Once again this year, we are pleased to present a solo exhibition by Shinya Fukushima.
Although Fukushima works in Iga, his practice is by no means limited to Iga ware. In this exhibition, Oribe and Shino are among the other traditions he explores, yet they are infused with ideas that could only come from someone rooted in Iga. There is ash-covered Shino, his distinctive Iga-Shino technique that pushes this approach to an extreme, and something we are seeing for the first time: Oribe Kairagi-de... Oh, what on earth is this...?
It is said that Momoyama-period Iga was strongly influenced by the guidance of Furuta Oribe. Perhaps this Oribe Kairagi-de is the result of Fukushima—born in that very region and making Iga ware there today—turning that history around and, in a kind of reverse import, bringing an Iga potter’s take on Oribe-style decoration back into Mino. To borrow the language of certain ramen shops, you might call it Oribe with extra Oribe piled on top. This explanation may be getting a little hard to follow, but the work itself is certainly fascinating.
Once again, the exhibition will feature an impressive selection of tea ware, flower vessels, sake ware, and tableware. We warmly invite you to visit.
