Takemura Toyonori is a potter born in Nagasaki Prefecture in 1957 (Showa 32) who aspired to the path of ceramics from a young age. Takemura traveled from Nagasaki to the land of Bizen and began a career with exceptional precocity, completing training at the Bizen Pottery Center in 1974 at the young age of 17. Subsequently, the artist studied under Master Kato Shuntei, a renowned potter of Seto and Mino ware, where Takemura deeply cultivated traditional glazing techniques. In 1979 (Showa 54), Takemura established the Hotoku Kiln in Wake District, Okayama Prefecture, and became independent. While training in the traditional world of Bizen ware, characterized by unglazed, high-fired stoneware, Takemura did not remain confined within those limits. The artist has continued to set new challenges as an artist by creating expressions that fuse the glazing techniques inherited from Takemura's mentor with Takemura's own unique sensibility.
The Ofuke glaze (Ofuke-yu) used in this work is a transparent ash glaze technique originating from ceramics fired at the Ofuke-maru within Nagoya Castle during the Edo period. Takemura applied intricate carved patterns to the surface of the vessel and allowed the glaze to pool thickly in those areas, creating a beautiful gradation of deep bluish-green. The depth of the glaze pools, which gather in the sculptural irregularities, can be described as an art of controlling light that could only be achieved by an artist like Takemura, who knows the struggle between Bizen clay and fire intimately and has learned the essence of glazes under Master Kato Shuntei. This work is a masterpiece that demonstrates a unique realm, fusing the powerful sense of modeling cultivated in Bizen by an artist from Nagasaki with refined traditional beauty.
At our shop, we redefine this suiteki (water dropper), originally created as a calligraphy tool to drop water one drop at a time, as a water dropper for perfectly opening the flavors of rare old liquors and single malt whiskies. Its usage is extremely elegant and rational. By covering the air hole at the top of the body with a fingertip and slightly loosening the pressing force, the flow of air into the interior can be adjusted on a millimeter scale, allowing for the free control of water addition with single-drop precision. The intuitive operational feel through the fingertip, which can never be experienced with digital instruments, leads to a deeper time of dialogue with the whisky.
The author, Takemura Toyonori, is an artist who continues to pursue a personal aesthetic. Growing up in the natural environment of Nagasaki, honing skills in the harsh environment of Bizen from the teenage years, and studying glazes under a master craftsman, Takemura's journey is engraved in every piece as a definite will. The production period dates back to the artist's mature stage from the 1990s to the 2000s, when Takemura's techniques were most refined. The work comes with the original wooden box (tomobako) and a bookmark (shiori) containing the artist's personal biography. The condition of the work is excellent, making it a one-of-a-kind collection that connects traditional functional beauty with a modern lifestyle.
- Author: Takemura Toyonori (武村豊徳, 1957–)
- Representative Activities: Born in Nagasaki Prefecture. Completed training at the Bizen Pottery Center at age 17, then studied under Master Kato Shuntei, a master of Seto and Mino ware. In 1979, established the Hotoku Kiln in Wake District, Okayama Prefecture, and became independent. Established a unique style fusing the modeling sense of Bizen ware with traditional glazing techniques. Designated as a Regular Member of the Japan Art Crafts Association in 1984. Received numerous awards and selections in exhibitions such as the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition and the Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Takemura has established a unique style combining the traditional Ofuke technique with intricate carved patterns and is highly regarded both in Japan and abroad as an artist who conveys the prestige of modern Mino ceramics.
- Public Collections: Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art, Bizen City Museum of Ceramics, etc.
- Production Date: 1990s–2000s
- Condition: Excellent (no chips, no cracks)
- Accessories: Tomobako (original wooden box with artist's signature and seal), Shiori (artist biography)
- Material: Ceramics (Mino-ware style, Ofuke glaze, carved pattern)
- Dimensions: Width approx. 6.5 cm, Height approx. 5.5 cm
- Note: Even if items are unused, they are listed as used due to their vintage nature from an old production period. Please understand and confirm potential age-related wear before considering a purchase.
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