and success, making artworks featuring dragons popular as auspicious symbols.
* **Wisdom and Knowledge**: In Chinese legends, dragons often represent wise sages with profound insight, revered for their ability to bestow knowledge.
* **Courage and Boldness**: Dragons are seen as fearless beings capable of overcoming any obstacle, serving as symbols of bravery and strength.

From a technical perspective, the piece exemplifies the precision and depth of the *sometsuke* technique. Painted on the unglazed bisque surface before firing, the artwork captures flowing brushwork and dynamic expression. Because *sometsuke* requires painting directly onto an absorbent surface, there is no room for error?each stroke is final. Completing such a piece requires patience, focus, and exceptional compositional skill.

This vase is a brilliant fusion of symbolic power, artistic discipline, and traditional craftsmanship?an extraordinary piece that embodies the spirit of Arita ware.



[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."