Abe Anjin Exhibition: Thinking Bizen / Calligraphy by Artists: Another Face

We are proud to announce that two special exhibitions, “Calligraphy by Artists: Another Face” and “Abe Anjin Exhibition: Thinking Bizen,” will open on September 23 (Fri) and will continue on view on through October 1 (Sat). We welcome all visitors to come and enjoy the exhibits displayed across the 1st and 2nd floor of our gallery.

Abe Anjin is a well-known master of Bizen-style pottery. His works are characterized by the artist’s deep fascination for antiquity, forms exclusive to Bizen ware, and a distinct and charming color arrangement. Abe Anjin’s works are highly acclaimed worldwide and have been acquired by the likes of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY and the National Palace Museum, Taipei.

Abe Anjin (1938 – )

1959    Enrolled Contemporary Art Institute. Studied under Miyamoto Saburo
1989    Built his own kiln in Ushimado-cho, Setouchi, Okayama
2006    Participated in The 1st Paramita Ceramic Art Grand Prize Exhibition

Member of IAC, International Academy of Ceramics

Public Collections:
Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)
The National Palace Museum, Taipei (Taiwan)

【On the Exhibition】

My first encounter with pottery was through ancient ceramics.
At that time, I had the opportunity to actually hold and examine highly valuable and treasured Japanese tea utensils.
Before I knew it, the potter’s wheel was turning and there was a fire in the kiln.
This became the best way to heal my exhaustion from painting.
Since then, a large question has arisen.
That is, where did Raku Chojiro and Oribe ware originate from?
Both are complete in their forms, each crafted with a unique molding and firing method.
The process of perfection is yet to be found.
I have secretly hoped for many years that I would present my works in this gallery space.
I sincerely hope that you will enjoy my exhibition.

– Abe Anjin

This exhibition will present a selection of calligraphy by various artists, such as Suda Kokuta, Munakata Shiko, Teshigahara Sofu and more. Transcending the ‘written’ form, these works bear a unique style and character that allows viewers to imagine a sense of their time, as well as the love and passion these artists had for the art. Exhibiting a range of different styles, the exhibition seeks to shine light onto the fascinating world of calligraphy that reveal “another face” to these artists and their works.

【Exhibiting Artists】

Suda Kokuta (1906‐1990)

A Western‐style painter from Saitama, Suda was active during the Showa period. Considered one of the most significant late 20th century abstract painters of the Japanese avant-garde, his works have been exhibited across the globe in various contemporary art exhibitions. Upon meeting Hasegawa Saburo, the abstract painting vanguard, he entered the Kokugakai (Society for National Painting) and pursued abstract painting. His works are often characterized by vitality, colored by power and lack of restraint. Renowned also for his calligraphy and pottery, Kokuta accompanied and provided illustrations for Shiba Ryotaro’s travelogue, “Kaidou wo Yuku” (On the Highways). He later received a Kodansha Culture Award for these illustrations.

Munakata Shiko (1903-1975)

Munakata Shiko is considered one of the leading Hanga (wood-block printing) artists of Japan. In discovering Van Gogh’s Sunflower paintings, he aspired to become an oil painter, but later pursued the path of hanga making. Influenced by the Mingei movement led by the likes of Yanagi Muneyoshi and Kawai Kanjiro, he established his own distinct style by infusing characters and images. He produced many masterpieces depicting religious themes, such as “Two Bodhisattvas and Ten Great Disciples of Sakyamuni” and was awarded the prestigious Bunkakun-sho (Order of Culture Award) Bunkakun-sho (Order of Culture Award) at the age of 67.

Teshigawara Sofu (1900-1979)

Teshigawara Sofu was a floral artist who founded one of the three major schools of Ikebana, the “Ikebana Sogetsu-ryu.” Although he learnt Ikebana from an early age and demonstrated outstanding talent, he also pursued an original and unconventional style and advocated his own independent school, Sogetsu-ryu. He was instrumental in raising Ikebana to a world-class standard, and was awarded the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1960, Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur in 1961, and the Awards for Art (Geijutsu Sensho) in 1962.

Date & Time: Sep 23 (Fri) to Oct 1 (Sat), 2022
*Open every day from 10am to 6pm

Venue: Kashima Arts (3-3-2 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 1040031)

“Abe Anjin Exhibition: Thinking Bizen”

Exhibiting Artist: Abe Anjin

Exhibiting Works: Approx. 40

“Calligraphy by Artists: Another Face”

Exhibiting Artists: Suda Kokuta, Teshigahara Sofu, Munakata Shiko and more.

Exhibiting Works: Approx. 15