Special feature “The World of White Porcelain”|Artist #04 Living National Treasure Manji Inoue

井上萬二、井上萬二窯、Manji INOUE、人間国宝、有田焼、白磁

With the theme of ``The World of White Porcelain'' this summer, we will be introducing white porcelain works perfect for the hot summer in a series with four artists, featuring transparent white skin and a cool pale blue glaze.

The author who concludes the series is Living National Treasure Manji Inoue (author living in Arita Town, Saga Prefecture). She is a living national treasure of the supreme "white porcelain" with a dignified personality and smooth, pure white skin without any extravagant decorations, expressing beauty only with her pure white skin and shape. The pieces, which are neat but also give a sense of softness and warmth, are created using advanced potter's wheel technology, and the simple beauty of their shapes has come to be known as the finest white porcelain, with its glossy white background. The dignified appearance gives off a unique presence.

Manji Inoue, Manji Inoue kiln, Manji INOUE, Living National Treasure, Arita ware, white porcelain

Manji Inoue studied the Kakiemon style of painting brightly colored paintings on white porcelain under the 14th generation Sakaida Kakiemon, as well as Okugawa Chuemon, who was hailed as a great master of white porcelain pottery wheel making, and learned the techniques of white porcelain production. has been learned. After that, he continued to research porcelain molding and glazes, mastering traditional white porcelain production techniques, and received awards such as the Minister of Labor's Award for ``Modern Master Craftsman'' and the Minister of Education Award at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Finally, in 1995, he was recognized as a holder of white porcelain, an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure).

We would like to introduce the works of Manji Inoue, who has mastered traditional white porcelain production techniques and has come to be known as the finest white porcelain. In order to highlight the beauty of the white porcelain, the work we will be introducing this time is a work in which a flower pattern is engraved into the white porcelain, and the glaze is applied to express the beauty of the white color and the pattern. This is a one-of-a-kind piece made by Manji Inoue, a holder of important intangible cultural property "white porcelain," and is a one-of-a-kind piece in the world.

*All are made using the highest quality raw materials (Amakusa pottery stone) and formed on a potter's wheel.The cup capacity is approximately 120ml.

 

Made by Manji Inoue | White porcelain green glaze peony carving tea bowl (one-of-a-kind)

White porcelain green glaze peony carving tea bowl, Manji Inoue, Manji Inoue kiln, Manji INOUE, Living National Treasure, Arita ware, white porcelain
White porcelain green glaze peony carving tea bowl, Manji Inoue, Manji Inoue kiln, Manji INOUE, Living National Treasure, Arita ware, white porcelain
White porcelain green glaze peony carving tea bowl, Manji Inoue, Manji Inoue kiln, Manji INOUE, Living National Treasure, Arita ware, white porcelain

This piece has a peony pattern engraved on its moist pure white skin and is finished with a soft green glaze. Because it is a tea bowl, the diameter of the rim is wider than that of a coffee bowl, allowing you to enjoy the color and aroma of the black tea even more (the wider diameter makes it easier for heat to escape). In addition, the base is raised to match the diameter of the mouth rim, giving the shape a sense of beauty and elegance. The peony pattern on the tea bowl is drawn on both the front and back.

 

Made by Manji Inoue | Blue and white porcelain rose carved coffee bowl (one-of-a-kind)

Blue and white porcelain rose carving coffee bowl, Manji Inoue, Manji Inoue kiln, Manji INOUE, living national treasure, Arita ware, white porcelain
Blue and white porcelain rose carving coffee bowl, Manji Inoue, Manji Inoue kiln, Manji INOUE, living national treasure, Arita ware, white porcelain
Blue and white porcelain rose carving coffee bowl, Manji Inoue, Manji Inoue kiln, Manji INOUE, living national treasure, Arita ware, white porcelain

A rose pattern is engraved into the soft green glaze that is applied to the entire piece, creating a pure white rose. In addition, Manji Inoue's characteristic shape that tightens toward the hill gives a sharp impression, making it a stylish coffee bowl. The rose pattern drawn on the coffee bowl is only on the front.

 

Made by Manji Inoue | White porcelain green glaze camellia carving coffee bowl (one-of-a-kind)

White porcelain green glaze camellia carving coffee bowl, Manji Inoue, Manji Inoue kiln, Manji INOUE, Living National Treasure, Arita ware, white porcelain
White porcelain green glaze camellia carving coffee bowl, Manji Inoue, Manji Inoue kiln, Manji INOUE, Living National Treasure, Arita ware, white porcelain
White porcelain green glaze camellia carving coffee bowl, Manji Inoue, Manji Inoue kiln, Manji INOUE, Living National Treasure, Arita ware, white porcelain

This piece has a camellia pattern engraved on its moist pure white skin and is finished with a soft green glaze. The cup has a rounded shape that resembles a camellia, giving the coffee bowl a soft and gentle impression. The camellia pattern on the coffee bowl is drawn on both the front and back.

 

Made by Manji Inoue | White porcelain green glaze cherry blossom carving coffee bowl (one-of-a-kind)

White porcelain green glaze cherry carving coffee bowl, Manji Inoue, Manji Inoue kiln, Manji INOUE, living national treasure, Arita ware, white porcelain
White porcelain green glaze cherry carving coffee bowl, Manji Inoue, Manji Inoue kiln, Manji INOUE, living national treasure, Arita ware, white porcelain
White porcelain green glaze cherry carving coffee bowl, Manji Inoue, Manji Inoue kiln, Manji INOUE, living national treasure, Arita ware, white porcelain

This piece has a pattern of cherry blossoms and branches engraved on its moist, pure white skin, and is finished with a pale pink and pale green glaze. In addition, Manji Inoue's characteristic shape that tightens toward the hill gives it a sharp impression, making it a stylish coffee bowl. The cherry blossom pattern drawn on the coffee bowl is only on the front.

 

Manji Inoue's profile and works are explained in detail below, so please take a look. https://andpolite.com/en-usa/collections/manji-inoue

 

Manji Inoue, Manji Inoue kiln, Manji INOUE, Living National Treasure, Arita ware, white porcelain

Note: All of the works introduced this time are the works of Manji Inoue himself. All works come with the same box and are inscribed with the inscription "Made by Manji", which is a proof of the person who made them (if the work is made in a kiln, it will be inscribed with "Manji").

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