| 1933 (Showa 8) |
Born in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture. (After leaving Kanazawa College of Art before graduation, studied under his grandfather, Tokuda Yasokichi I, and his father, Tokuda Yasokichi II.) |
|---|---|
| 1971 (Showa 46) |
Exhibited "Saiyu Hachi" (Glaze-enameled Bowl) for the first time at the 18th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, winning the Excellence Award and the NHK President's Award. |
| 1977 (Showa 52) |
Exhibited "Yosai Hachi" (Luminous Glaze Bowl) at the 24th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, winning the Grand Prize and the Japan Art Crafts Association President's Award. |
| 1978 (Showa 53) |
Appointed as a special exhibitor and judge at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition. |
| 1986 (Showa 61) |
Held a solo exhibition in Cairo, Egypt (subsequently held numerous overseas exhibitions). |
| 1988 (Showa 63) |
Succeeded to the name Tokuda Yasokichi III. |
| 1990 (Heisei 2) |
Won the Grand Prix at the '90 International Ceramics Exhibition. |
| 1991 (Heisei 3) |
Recommended exhibitor at the 11th Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition with "Sosei" (Creation), winning the Grand Prix and the Prince Chichibu Memorial Cup. Received the Foreign Minister's Commendation. |
| 1993 (Heisei 5) |
Awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon. |
| 1997 (Heisei 9) |
Won the Grand Prix at the 10th MOA Mokichi Okada Award Exhibition. Designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property ("Saiyu Porcelain"), commonly known as a Living National Treasure. Named an Honorary Citizen of Komatsu City. |
| 1998 (Heisei 10) |
"Yosai Senmon Tsubo" (Luminous Glaze Line-Patterned Vase) acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art (USA). |
| 2000 (Heisei 12) |
Held a solo exhibition at the Istituto Giapponese di Cultura in Rome. |
| 2005 (Heisei 17) |
"Yosai Tsubo: Kanga" (Luminous Glaze Vase: Ganges) displayed at the entrance of the Japan Gallery in The British Museum. Appointed Chairman of the Kutani Ware Technique Preservation Society (Ishikawa Prefecture Intangible Cultural Property). |
| 2007 (Heisei 19) |
Selected as the sole living artist featured in the Agency for Cultural Affairs' "Japanese Ceramics Exhibition" in Portugal, displaying "Yosai Kabun Hachi" (Luminous Glaze Floral Pattern Bowl). Delivered a commemorative lecture at "The Beauty of Craftsmanship Exhibition" organized by The British Museum in London. |
| 2009 (Heisei 21) |
Passed away (posthumously conferred the Senior Fifth Rank). |
Kutani Ware Kutani Sansai Kyokumon Vase / Tokuda Yasokichi III (Living National Treasure)
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Kutani Ware Kutani Sansai Kyokumon Vase / Tokuda Yasokichi III (Living National Treasure)
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Work introduction
Elegant form and chromatic melody — "Kutani Sansai Kyokumon Tsubo" (Kutani Three-Color Curved Line Vase), a mystical masterpiece spun by Tokuda Yasokichi III.
Paving new horizons for modern Kutani ware and recognized as a Living National Treasure, Tokuda Yasokichi III created this masterwork, "Kutani Sansai Kyokumon Tsubo," where inherited tradition and innovative aesthetic vision flawlessly merge.
First to captivate the eye is the enthralling color gradation. Bewitching indigo blue, clear sky blue, and a purple so deep it might be mistaken for black resonate magnificently across the surface of the vessel. This rich purple tightens the overall composition, heightening the beauty of the indigo and sharpening the contrast with lighter tones, lending a mystical aura to the piece. This miraculously lustrous, beautiful coloration stems from Tokuda Yasokichi III's supreme skill in refining precise glaze combinations and impeccably controlling kiln temperatures exceeding 1,000°C.
Attention should also be drawn to the form of the vase. The streamlined edge lines created by its shape intersect with the graceful downward flow of the glaze, bestowing even greater dynamism and astonishing depth upon the color gradations. It is fascinating how the form serves to highlight the beauty of the glaze color. Showing complex expressions depending on the angle of light, this piece strips away painted decoration to its absolute limit, expressing a cosmic profundity through color and streamlined form alone—an immortal artwork that breathed new life into the history of Kutani ware.
*Please note that the included wooden box shows some minor staining due to age. We ask for your understanding in treasuring this as part of the authentic character of the original box (signed and inscribed by the artist at the time of creation).
Title of Work: Kutani Sansai Kyokumon Tsubo (Kutani Three-Color Curved Line Vase)
Dimensions: Dia. 26 × H 35 cm
Box Type: Wooden box with cord (Kiribako)
Tokuda Yasokichi III, Living National Treasure
Living National Treasure Representing Modern Kutani: Expressing Breathtaking Beauty Through Tonal Gradations of Color
Tokuda Yasokichi III, designated a Living National Treasure, created exquisite color harmonies through "Saiyu Porcelain" (Glaze-enameled Porcelain)—a technique of applying distinctively formulated colored glazes.
The deep transparency and luster born from the glassy nature of his glazes, paired with meticulously crafted color gradations, emit a singular beauty that instantly spellbinds beholders. Capturing a vast cosmic scale within porcelain, his oeuvre elevated Kutani ware to modern fine art and continues to shine with eternal brilliance both in Japan and internationally.
Biography
| 1933 (Showa 8) |
Born in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture. (After leaving Kanazawa College of Art before graduation, studied under his grandfather, Tokuda Yasokichi I, and his father, Tokuda Yasokichi II.) |
|---|---|
| 1971 (Showa 46) |
Exhibited "Saiyu Hachi" (Glaze-enameled Bowl) for the first time at the 18th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, winning the Excellence Award and the NHK President's Award. |
| 1977 (Showa 52) |
Exhibited "Yosai Hachi" (Luminous Glaze Bowl) at the 24th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, winning the Grand Prize and the Japan Art Crafts Association President's Award. |
| 1978 (Showa 53) |
Appointed as a special exhibitor and judge at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition. |
| 1986 (Showa 61) |
Held a solo exhibition in Cairo, Egypt (subsequently held numerous overseas exhibitions). |
| 1988 (Showa 63) |
Succeeded to the name Tokuda Yasokichi III. |
| 1990 (Heisei 2) |
Won the Grand Prix at the '90 International Ceramics Exhibition. |
| 1991 (Heisei 3) |
Recommended exhibitor at the 11th Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition with "Sosei" (Creation), winning the Grand Prix and the Prince Chichibu Memorial Cup. Received the Foreign Minister's Commendation. |
| 1993 (Heisei 5) |
Awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon. |
| 1997 (Heisei 9) |
Won the Grand Prix at the 10th MOA Mokichi Okada Award Exhibition. Designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property ("Saiyu Porcelain"), commonly known as a Living National Treasure. Named an Honorary Citizen of Komatsu City. |
| 1998 (Heisei 10) |
"Yosai Senmon Tsubo" (Luminous Glaze Line-Patterned Vase) acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art (USA). |
| 2000 (Heisei 12) |
Held a solo exhibition at the Istituto Giapponese di Cultura in Rome. |
| 2005 (Heisei 17) |
"Yosai Tsubo: Kanga" (Luminous Glaze Vase: Ganges) displayed at the entrance of the Japan Gallery in The British Museum. Appointed Chairman of the Kutani Ware Technique Preservation Society (Ishikawa Prefecture Intangible Cultural Property). |
| 2007 (Heisei 19) |
Selected as the sole living artist featured in the Agency for Cultural Affairs' "Japanese Ceramics Exhibition" in Portugal, displaying "Yosai Kabun Hachi" (Luminous Glaze Floral Pattern Bowl). Delivered a commemorative lecture at "The Beauty of Craftsmanship Exhibition" organized by The British Museum in London. |
| 2009 (Heisei 21) |
Passed away (posthumously conferred the Senior Fifth Rank). |
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Free shipping anywhere in Japan. Safe and secure delivery via Yu-Pack.
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We deliver to major countries. Orders up to 200,000 yen (excluding tax) can be shipped. Shipping costs will be calculated separately after your order is placed.
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We also accept orders for plates and wooden tags (for a fee), making them a special, one-of-a-kind gift.