Vessel
early 1970s
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 27.9 cm)
Gift of Bill Calderhead and Hiro Kawasaki in honor of Yukiko Shirahara
2008.38
Provenance: Purchased by donor from artist's exhibition, Seattle, 1974
