We are pleased to introduce a work featuring Iroe (overglaze painting) and gold gilt floral motifs by Kitade Seiko (1928-2011), a master who inherited the orthodox traditions of Kutani ware while elevating its expression to the level of contemporary art. Kitade Seiko, whose real name was Kitade Isamu, was born in 1928 in Daishoji, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Until his passing at the age of 83 in 2011, he consistently pursued a high-standard aesthetic. He was the nephew and the most prominent disciple of Kitade Tojiro, the master who brought innovation to Kutani ware by incorporating Middle Eastern designs. While inheriting his master's passionate and exotic sensibility, Seiko added Japanese delicacy and lyricism to create his own unique, tranquil worldview.
The most distinctive feature of this work is the extremely precise gold gilding applied to the traditional Kutani Iroe technique. The depicted flowers are realistic yet wrapped in a dreamlike elegance, featuring the red thistle, the national flower of Scotland and symbol of the home of Scotch whisky, and the blue gentian, which embodies the Japanese heart. The vitality of the thistle, which survives the harsh nature of the northern lands, and the blue of the gentian, which harbors quiet intelligence. The fact that these two contrasting flowers are united in perfect balance through Mr. Seiko's delicate gold gilding is the emotional depth of this work. The gold lines outlining each leaf are fixed using a high-difficulty technique that requires skilled brushwork and strict temperature control. These delicate gold lines add depth to the vessel, creating an atmosphere as if the flowers are breathing depending on the lighting. Our shop proposes this prestigious yunomi not merely as a tea vessel, but as a supreme sake vessel for savoring aged spirits and whisky. Unlike transparent crystal glass, the contrast between the gold gilding and the pale colors depicted by Kitade Seiko provides visual depth when amber liquid is poured, making the liquid surface shine golden. The comfortable weight and smooth texture when held, and the characteristic softness of porcelain on the lips, promise a quiet moment that satisfies all five senses along with the aroma of aged spirits.
Kitade Seiko's achievements are demonstrated by his illustrious career, including winning the Special Selection at the Nitten Exhibition and the Hokua Prize, as well as the Fourth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure awarded by the national government in 1998. Furthermore, he established his position as a regular member of the Japan Kogei Association, and his works are housed in public art museums such as the Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art, the Komatsu City Museum, and the Nakamura Memorial Museum of Art, Kanazawa. This is an extremely rare work with almost no information available in overseas markets. This piece, which condenses Japan's peak craftsmanship, will be a valuable opportunity for true collectors around the world to incorporate Japanese aesthetics into their lives.
- Author: Kitade Seiko (Real name: Kitade Isamu, 1928-2011)
- Representative Career History: [1967] Won Special Selection at the 10th Nitten Exhibition, [1974] Won Special Selection at the 6th Nitten Exhibition, [1993] Received the Ishikawa Prefecture Cultural Merit Award, [1998] Awarded the Fourth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure, [Later years] Served as a Nitten judge, Nitten councilor, regular member of the Japan Kogei Association, and director of the Kyoto Craft Artists Association, among other positions.
- Museum Collections: Spencer Museum of Art (University of Kansas, USA), Minneapolis Institute of Art (USA), Mary Griggs Burke Collection (USA), Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art, Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art (Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art), Itsuo Museum of Art (Ikeda City, Osaka), Nakamura Memorial Museum of Art, Kanazawa, Komatsu City Museum, etc.
- Production Date: 2005–2011 (The mature peak of his final years, following his recognition as a Contemporary Master Craftsman)
- Condition: Very good (no chips, no cracks) Accessories: Original box (tomobako), wrapping cloth, and descriptive leaflet included.
- Material: Porcelain
- Dimensions: Diameter approx. 7.0 cm, Height approx. 9.5 cm
- Note: Even if the products provided by our shop are new and unused, they were produced a long time ago and are listed as second-hand items. Please understand and confirm that the products may have damage due to aging before considering a purchase.
