School of Art

Contact Details

School of Art
Aberystwyth University
Buarth Mawr
Aberystwyth
Ceredigion
SY23 1NG

Tel: +44 (0)1970 622460

Fax: +44 (0)1970 622461

Email: artschool@aber.ac.uk

Display artist/maker:

Bizenware

Born: Japan   Active: 794-

Bizen is one of the main pottery making centres in Japan, dating back to the Heian period (794-1185). Its ware was originally heavier and rougher than some other potteries and was intended for everday use, and in the 15th and 16th centuries its rustic undecorated qualities were appreciated by the tea fraternity when many tea bowls were made. The production continues into the twenty first century. Nine nationally recognised Master Craftsmen and makers such as Yamamoto Toshu (1926-1989) have been recognised as Living National Treasures.The colour of Bizen ware is expressive of the earth from which it comes. It is valued for keeping water fresh and preserving the fine taste of sake. Accidents which can happen during firing mean that no two pieces are the same. Janet Leach, working at St Ives in 1950-1960, made thrown pots that were greatly influenced by the spontaneity and process of making and firing Bizen ware. The works in the Aberystywth collection were acquired during the 1920s and represent a particular late 19th century style of figurative pieces often of popular mythological and folk traditions. They were widely exported to the West in the early 20th century.

Objects in the collections associated with this artist/maker

[Crab stopper for incense burner] C804 Ceramics

[Double gourd vase] C799 Ceramics

[Figure holding a shield] C792 Ceramics

[Figure of a Japanese warrior, Bishamonten?] C787 Ceramics

[Figure of a kneeling woman] C785 Ceramics

[Figure of a seated man stirring a stick in a bowl] C788 Ceramics

[Figure of a seated man with frog / toad] C796 Ceramics

[Figure of the Japanese god Ebisu with a fish (carp)] C801 Ceramics

[Figure of the Japanese god Fukurokuju] C789 Ceramics

[Figure of the Japanese god Fukurokuju] C795 Ceramics

[Incense burner] C798 Ceramics

[Incense burner with the figure of a Lion of Fo on a peony flower] C791 Ceramics

[Incense burner with the figure of a sage / man seated on a tortoise] C790 Ceramics

[Incense burner, square with feet] C793 Ceramics

[Large figure of the Japanese God Hotei] C786 Ceramics

[Large incense burner with figure of a Lion of Fo] C802 Ceramics

[Large incense burner, figure of two fish (carp)] C803 Ceramics

[Small figure of a man] C800 Ceramics

[Small figure of the Japanese god Hotei] C794 Ceramics

[Wall sconce, figure of an insect] C797 Ceramics



 
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