No.8863   2004. 8. 6

“The Early Imari Wares - The Birth of Underglazed and Overglazed Paintings” Exhibition

The Overglazed Platter with the Gould Motif on the Water Chestnut Tatami Texture

Suntory Museum of Art (Curator: Nobutada Saji) is to hold an exhibition “The Early Imari Wares- The Birth of Underglazed and Overglazed Paintings” Exhibition from Tuesday, November 2nd 2004 to Sunday, December 12th, 2004. Japanese art of ceramics were originated in Arita, Hizen-koku in the early Edo Period. Arita ceramics are known as “Imari”, named after the port of shipment. Hizen ceramics mostly concentrates on the arts of underglazed cobalt blue dyed works which were originated from dying skills in ceramics in Keitokuchin, China. Hizen ceramics are popular for its fresh beauty and called as “the early Imari wares”. Moreover, as the art of multi-colored overglazed paintings was introduced in the mid-17th Century, the early multi-colored overglazed ceramics began to be made in Japan, as well.

This exhibition will present numbers of masterpieces from the early times of Hizen ceramics. These include, “The Underglazed Basin with Natural Scenery” (presented by Tokyo Museum), “The Underglazed Basin with the Architecture and Scenery Motif” (presented by Saga Prefectural Kyushu Ceramic Cultural Center”, “The Multi-Colored Overglazed Gemoetric-Patterned Pot” (presented by an individual), “The Overglazed Platter with a Chrysanthemum Crest” (presented by an individual). The exhibition also presents historic pieces and archaeological materials circulated in Sado, Echigo and Dewa through the Sea of Japan, which is recently discovered, and approaches the allures of the early Imari wares from a new perspective.

The exhibition presents around 170 pieces of the works of underglazed and overglazed Hizen ceramics from the pioneer days to the early times, which have receiving excellent critiques from ceramic lovers. This is also a great opportunity to recapture the early Imari wares from historic perspectives through the pieces discovered at the side of the Sea of Japan and circulated in Japan.

▼ The Suntory Museum of Art Homepage: http://www.suntory.co.jp/sma/