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Vessel

early 1970s

Japanese, born 1934

Professor Howard Kottler (1930-1989) helped change the course of Yanagihara's career when he gave the artist a tiny bottle of metallic glaze as a Christmas present. With this gift-and Kottler's suggestion that the Japanese artist explore new techniques while in America-Yanagihara began to experiment with whimsical forms, bright colors and industrial-strength metallic glazes. This vase, made during the artist's second stay in the U.S. from 1972-74, is representative of works from the konyu kinginsai series, in which the artist uses dark blue, gold and silver glazes to create playful, visually appealing forms.

Stoneware with slip

11 x 11 in. (27.9 x 27.9cm)

Gift of Bill Calderhead and Hiro Kawasaki in honor of Yukiko Shirahara

2008.38

Provenance: Purchased by donor from artist's exhibition, Seattle, 1974

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Asian Art Museum, "Transforming Traditions: Japanese and Korean Art since 1800", May 23, 2009 - February 21, 2010

Seattle, Washington, Pottery Northwest Gallery, 1974

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