Tomimoto Kenkichi 1886-1963
Tomimoto Kenkichi was a leading Japanese ceramic artist of 20th century, designated a Living National Treasure. In 1950 he became the first professor of Ceramics at the Department of Crafts, Kyoto City University of Arts. He trained many influential ceramic artists of modern Japan. He studied design at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts and majored in architecture and interior decoration. Before graduation he went to England where the encounter with works of William Morris embodied his Arts and Crafts philosophy. His interest in pottery was born through his friendship with Bernard Leach . His ceramic production can be divided into three periods ; white porcelain and underglaze blue (Nara) ; porcelain with overglaze enamels (Tokyo); overglaze enamels with gold and silver (Kyoto). The varieties of works he created throughout his fifty years’ career are constant pursuits of unique form and design with his firm belief in "not creating patterns from the patterns."
Jar, White porcelain
w24.0×h19.5 cm
1931
Private Collection
Squared plate, underglaze blue and overglaze enamels
w28.7×h7.7 cm
1940
Round box, with silver and gold on red enamel overglaze
w10.5×h5.5 cm
1936