Saiun Handled Small Flower Vase by Kusuo Baba, Second-Generation Shinemon, Shinemon Kiln [146206]

[size]
Width: 11.5 cm / Height: 14 cm
Width: 4.5 in / Height: 5.5 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. This "Saiun" flower vase displays a dreamlike landscape of color, with shades of red, blue-purple, and pale blue overlapping like clouds.

"Saiun" refers to a natural phenomenon in which clouds become beautifully colored by sunlight. In Japan and East Asia, such colorful clouds have long been regarded as an auspicious sign. The brilliant colors of this piece therefore evoke associations with happiness and good fortune.

The straight, geometric body is combined with a distinctive handle inspired by a traditional Japanese hand bucket, or "teoke," creating a modern and highly individual form. Its compact size makes it ideal for arranging seasonal flowers and plants using a kenzan or similar flower holder. It can also be enjoyed simply as a ceramic art object without flowers.

Depending on the viewing angle and the way light falls across the surface, the glaze shifts in appearance from reddish-purple to blue, revealing the beautiful and ever-changing landscape of color created by the kiln.


[Potter Profile]
Kusuo Baba
(The second-generation head of the Shinemon 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 aligning with contemporary sensibilities. I specialize in the Yohen technique, which skillfully manipulates glazes, adding an element of serendipity to each piece as it reaches completion, thereby expressing a mystical beauty.

[Kusuo Baba's career is as follows ]
Born in 1952
1976: Joined the Saga Prefecture Ceramic Research institute, where he learned the basics of ceramics and began researching glazes.
1980: Joined Maemon Kiln and began creating pottery, cont inuing 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 "Encountering Colors at Ogurayama" exhibition at Jojakkoji Temple in Kyoto.
2014: Appointed as a judge for the 53rd Contemporary Arts and Crafts Exhibition.
2021: Elected as a councilor of the Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Association.

[Main 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 Mine."
2012: Received the Grand Prize and the Ryuzan Aoki Prize at the Contemporary Crafts Kyushu Exhibition for "Sankei."

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