Yoshitaka Hasu

Contemporary Iga Ceramic Masterworks

July 3 - 29, 2009

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

Yoshitaka Hasu  蓮　善隆

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. The current show features his latest body of work that epitomizes the aesthetic philosophy of this exceptional Iga artist.