Reiko Kakiuchi-Cohen wood-fired ceramic show

Reiko Kakiuchi-Cohen Keeper of the Flame August 2 - 30, 2002
See this artist's new work: 2008 show, 2006 show, 2002 show
Reiko Kakiuchi-Cohen コーエン冷子 The remarkable pottery by Reiko Kakiuchi-Cohen began its life a quarter-of-a-century ago through a chance encounter in Japan. In 1976, Reiko Kakiuchi was working for the City of Kyoto. One day, she brought some strawberries to a new neighbor, a young American named Ben Cohen. Ben made some strawberry crepes and invited her to share them. She learned that he was a painter, and had a sister in America who was an artist. That innocuous encounter started something of extraordinary beauty. Reiko and Ben married in 1978. During their honeymoon, they traveled to Miyazaki-mura in Fukui Prefecture, birth place of Echizen-yaki and one of the six oldest pottery centers in Japan. Ben was so inspired by the quiet beauty of Echizen-yaki that he stayed to study pottery under master Shichizaemon Kitano. After three years of apprenticeship, the couple rented an old house surrounded by towering cedars in the tiny village Kadanji (Temple of Mosquito Valley). Ben converted an old oil-kiln for wood-firing, and named their kiln "Joyous Flame" - a phonetic play of the Japanese words for "Cohen". While other potters preferred firing with pine, Ben used cedar which was cheaper but burned poorly. He adapted his firing techniques to the unusually fuel and created a unique style of pottery with distinct patina of red flashes, white washes, and streaks of lime green. In the next seven or eight years, Ben showed throughout Japan and his work began to gain recognition. Then tragedy abruptly shattered the couple’s dream. In the summer of 1989, Ben was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. After separating briefly to visit their respective families, the couple returned to their beloved valley and devoted their remaining time together to keep their dream alive. By then, Ben had lost the use of his hands. Through oral instructions, he passed his knowledge and skills to Reiko, who had never worked with clay before. Their sheer determination and heroic efforts helped Reiko to realize her untapped talents. In 1991, the couple held their first joint exhibition in Nagoya. The show was a huge success. Over a hundred pieces of their work were completely sold out. The following year, they held another joint exhibition at the prestigious Ginza Tachikichi in Tokyo. It was again a sold-out. One month after that show opened, Ben passed away. After Ben’s death, Reiko stayed with their two young sons in their house in Kadanji overlooking a rice field across from Ben’s grave. Determined to continue the legacy started by Ben, she worked tirelessly to create her distinctive style that blended femininity, strength, Eastern and Western aesthetics. While keeping many of the forms originated by Ben, she concentrated on refining her wood-firing skills to produce stunning works that earned her wide admiration. In 2000, Reiko launched her American debut with a show entitled "A Life of Joyous Flame" at the Touching Stone Gallery in Santa Fe. The show was enthusiastically received by American artists and collectors. After a two-year absence to prepare for a major show in Tokyo, Reiko is invited to exhibit in the 2002 Contemporary Japanese Ceramic Masterwork Series hosted by the Touching Stone Gallery. Her current show, "Keeper of the Flame", features her latest works that epitomize her extraordinary artistry and mastery of the wood fire. The show is a quiet testimony of the courage, love, determination, and grace of this remarkable artist. It is also a personal triumph for Ben, for the fruit of his life-long collaboration with Reiko is now shown in the homeland of his beloved sister – famed American artist Judy Chicago. The Joyous Flame will live on.
Click on images to view selected pieces Inquiry/order: director@touchingstone.com

"Keeper of the Flame" Wood-fired ceramic vase w/ rattan handle 16.5 x 10 x 9 inch (2 views) Sold		"Wedding Vase" Wood-fired ceramic vase 8 x 8.5 x 5 inch (2 views) Sold

"Facing the Wind" Wood-fired ceramic vase 9 x 8.5 x 4 inch (2 views) Sold		"Black Rain" Wood-fired ceramic vase 10.5 x.11 x 3.5 inch (2 views) Sold

"Spirit of the Season" Wood-fired ceramic vase 8 x 8 x 6 inch (2 views) Sold		"Clearing Fog" Wood-fired ceramic vase 7 x 8 x 4 inch (2 views) Sold

"Shimmering" Wood-fired ceramic vase 10.5 x 9.5 x 4 inch Sold		"Dripping Moss" Wood-fired ceramic vase 9 x 8.75 x 3.5 inchh (2 views) Sold

"Windswept" Wood-fired ceramic vase 5.75 x 7.5 x 4 inch (2 views) Sold		"Into the Mist" Wood-fired ceramic vase 7 x 8 x 4 inch (2 views) Sold

"Icy Moonshine" Wood-fired ceramic vase 6 x 7 x 4 inch (2 views) Sold		"After the Rain" Wood-fired ceramic vase 7.5 x 8.5 x 5 inch (2 views) Sold

"Heart" Wood-fired ceramic vase 4.4 x 5 x 3 inch Sold	"Lichens & Frost" Wood-fired ceramic vase 6 x 9 x 4.5 inch Sold	"Snow Woman" Wood-fired ceramic vase 8 x 6.5 x 3.5 inch Sold	"Momiji" Wood-fired hanging vase 4.5 x 5 x 2 inch Sold


"Twilight" Wood-fired hanging vase 7.5 x 6.5 x 2 inch Sold	"Blue Dream" Wood-fired hanging vase 6 x 5.75 x 2 inch Sold	"White Heat" Wood-fired hanging vase 7.5 x 6.5 x 2 inch Sold	"Winter Road" Wood-fired hanging vase 6 x 5.75x 2 inch Sold	"Tide Pool" Wood-fired hanging vase 6.5 x 6.5 x 2 inch Sold


"Moment of Reflection" Wood-fired ceramic platter 14 x 6.5 inch Not for sale	"Circles" Wood-fired ceramic vase* 4.5 x 10.5 x 5.5 inch Sold Part of a ceramic & iron sculpture (See below) 25.5 x 20.5 x 9 inch Sold*

All my life's a circle, sunrise and sundown The moon rolls through the night time Till the day break comes around All my life's a circle, but I can't tell you why The seasons spinning round again The years keep rolling by It seems like I've been here before, I can't remember when But I got this funny feeling That we'll all be together again There's no straight line that make up my life And all my road have bends There's no clear cut beginnings, and so far no dead ends I've found you a thousand times, I guess you've done the same But then we'll lose each other It's just like children's games As I see you here again, the thought runs through my mind Our friendship's like a circle Let's go round one more time - Harry Chapin (1942-1981)
Exhibitions 1981 "Joyous Flame" Kiln established in Kadanji, Miyazaki-mura, Japan 1991 First joint exhibition with Ben Cohen, Gallery Akane, Nagoya Second joint exhibition with Ben Cohen, Clay Work Gallery, Fukui 1992 Last joint exhibition with Ben Cohen, Gallery Tachikichi, Tokyo Ginza 1993 First solo show, Gallery Tachikichi, Tokyo Ginza 1994 Solo show, Gallery Tachikichi, Osaka Shinsaibashi Solo show, Gallery Ichie, Okazaki 1995 Solo show, Gallery Tachikichi, Tokyo Ginza Solo show, Gallery Masuda, Shimane 1996 Solo show, Gallery Ichie, Okazaki Solo show, Gallery Tachikichi, Osaka Shinsaibashi 1997 Solo show, Gallery Yamahoushi, Kyoto 1998 Solo show, Gallery Tachikichi, Tokyo Ginza Solo show, Gallery Ichie, Okazaki Solo show, Gallery Kantan, Matsuyama 1999 Solo show, Gallery Fuchitei, Nagano 2000 Solo show, Gallery Tachikichi, Tokyo Ginza Solo show, Gallery Misaki, Ehime Solo American debut, Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA 2001 Solo show, Gallery Yamahoushi, Kyoto 2002 Solo show, Gallery Tachikichi, Tokyo Ginza Solo show, Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

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