Taihi Tenmoku Handled Small Flower Vase by Kusuo Baba, Second-Generation Shinemon, Shinemon Kiln [146207]

[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 compact flower vase can be used to arrange seasonal flowers and plants with a kenzan or similar flower holder. Even without flowers, its distinctive form and rich glaze make it an impressive ceramic art object for display.

"Taihi Tenmoku" is a traditional Tenmoku glaze whose origins can be traced to the Jizhou kilns of China's Song Dynasty. By layering multiple glazes and firing them together, complex shades of brown, golden brown, and black melt and blend across the surface, creating distinctive patterns reminiscent of tortoiseshell. The interaction of flame and glaze ensures that no two pieces develop exactly the same appearance, giving each work a unique depth and character.

The refined, angular body emphasizes clean, straight lines and is paired with a distinctive handle inspired by a traditional Japanese hand bucket, or "teoke." The rich glaze, shifting from deep brown to golden tones, gently softens the sharp geometric form and gives the piece a warm yet sophisticated presence.


[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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