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