Kinkamon Cylindrical Vase by Kusuo Baba, Second-Generation Shinemon, Shinemon Kiln [146205]

[size]
Width: 10.2 cm / Height: 22.8 cm
Width: 4 in / Height: 9 in

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This is a work by Kusuo Baba, the second-generation master of Shinemon Kiln, one of the leading kilns of Arita ware. Golden flowers blooming within the flames.

"Kinkamon" is characterized by golden crystals emerging across a deep reddish-brown surface. A specially formulated glaze containing a blend of various metals is fired at high temperatures, allowing golden-brown markings to appear spontaneously across the vessel.

Fine golden particles spread across the surface as though gently falling from above, while in places they gather into larger clusters of crystals. The resulting landscape evokes golden flowers blooming against the warm glow of an evening sky.

This piece is particularly striking for the contrast between its slender, refined cylindrical form, the warmth of its vermilion-red tones, and the brilliance of the golden crystals. As the viewing angle changes, the density and flow of the crystalline patterns reveal different expressions, allowing the viewer to appreciate a landscape created by the flames of the kiln. Rather than painting with gold, Kinkamon allows the glaze and fire themselves to bring "golden flowers" into bloom. Brilliant yet never overly decorative, this vase possesses a quiet and refined elegance.


[Potter Profile]
Kusuo Baba
(The second-generation head of the Sh inemon Kiln)
Member of Nitten / Councilor of the Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Association / Vice President of the Saga Prefecture Ceramic Association / Director of the Saga Art Association

I create works that inherit the tradition of Arita ware while align ing with contemporary sensibilities. I specialize in the Yohen technique, which skillfully manipulates glazes, add ing an element of serendipity to each piece as it reaches completion, thereby express ing a mystical beauty.

[Kusuo Baba's career is as follows ]
Born in 1952
1976: Jo ined the Saga Prefecture Ceramic Research institute, where he learned the basics of ceramics and began research ing glazes.
1980: Jo ined Maemon Kiln and began creat ing pottery, cont inu ing his research on glazes to this day.
1981: Received strong guidance from Ryuzan Aoki, a recipient of the Order of Culture.
1997: Selected for the Nitten exhibition for "Kyoku Ei." Subsequently, he has been selected 20 times.
2004: Exhibited "Haruka wo N fl ozomu" and "Umibe no Uta" at the Arita Pottery Exhibition in Germany.
2010: Held the "Encounter ing Colors at Ogurayama" exhibition at Jojakkoji Temple in Kyoto.
2014: Appo inted as a judge for the 53rd Contemporary Arts and Crafts Exhibition.
2021: Elected as a councilor of the Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Association.

[Ma in Awards]
1997: Selected for the Nitten exhibition for "Kyoku Ei."
2000: Awarded the Grand Prize and the 50th Anniversary Special Prize at the Saga Prefecture Exhibition for "Haruka na Sazanami."
2003: Received the Ryuzan Aoki Prize at the 100th Anniversary Kyushu Yamaguchi Ceramic Exhibition for "Umibe no Uta."
2005: Received the Contemporary Craft Award at the Contemporary Craft Exhibition for "Reimei-05."
2008: Received the Contemporary Craft Full Member Award at the Contemporary Craft Exhibition for "Kyoku-08(1)."
2011: Received the Director's Award at the 50th Anniversary Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Exhibition for "Sazanami no Uta."
2012: Won the Special Prize at the Nitten exhibition for "Haruka na M ine."
2012: Received the Grand Prize and the Ryuzan Aoki Prize at the Contemporary Crafts Kyushu Exhibition for "Sankei."

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