In Conjunction With:
This exhibition was held in conjunction with the Oregon Potters Association, whose 2008 Ceramic Showcase was held at the Oregon Convention Center on April 25–27, and included demonstrations by the Hokkaido potters and other related activities.
Northern Lights:
Ceramic Art from Hokkaido
Exhibition: April 11–20, 2008
Past event information:
Kazunao Azuma
The fascinating history of ceramics in Japan spans more than 10,000 years. Arguably, there is no culture on earth with a greater appreciation for the potter's art than that of Japan—from the coil-built, earthenware Jomon pots and the hollow-eyed, cylindrical Haniwa tomb figures to the rustic beauty of ash-glazed Shigaraki and Bizen tea wares and the elaborately decorated porcelains of Arita and Kutani.
With a wealth of good quality clay available throughout the Japanese archipelago, numerous regions around the country became known for the production of a remarkably diverse array of ceramic styles and techniques. Early kiln sites such as Bizen, Shigaraki, Iga, Tokoname, Echizen, and Tamba have flourished for centuries on the island of Honshu, as have the porcelain centers of Arita, Nabeshima, and Imari on the southern island of Kyushu.
The Portland Japanese Garden welcomed the work of 24 ceramic artists from the Hokkaido Pottery Society for this special 40th-anniversary exhibition in conjunction with the Oregon Potters Association's 2008 Ceramics Showcase. The Hokkaido Pottery Society was established in Portland's sister city of Sapporo in 1968 (not long after the Portland Japanese Garden first opened its own gates) to foster the exchange of technical information and friendship among the potters working in Hokkaido.
The ceramic arts of Hokkaido reflect the vitality and youth of this northernmost island of Japan. Relatively new to the world of Japanese ceramics, Hokkaido has long been admired for its pristine lakes, virgin forests and unspoiled scenic beauty. It was not until the late 19th century that settlers from all over Japan began moving to Hokkaido, bringing with them a wealth of new trades, including the production of fine ceramics from many of the different kilns around the country.
Much like the artists of the American West, Hokkaido potters enjoy the freedom to break new ground in their work, building upon the great traditions of the past while exploring new ideas and directions with creativity clearly visible in the works displayed in this exhibition.
Hiroshi Nakamura
- Koji AIZAWA
- Kazunao AZUMA
- Toyomitsu BANDOU
- Machiko FUKUMORITA
- Shinichi ISHIKAWA
- Shinji KAIDO
- Akiko KIRYU
- Nobuyuki KOUSAI
- Yuko MAENO
- Seigoh MINAMI
- Hiroshi NAKAMURA
- Teruko NAKAMURA
- Minori OGI
- Hiroaki OKADA
- Masatoshi SHIMADA
- Masaru SUZUKI
- Yuko TAJIMA
- Yoshinobu TAKAHASHI
- Hideki TAKAI
- Hiroshi TOKUHASHI
- Fumiko UEDA
- Shoko YAMADA
- Yasuko YAMANASHI
- Akira YOSHIDA
Seigoh Minami
Koji Aizawa
Lecture
Contemporary Ceramics in Japan
with New York Ceramic Artist Jeff Shapiro
Jeff Shapiro
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Past event information:
Internationally known ceramic artist Jeff Shapiro discussed Contemporary Ceramics in Japan. Having experienced a formal wood-fire potter's apprenticeship at a kiln on the Japan Sea coast in the late 1970s, Jeff provided an overview and context for understanding Japanese pottery. The lecture was followed by a reception with Jeff and several of the Hokkaido potters in attendance.
Tea Ceremony
with bowls crafted by the Hokkaido potters
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Past event information:
On Sunday, April 20, the Garden hosted a demonstration of the Tea Ceremony led by members of the Kashin-Tei Kai Tea Society. Green tea was prepared using 24 tea bowls made especially for the occasion by the Hokkaido potters.
