Modern Japanese Pottery and Porcelain Marks (窯印): SHIGARAKI YAKI (信楽焼き )-Ceramics of Shiga Prefecture

Monday, September 23, 2013

SHIGARAKI YAKI (信楽焼き )-Ceramics of Shiga Prefecture

Shigaraki-yaki is pottery of Shiga Prefecture. Shigaraki is one of the six old Japanese kilns.

Notes from Alice Gordenker

The piece is contemporary. There are two names on the paper, both last name Kato (or Katoh). The first one listed, whom I presume is senior, is 加藤整治which I believe is read Kato Seiji. His art name is 艸云Soun, which is also the name of the kiln. He died in March 2016. The other name on the paper is probably his son. Both are listed as having "supervised" this work, so I don't know if that means that one or both of them made it, or some assistant made it under their supervision. I assume the latter. As I said, the kiln is in Koga in Shiga Prefecture, which is Shigaraki ware territory. I see that signature on all his boxes, so I believe the box goes with the piece and isn't a mismatch.

Takahashi Rakusai

Soutou-en 宗陶苑

*******

Tanikangama-This kiln began around 1870. We enjoyed our visit at Tanikangama and Mr. Tanii was very welcoming. The showroom included samples of both 2nd Tanikangama (Shinzan) and and 3rd Tanikangama (Hozan).

Vase made by Shinzan, 2nd generation Tanikangama

Shinzan MARK

Tanii Hozan MARK

Small bowl made by Tanii Hozan, 3rd generation Tanikangama

Ogawa Kenzo Tobo (小川顕三 )

www.ogawa-kenzo.com/

I enjoyed a visit to Mr. Ogawa's Kiln along with some friends who were visiting Japan. He was very kind to show us through the kiln. He is a famous Shigaraki potter.