Gourd Shaped White Porcelain Jar by Living National Treasure Manji Inoue

$39,500.00

Made in Arita Japan

A work that uses the highest grade of white porcelain clay made from Amakusa pottery stone and is molded on the lathe and shaped using the fingers into a gourd shape while it is still soft.

  • Jar measures H: 13.3" Diameter: 13"
  • Made in Japan

Manji Inoue - Living National Treasure

Born in 1929, Manji Inoue learned to craft Arita ware, a form of traditional colorful pottery. However, he would begin working using white porcelain and then become celebrated worldwide for his creations. He often uses Hakuji, which is done by pouring a transparent glaze over white Kaolin (clay) and then firing it at a high temperature. Manji Inoue demands perfection when it comes the shape and has been known to be unforgiving, even if the item is just a millimeter distorted. Inoue said that “hakuji is expressed through form instead of decoration.” His pieces show this truth through the purely rounded forms and refined curves instead of using distracting décor on the surface. The simple lines show power to the eye within the depth of pure white valleys and peaks. The silky, smooth, and soft surface of Arita porcelain characterizes the beauty of Manji Inoue’s work that is unmatched.

Manji Inoue Timeline

  • 1929:

    Born in Arita Town, Saga Prefecture

  • 1967:

    While at Kyusyu Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition, he received the Minister of Education, Science, and Culture Incentive Award twice

  • 1968:

    He was selected for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition and became a full member of the Japan Kogei Association.

  • 1969:

    He traveled to the US four times for lectures and, beginning in March, taught ceramics at Pennsylvania State University School of Visual Arts as a dispatcher lecturer.

  • 1971:

    He was invited to submit to the USA-Canada touring exhibition, selected for the Japanese Ceramic Arts Exhibition, and invited to submit to the South America touring exhibition.

  • 1979:

    He was recognized by the Minister of Health, Labor, and Welfare as a Contemporary Master Craftsman.

  • 1983:

    He traveled to the US to give art lectures at the University of New Mexico located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 19 times. He is still currently a lecturer in the Art Education Program.

  • 1986:

    He traveled to Jingdezhen, China, for the Study tour of European Art.

    He was given the Distinguished Service in Arts and Culture Award by Saga Prefecture.

  • 1988:

    He was invited to discuss art with the Prime Minister.

  • 1993:

    The Saga Prefectural Government commended him for Distinguished Service.

  • 1995:

    He had a solo exhibition in Germany for the Germany-Japan Cultural Exchange Exhibition hosted by the Germany Art Museum and Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in April.

    He was distinguished as a Living National Treasure and Important Intangible Cultural Property in May.

    He was a judge at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition

    He submitted his works to the Modern Masters of Ceramics: Works by Eight Living National Treasures Exhibition.

  • 1997:

    The National Museum of Modern Art purchased his work in Tokyo submitted it to the 1996 Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition.

    In October, he had a solo exhibition at the Neparjzi Muzeum for cultural exchange.

    In November, he received the Medal with Purple Ribbon.

  • 1999:

    He had a solo exhibition for a cultural exchange in Monaco for Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Prince Rainier’s Accession exhibit.

  • 2000:

    In April, his work was purchased and collected by the Museum of Modern Art in Ibaraki.

    In October, he had a solo exhibition for cultural exchange at the Centro Cultural de Belem, Portugal.

  • 2001:

    The Museum of Fine Arts in Gifu purchased his work.

  • 2003:

    In August, he was a jury member for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition.

    In November, he received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.

  • 2007:

    He had a solo exhibition for cultural exchange at the Krakow Academy of Fine Arts in Poland.

  • 2012:

    He had a solo exhibition for a cultural exchange in September in New York, US.

    He had a solo exhibition for a cultural exchange in December in Hong Kong, China.