Masato Yashiki

• Category
  Ceramics
• Techniques
  Overglaze enamel, Gold decoration, Silver decoration, Ash glaze
• Born
  1955 -
• Based in
  Ishikawa
• Membership
  Full member, Japan Kogei Association
  Member of the Kawabata Yasunari Academy

About the Artist

Going Beyond the Boundaries of Traditional Kutani Ware

While carrying on the tradition of Kutani ware, ceramic artist Masato Yashiki creates his artwork using various techniques without being bound by the existing techniques. His sensibility cultivated through music, movies and novels since he was young, brings rich narrative quality to his artwork. Since he started studying under his Kutani ware master, he has been creating ceramics for 50 years and his activities have been wide ranging. He has been highly evaluated at several exhibitions where well-known artists in Japan gather, including the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, Tobiten, and the Traditional Kutani Ware Art Crafts Exhibition.

Style

From a very young age, I have been drawing pictures and comics. Afterwards, I became interested in artists and their lives, and I learned how to sketch, listened to classical music, read novels and became absorbed in movies. When I was 20 years old, I became an apprentice to a Kutani ware master simply because I wanted to draw pictures. My life as a ceramic artist started from this point, and 50 years have passed since I became drawn into the charm of ceramics.
I also started learning the tea ceremony in my 30s. I think the most important and wonderful thing is for the the creator of the artwork and the user to be able to feel the story within the artwork and share their feelings.
I don't really care much about which methods and techniques to use, but I do care about the colors of the glaze on the clay, and I want to use underglaze blue and iron painting, overglaze enamel used in Kutani ware, and gold and silver decoration.
I would be truly happy if you could feel a sense of refinement in my work.

Biography

• 1955
  Born in Komatsu CIty, Ishikawa Prefecture
• 1975
  Studies under 2nd Generation Isokichi ASAKURA, Order of Culture awarded ceramic artist (becomes independent 10 years later)
• 1980
  Selected for The Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (Nitten) for the first time (selected 17 times from this year onward, Fellow Member of Nitten
• 1984
  Graduated from Ishikawa Kutani-ware Technical Training Center
• 1987
  First Solo Exhibition at Matsuya, Ginza
• 1992
  Studied under Soujun ISE, Master of Urasenke Tea Ceremony
• 1993
  Becomes close to Toshihiko YABU, Hosho Style Noh Actor
• 2002
  Produced ceramic panel at the entrance hall of the Ishikawa Prefectural Assembly building
• 2010
  Selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time
• 2011
  Becomes member of the Kawabata Yasunari Academy
• 2012
  Judge at the Nomi City Art Exhibition
• 2013
  Participated in the establishment of "Junseisha" led by ceramic artist Jun TAKEGOSHI and becomes a member
  Writes a column, "Avant-garde and Ceramics" in the catalogue of "Kawabata Yasunari / Higashiyama Kaii Collection" Exhibition
  "Junseisha Exhibition" at JR Osaka Mitsukoshi Isetan
• 2014
  Produced ceramic panel in commemoration of the Hokuriku Shinkansen business opening
  Judge at the Nomi City Art Exhibition
  Becomes Full Member of the Japan Kogei Association
  "Junseisha Exhibition" at Daimaru, Kyoto
  "Junseisha 3-person Exhibition" at JR Osaka Mitsukoshi Isetan
• 2015
  Kawabata Literature Hall 30th Anniversary "Kyoto and the World of 'The Tale of Genji' that Kawabata Yasunari was Drawn To" Exhibition (Masato YASHIKI Ceramic Exhibition) held at Ibaraki Municipal Kawabata Literature Hall
  "Junseisha Exhibition" at Tenmaya, Fukuyama (Hiroshima)
  "Junseisha Exhibition" at Fukuya, Hacchobori Main Store (Hiroshima)
• 2017
  Solo Exhibition at Keikyu Department Store
  Solo Exhibition at Isetan Shinjuku
• 2018
  Becomes Administrative Director of Kutani Overglaze Decoration Cooperative Association
  "Junseisha Exhibition" at Ginza Wako Hall
• 2019
  Selected for Tobiten for the first time
• Awarded 13 times, 5 pieces of artwork purchased and dedicated
  Solo Exhibitions in Tokyo, Osaka, Kanazawa etc.
  Producing artwork in Kutani Chinaware Ceramic Art Village, Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture
  Full Member of the Japan Kogei Association
  Member of the Kawabata Yasunari Academy

Awards

• 1991
  Received the Excellence Award for "Gold and Silver Decorated Covered Vessel" at the The Traditional Kutani Ware Art Crafts Exhibition
• 2021
  Received the Excellence Award for "Gold and Silver Decorated Rectangular Bowl with Camellia Design" at the The Traditional Kutani Ware Art Crafts Exhibition

Official Site / Social Media etc.