Living is work: Kanjiro Kawai and the flames of folk art
"Living is a Job - Kanjiro Kawai and the Flame of Mingei"
In a quiet alley in Gojozaka, Kyoto, there is a kiln that is still in operation today.
Standing there, the smell of the earth and memories of fire seem to speak to you quietly.
Kawai Kanjiro - a ceramic artist, a poet, and a man who lived by the philosophy of folk art.
His pottery is a reflection of life itself.
From Shimane to Kyoto - A Journey of Pottery
Kanjiro Kawai was born in Yasugi Town, Shimane Prefecture in 1890 and grew up in a carpenter's family.
He studied at the Ceramics Department of Tokyo Higher Technical School (now Tokyo Institute of Technology) and devoted himself to scientific research into glazes.
After graduating, he joined the Kyoto City Ceramics Testing Laboratory, where he researched over 10,000 types of glazes together with Shoji Hamada.
In 1920, he built Shokei Kiln in Gojozaka, Kyoto, and began creating pottery.
He initially attracted attention for his gorgeous works that made full use of techniques from Chinese Yi Dynasty ceramics, but he soon began to question the splendor of the work, and after meeting Yanagi Muneyoshi, he began to walk the path of folk art.
Transforming into Mingei: Living the "beauty of utility"
Kawai, who resonated deeply with Yanagi Soetsu's ideas of "anonymous beauty" and "beauty of utility," made a major shift in the direction of his work.
Rather than focusing on fame or skill, he began to aim for pottery that would fit into the lives of those who use it.
He said:
"Living is work, work is living"
These words embody the philosophy that creation and life are inextricably linked.
Tableware is meant to be used, not displayed.
And the more it is used, the more beautiful it becomes.
Kawai Kanjiro Memorial Museum: Memories of the beauty of everyday life
Kawai's residence and studio is currently open to the public as the Kawai Kanjiro Memorial Museum.
The house, which he designed himself, includes a potter's wheel, a climbing kiln, and a spacious living room, and was also a place where fellow folk art enthusiasts gathered to chat.
Not only pottery but also his poetry, calligraphy, sculptures, furniture, etc. are on display, giving a three-dimensional feel to Kawai's "beauty of life."
Kawai Kanjiro's Vessels: Poetry and the Shape of Flame
Kawai's works use a variety of glazes, including cinnabar glaze, gosu, and white flow glaze, and his patterns are full of strength and playfulness.
Plates, bowls, and teacups are all made to fit comfortably in the hands of the user.
"Beauty comes to life when it is used."
The vessels are poetry, memories of fire, and quiet voices in daily life.