花瓶 - Porcelain - Japan - 金銀の梅花 - 藤井周明

アイテム説明
This is an impressive spherical flower vase by Arita ware ceramicist Fujii Shumei. Fujii Shumei is a potter from Arita City, Saga Prefecture, known as a popular artist who has been selected numerous times for the Nitten (Japan Fine Arts Exhibition). This work features a lustrous jet-black tenmoku glaze as its base, adorned with a scattering of plum blossom motifs rendered in gold and silver powder, adding a delicate shimmer to the dark ground.

The form flows from a rounded spherical body into a relatively short neck, with the rim undulating in an elegant, wave-like curve. This is a shape commonly seen in traditional Japanese vases. The foot ring is finished in white porcelain, where the artist's inscribed signature can be confirmed (please refer to the images).　
　
"In the works of Fujii Shumei utilizing the Tenmoku silver sand glaze, the expression where plum blossoms and other motifs appear to softly float out from the deep black ground embodies an extraordinary technique and a profound aesthetic. Its charms are as follows:

Mastery of Advanced Glazes and Three-Dimensional Depth
Depending on the angle of light and viewing, silver and gold particles sparkle like stars in a night sky within the jet-black Tenmoku glaze, with the motifs emerging from that depth. Rather than a flat painted design, it is characterized by the three-dimensional feel and shading created through the transformation of the glaze.

A Design Elevating Scenes of Nature
It breathes with the unique philosophy pursued by the Shumei Kiln—translating the vitality of nature and the mental landscape of Arita into ceramic art. By having delicate plant motifs emerge within a world of black that evokes quietude, a unique lyricism where tranquility and brilliance coexist is expressed.

The Crystallization of Exceptional Technique as a Nitten Exhibitor
Having been selected for the Nitten fifteen times, the skills in throwing and glaze adjustment cultivated through years of rigorous training make this exquisite gradation and floating visual effect possible. This is a work of exceptionally high artistic value, bringing together the pinnacle of craftsmanship."

This listing is for the vase only.

Artist Profile
Fujii Shumei (1936–2017) was a ceramicist born in Arita City, Saga Prefecture, who began his apprenticeship at a aka-e (overglaze red enamel) kiln and ceramics company at the age of fifteen. He established himself as an independent overglaze decorator in 1963, and in 1974 opened his own kiln, the Shumei-gama. He developed a distinctive "leaf technique" in which fresh leaves are pressed against the clay body to leave imprints of their veining, which he combined with sometsuke (underglaze blue) techniques to depict the four seasons of the landscape around Arita. He was first accepted into the Nitten in 1962, going on to achieve a total of fifteen acceptances, and attained the status of Nitten Associate Member and member of the Saga Prefectural Art Association. He received numerous awards, including prizes at the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, the Minister of Education Award at the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition, and the Japan New Craft Award at the Japan New Craft Exhibition. His works are held in the collection of the British Museum in London.

Dimensions
Height: 18.5 cm
Width: 18 cm
Depth: 18 cm

Weight
1,676 g

Condition
No notable chips, cracks, or damage are present, and the piece is in good condition. Some of the reflections visible in the images are caused by studio lighting reflecting off the glossy glaze surface, and are not scratches or surface defects.

Additional Information
Artist: Fujii Shumei (Arita, Shumei-gama)
Ceramic type: Arita porcelain with tenmoku glaze and gold and silver plum blossom decoration
No artist's box (tomobako) is included.

NOTICE:

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