Sometsuke Daikoku Decorative Plate by First-Generation Shinemon, Shinemon Kiln [146209]

[size]
Width: 26.8 cm / Height: 8.8 cm
Width: 10.6 in / Height: 3.5 in

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This is a work by the late Shinichiro Baba, the first-generation Shinemon and founder of Shinemon Kiln, one of the leading kilns of Arita ware.
This Sometsuke piece has a distinctive form, with a tall raised foot supporting a broad, gently spreading body. Rather than a conventional decorative plate, its playful and unusual shape is reminiscent of an oversized sake cup.

At the center, Daikoku is freely depicted in traditional blue-and-white Sometsuke, holding a fishing rod and a large sea bream. Daikoku is one of Japan's Seven Gods of Good Fortune and has long been associated with abundant harvests, prosperity in business, wealth, and good fortune. The addition of the sea bream, or "tai," itself a traditional symbol of celebration and good fortune in Japan, makes the design especially auspicious.

This piece was created by Shinichiro Baba, the late first-generation Shinemon of Shinemon Kiln. Today, Shinemon Kiln is renowned as a master of glazes, particularly for its wide variety of Yohen kiln-transformed glazes. During the time of the first-generation master, however, the kiln also produced Sometsuke works such as this one. Compared with the style for which Shinemon Kiln is known today, such pieces are particularly unusual and offer a fascinating glimpse into the history and artistic development of the kiln.

It can be enjoyed as a decorative plate, while its distinctive tall foot also gives it a strong presence when displayed simply as a ceramic art object. This is a rare piece through which to appreciate the craftsmanship and artistic character of the first-generation Shinemon.


[Potter Profile]
Sh inichiro Baba (deceased)

The first-generation head of the Sh inemon 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


[Sh inichiro Baba's career is as follows ]
Born in 1924 in Arita, Saga Prefecture
1972: Founded the Sh inemon 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: Appo inted 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.

[Ma in Awards]
1983: Won the First Place Bijutsu Kyokai Prize at the Bijutsu Kyokai Exhibition for "C innabar 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."

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