We are pleased to present “An Evening with Masatoshi Shimizu at Nogizaka Shin.” This time, we welcome Masatoshi Shimizu, who works in Tamba, Hyogo Prefecture, a pottery-producing region with a history of some 800 years.
Tamba ware, counted among Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, began with unglazed, high-fired stoneware and has developed in many different directions over the centuries. Shimizu works in a wide range of styles, from unglazed ware to cinnabar and feldspar glazes, as well as hikidashi-guro. Another defining feature of his practice is his use of a wood-fired jagama, a type of kiln that has now almost disappeared even in Tamba. The surfaces and kiln effects created by firing works of contemporary design in this primitive kiln have earned high praise from collectors, and his guinomi sometimes sell out at his solo exhibitions.
For this occasion, we have asked Shimizu to create adventurous new works with a strong focus on vessels for serving Japanese cuisine. Another of his strengths is his ability to use not only wood-fired kilns but also kilns with other fuel sources according to the effect he is seeking in each piece. We hope this will bring a varied rhythm and flow to the course, allowing you to enjoy the different expressions of his work alongside the cuisine.
We warmly invite you to join us.
