SOLD
Inscribed wooden box (Kiwame-bako)
Period: Showa Era
Dimensions: 13.5 cm × 13 cm, Height 34 cm
Description
This bellflower vase is a sublime example of "Kokisai" glazing, a distinctive artistic territory reached by Kiyomizu Rokube VI in his final years. The bellflowers are rendered with a dignified presence amidst a soft, mist-like texture. Having established this new technique after the age of 70, this masterpiece is a fruit of the artist’s relentless spirit of inquiry—radiating both serenity and profound elegance.
A Legacy Entrusted: The Story of Succession
This work is etched with the memory of a fateful moment when the prestigious title of Kiyomizu Rokube was passed to the next generation.
While the vase itself was fully completed by the hands of Rokube VI, he passed away suddenly in April 1980 during a retrospective exhibition of the family's lineage in Tokyo, before he could add his own signature to the box.
Following the master’s unexpected death, his successor—who assumed the title of Kiyomizu Rokube VII—confirmed the authenticity of this final masterpiece and provided the Kiwame-bako (authenticated box). The inscription, dated "Summer, 1980," was written amidst deep sorrow for the loss of his mentor and father. It stands as a testament to the new master’s solemn resolve to protect and carry forward the family’s name and artistic legacy.
This vase is a rare historical treasure—a vessel where the souls of two masters unite in their shared devotion to preserving the traditions of Kiyomizu-yaki for the future.
Rokubei KIYOMIZU VI
1901-1980
The eldest son of Rokubei Shimizu V. He took over the family business of Kiyomizu ware in 1945. Awarded the Art Academy Prize in 1951 for his "Gengama Souzou Vase" and the Order of Cultural Merit in 1951. He is a member of the Art Academy.
Contact about the Item