Katsunori Sawa solo exhibition

We are pleased to present our tenth solo exhibition by Katsunori Sawa.

Sawa’s Shigaraki continues to evolve, but as this marks our tenth exhibition with him, let us take a moment to revisit what Shigaraki ware is. Shigaraki is made from clay found in the geological formation known as the Ancient Lake Biwa layer. Lake Biwa itself originated around four million years ago in the area around Iga. When this clay is fired in a wood-fired kiln, it develops the distinctive surface effects that characterize Shigaraki. Many different clays are used, but white clay is particularly common. When Shigaraki white clay is fired in an electric kiln, it fires almost pure white. In a wood-fired kiln, however, the flames, firewood, wood ash, and iron contained in the clay create scarlet tones, scorching, and other varied surface effects. Areas that receive a particularly heavy coating of ash develop a green, glassy surface known as natural ash glaze. When I first saw Shigaraki and had this process explained to me, I could hardly believe it. Later, I had the opportunity to witness a firing myself and confirmed that it really was true. I still clearly remember the impact of seeing works emerge from the kiln with surfaces that seemed to have been cut directly from nature, and even now I feel that same sense of wonder whenever I see new pieces.

Of course, materials and kiln effects alone do not make a Shigaraki work complete. Form is equally important. Sawa fires his kiln around twelve times a year, and his mastery of firing is remarkable, but this time I was particularly struck by the sharpness and refinement of his forming. It is difficult to put into words, but these qualities reveal themselves in details such as how a piece feels in the hand and the precision of its trimming. When you visit, we hope you will pay particular attention to these details as well.

The exhibition will also feature many of his popular yobitsugi works, along with Oribe pieces that show an ever-expanding range of decorative expression. Although they were not completed in time to be included in this catalogue, we have also asked him to create Oribe works depicting notable places from the local area. We warmly invite you to visit ♡