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Touching Stone Gallery  Santa Fe  New Mexico USA

www.touchingstone.com  Email: director@touchingstone.com

 

Yoshitaka Hasu
Contemporary Iga Japanese Ceramics
June 29 - August 1, 2007

See more of this artist's works: 2007 show  2008 show  2009 show  2011 show


Yoshitaka Hasu  蓮　善隆

Touching Stone Gallery is honored to host the America debut for Yoshitaka Hasu in this exhibition which features over two dozen pieces that epitomize the aesthetic philosophy of this exceptional Iga artist.

Located southeast of Kyoto, Iga is one of the oldest pottery centers in Japan, with a pottery tradition dating back at least 1,200 years. During the Momoyama period (1573-1600), Iga was synonymous with some of the most revered tea ceremony ware in Japan. Today, there are fewer than several dozen active potters in Iga. Even fewer are pushing the craft beyond utilitarian purposes. One of the most notable exceptions is Yoshitaka Hasu, who has taken the ancient Iga tradition to new levels.

Yoshitaka Hasu was born in 1949 in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture. After earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering from National College of Technology and working for several years in development of telecommunication, he chose instead to pursue a career in ceramics. In 1975, he started an apprenticeship with ceramist Shiro Banura (1941-2001) in Iga. Banura was strongly inspired by Rozanjin (1883-1959), a famed ceramist and novelist with a discriminating taste, who advocated living with art through serving fine food with beautiful handmade utensils and decorating with flowers in exquisite vases. This philosophy, which blurs the distinction between utility and art, has been a major influence on Hasu’s work. In 1979, Hasu established his own studio in Iga, where he has been producing some of the most original and exciting work built upon the Iga tradition and this philosophy.

Historically, Iga pottery was made in a style similar to Shigaraki ware produced in a neighboring district. Both share a distinctive glass-like natural ash glaze and dramatic fire marks over rough pitted clay surfaces, and Iga pottery is typically more robust. Hasu harvests his own clay from the nearby mountains, a difficult yet important step, as the clay must have the right malleability, iron contents, beautiful interaction with ash glaze, and high heat resistance (Hasu fires up to 2,480 deg. F). The harvested clay is sorted into piles and kept under straw covers to age for several years until it is ready for use.

Hasu works like a sculptor. Using a technique called kurinuki, he carves out exterior forms and scoops out the interior of solid chunks of clay, paring away the unnecessary to reveal distinctive lines for which he is renowned - powerful, direct and very dynamic. His decorations are equally dramatic, a unique combination of natural ash glaze and an iron glaze, which he pours freely over the sculpted surfaces.

One of Hasu's favorite forms is the toubako (ceramic box). His fascination with the toubako forms stems from his interest in merging utility and art, a philosophy inspired by his mentor. The drama and joy of opening a beautifully made toubako to reveal more unexpected beauty within becomes a powerful medium through which the artist expresses his vision.

Hasu_Vase_1a.jpg (114410 bytes)Hasu_Vase_1d.jpg (119033 bytes)Hasu_Vase_1c.jpg (107759 bytes)
Vase Form No. 1
Iga fire change ceramic vase
   17.5"h x 13.5" x 9" (3 views)  Sold


 
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Vase Form No. 2
Iga fire change ceramic vase
 7"h x 10" x 6.5" (2 views)  Sold


Vase Form No. 32
 Iga fire change ceramic vase
   7"h x 10.5" x 5.5" (2 views)  Sold


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Vase Form No. 3
Iga fire change ceramic vase
13.5"h x 17" x 11" (3 views)  Sold


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 Toubako Tower No. 13
 Iga fire change ceramic box 
 14.5"h x 15" x 5" (7-layered, 2 views)  Sold


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 Toubako Tower No. 5
  Iga fire change ceramic box 
 8"h x 6" x 5" (3-layered, 2 views)  Sold


Toubako No. 6
Iga fire change ceramic box
5"h x 13.5" x 4.5"  Sold


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 Toubako No. 7
 Iga fire change ceramic flower box 
10"h x 3.50" x 3.5" (2 views)  Sold


 Vase Form No. 18
 Iga fire change ceramic vase 
  9.5"h x 4" x 4.5" (2 views)  Sold


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 Vase Form No. 8  
Iga fire change ceramic vase 
  6"h x 8" x 4" (2 views)  Sold


 Vase Form No. 9
Iga fire change ceramic vase
 5"h x 7" x 3" (2 views)  Sold


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 Toubako No. 14
 Iga fire change ceramic box 
  9.5"h x 8.5" x 5" (2 views)  Sold


Toubako No. 15
 Iga fire change ceramic box 
 5"h x 7.5" x 7" (2 views)  Sold


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 Toubako No. 16
Iga fire change ceramic box 
  3.5"h x 5" x 5" (2 views)  Sold


Vase Form No. 17
 Iga fire change ceramic vase 
  7.5"h x 6.5" x 6.5" (2 views)  Sold


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Vase Form No. 19
Iga fire change ceramic vase
 6"h x 7.5" x 5" (2 views)  Sold


 Hanging Vase Form  No. 20
Iga fire change hanging vase
 8.5"h x 3" x 3.5" (2 views)  Sold


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 Hanging Vase Form  No. 10
Iga fire change hanging vase
14.5"h x 1.5" x 1.5" (2 views)  Sold


 Hanging Vase Form  No. 21
 Iga fire change hanging vase 
  15"h x 1.5" x 1.5" (2 views)  Sold


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 Incense Burner No. 22
 Iga fire change ceramic 
  4"h x 4.5" x 3.5" (2 views)  Sold


 Incense Burner No. 23
Iga fire change ceramic 
4"h x 3.5" x 3.5" (2 views)  Sold


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 Incense Burner No. 24
Iga fire change ceramic
  4"h x 4.5" x 4" (2 views)  Sold


 Incense Burner No. 25 
Iga fire change ceramic
  4"h x 4.5" x 4" (2 views)  Sold


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 Tokkuri No. 27
Iga fire change ceramic
 5.5"h x 4" x 4" (2 views)  Sold


 Tokkuri No. 28
Iga fire change ceramic
5.5"h x 4" x 4" (2 views)  Sold


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 Guinomi No. 29
Iga fire change ceramic
 3"h x 2.5" x 2.5" (w/ wooden box)  Sold


 Guinomi No. 30
Iga fire change ceramic
3"h x 2.5" x 2.5" (w/ wooden box)  Sold


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Wall Plate No. 12
Iga ceramic w/ iron & ash glaze
18"h x 6.5" x 1" Sold


Wall Plate No. 26
Iga ceramic w/ iron & ash glaze
10.5" x 10.5" x 1" Sold


Hasu_Vase_31a.jpg (115261 bytes)Hasu_Vase_31b.jpg (121122 bytes)
Vase Form No. 31
Iga fire change ceramic vase
 7.5"h x 9.5" x 6" (2 views)  Sold

Biography & Exhibitions

1949   Born in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture
1975   Started 4-years apprenticeship with Iga ceramist Banura Shiro
1979   Established own kiln and studio in Iga
1982   First solo exhibition, Yokohama Takashimaya Art Gallery, Yokohama
1983   Solo exhibition, Gallery Tenjin, Fukuoka
1984   Solo exhibition, Gallery Tenjin, Fukuoka
1986   Solo exhibition, Gallery Kuroda Touen, Tokyo
1987   Solo exhibition, Tokyo Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo
          Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka
          Solo exhibition, Sun Gallery Sumie, Nagoya
1988   Solo exhibition, Tokyo Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo
          Solo exhibition, Yokohama Takashimaya Art Gallery, Yokohama
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Tenjin, Fukuoka
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Akiyama, Kurume
1989   Solo exhibition, Tokyo Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo
          Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka
1990   Solo exhibition, Tokyo Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo
          Solo exhibition, Sun Gallery Sumie, Nagoya
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Kagura, Mie
1991   Solo exhibition, Tokyo Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo
          Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka
          Solo exhibition, Fukuya Art Gallery, Hiroshima
1992   Solo exhibition, Tokyo Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo
          Solo exhibition, Sun Gallery Sumie, Nagoya
1993   Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka
1994   Solo exhibition, Tokyo Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Hanamitsu, Osaka
1996   Solo exhibition, Tokyo Takashimaya Art Gallery, Tokyo
          Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka
          Solo exhibition, Sun Gallery Sumie, Nagoya
1997   Solo exhibition, Gallery Tachikichi, Kyoto
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Blanche, Osaka
1998   Solo exhibition, Gallery Tachikichi, Osaka
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Shun, Tokyo
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Kochuraku, Kagoshima
1999   Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Ayame, Shizuoka
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Yuuan, Nara
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Tenjin, Fukuoka
2000   Solo exhibition, Sun Gallery Sumie, Nagoya
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Tousei, Kyoto
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Candide, Tokyo
2001   Solo exhibition, JR Nagoya Takashimaya Art Gallery, Nagoya
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Kochuraku, Kagoshima
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Aoyagi, Niigata
2002   Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka
          Solo exhibition, Sun Gallery Sumie, Nagoya
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Ayame, Shizuoka
2003   Solo exhibition, Gallery Yufuku, Tokyo
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Issouan, Okazaki
2004   Solo exhibition, JR Nagoya Takashimaya Art Gallery, Nagoya
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Junikagetsu, Fukuoka
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Tousei, Kyoto
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Nakanishi, Yokohama
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Kochuraku, Kagoshima
2005   Solo exhibition, Osaka Takashimaya Art Gallery, Osaka
          Solo exhibition, Sun Gallery Sumie, Nagoya
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Toukurou, Hyougo
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Touka, Fukuoka
          Solo exhibition, Seigendo, Sapporo
2006   Solo exhibition, Gallery Nono, Toyama
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Touan, Osaka
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Ayame, Shizuoka
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Tousei, Kyoto
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Teisokuan, Mie
2007   Solo exhibition, Gallery Kochuraku, Kagoshima
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Nono, Toyama
          Solo exhibition, Touching Sone Gallery, Santa Fe, USA
          Solo exhibition, JR Nagoya Takashimaya Art gallery, Nagoya
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Touka, Fukuoka
          Solo exhibition, Gallery Hana, Ehime