{"product_id":"450","title":"Brussels World's Fair Grand Prix Winning Artist, Sodeisha Member Kumakura Junkichi (熊倉順吉), Oribe Glazed Cylindrical Ashtray, Cigar Ashtray #450","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003eThis Oribe glazed ashtray is a piece by \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/maker-kumakura-junkichi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eKumakura Junkichi\u003c\/a\u003e (熊倉順吉, 1920–1985), a master who left a legendary mark on the avant-garde ceramic art world of modern Japan. Born in Kyoto in 1920 (Taisho 9) and passing away in 1985 (Showa 60), Kumakura was a pioneer who led post-war Japanese ceramic history. After thoroughly studying modernist design and architectural structural expression at the Architectural Department of Kyoto Municipal First Industrial School and the Design Department of Kyoto Higher School of Arts and Crafts (currently Kyoto Institute of Technology), Kumakura pursued the path of ceramics. The artist studied under Fukuda Rikisaburo at Shosai Toen in Kyoto, and was further instilled with the creative spirit under \u003ca href=\"\/en\/search?q=%22%E5%AF%8C%E6%9C%AC%E6%86%B2%E5%90%89%22\u0026amp;type=product\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eTomimoto Kenkichi\u003c\/a\u003e, a master of modern ceramics and a \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/living-national-treasures\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eLiving National Treasure\u003c\/a\u003e. Inheriting the strict modernist philosophy from Tomimoto Kenkichi of \"not creating patterns from existing patterns,\" combined with Kumakura's own background in design and architecture, the artist's style stood out uniquely in the ceramic art world at that time. In 1957, the artist joined \"\u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/sodeisha\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eSodeisha\u003c\/a\u003e,\" the legendary avant-garde ceramic group formed by \u003ca href=\"\/en\/search?q=%22%E5%85%AB%E6%9C%A8%E4%B8%80%E5%A4%AB%22\u0026amp;type=product\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eYagi Kazuo\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/maker-suzuki-osamu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eSuzuki Osamu\u003c\/a\u003e, and others, becoming a member (Dojin) and reigning at the pinnacle of Japanese ceramics as a central figure. Kumakura's artistry gained high international acclaim, winning the Grand Prix at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair in Belgium and the Silver Prize at the 1962 Prague International Ceramics Exhibition in Czechoslovakia, with works publicly collected in institutions such as The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo and The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003eTitled \"Oribe Glazed Ashtray\" (Oribe-yu Haizara) on the original wooden box (Tomobako), this work is a masterpiece where Kumakura's architectural modeling thought and the modern elevation of traditional glazes crystalize splendidly. Measuring approximately 14 cm in height and 11 cm in diameter, its powerful cylindrical form highlights its structural backbone as an upright entity unique to Kumakura, an artist with an architectural background. The Oribe glaze covering the entire vessel draws a delicate gradient from a dense deep green brimming with fluid luster to yellow-green where the glaze pools, and deep dark green that seems to absorb light. Particularly breathtaking is the decoration on the top surface, where deep, geometric relief (sculptural relief) is meticulously carved radially toward the central elliptical opening. The flow of Oribe glaze into this three-dimensional groove structure creates a powerful contrast of light and shadow, high-dimensionally fusing graphic design intelligence with sculptural beauty. The bottom of the piece is left as unglazed raw clay (Rotai), where a square stamp reading \"Jun\" (順) is confirmed, indicating an authentic work by Kumakura Junkichi. While other members of Sodeisha moved toward pure objets that completely rejected the vessel form, Kumakura maintained the beauty of utility and form as a vessel while pushing the boundaries of avant-garde expression under a personal artistic philosophy. Because the artist's career as a potter was relatively short and many of Kumakura's major works are housed in public museums, the number of authentic pieces circulating in the private market is extremely limited, making this an exquisite item of very high rarity as a world-class collector's piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003ePossessing a commanding cylindrical form and refined coloration, our shop proposes this piece as a cigar ashtray to adorn high-end spaces for enjoying aged spirits and whisky, tailored to modern lifestyles. The deep radial grooves carved on the top surface provide an ideal structure for resting cigars, while the central opening allows ash and butts to be neatly collected within the deep interior, perfectly balancing practicality with aesthetic beauty. The heavy, deep green Oribe glaze and three-dimensional sculptural form exude overwhelming dignity alongside glasses of aged amber spirits or smoky whisky. Imbued with the spirit of a master who pursued beauty without a single compromise, this vessel is a supreme craft piece that brings a defining presence and the refinement of modern art to daily moments of luxury.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/maker-kumakura-junkichi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eKumakura Junkichi\u003c\/a\u003e (熊倉順吉, 1920–1985)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRepresentative Career Highlights: \u003c\/strong\u003e[1955] Received the 1st Japan Ceramic Society Award, [1957] Joined the avant-garde ceramic group \"Sodeisha\" and became a member, [1958] Won the Grand Prix at the Brussels World's Fair in Belgium, [1962] Won the Silver Prize at the Prague International Ceramics Exhibition in Czechoslovakia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublic Collections: \u003c\/strong\u003eThe National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto; The Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Shigaraki (Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park); Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu; etc.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late 1960s-1970s (Mature period as a Sodeisha member)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eItem Condition: \u003c\/strong\u003eVery Good (No chips, no cracks)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccessories: \u003c\/strong\u003eDedicated original wooden box (Tomobako) included (with artist's calligraphy and red seal)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"10\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial: \u003c\/strong\u003eCeramics (Oribe glaze)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"11\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Diameter approx. 11.0 cm, Height approx. 14.0 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"12\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote: \u003c\/strong\u003eEven if the products provided by our shop are unused, they were produced a very long time ago and are all listed as pre-owned items. Please understand and confirm that the item may have age-related wear before considering your purchase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease check the photos:\u003c\/strong\u003e We prepare every description with great care, but errors may still remain in the text. Please examine the photos carefully before purchasing. Where the photos and the description differ, please take the photos as the basis for the product information.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Antique Liquor","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48359790313659,"sku":null,"price":45100.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/0510\/8923\/files\/IMG_3135_result.jpg?v=1790256259","url":"https:\/\/antiqueliquor1926.com\/en\/products\/450","provider":"Antique Liquor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}