The Mystery of Aoyama Jiro, a Beautiful Man of Nobody
A beautiful man who is nobody - the mystery of Aoyama Jiro
"I want to be a person without a title"
Aoyama Jiro, who said this, was neither a critic nor a book designer, but simply a "person who contemplates beauty." His way of life, like a seasonal word, captures the atmosphere of the times, yet leaves room for explanation.
An Eye for Beauty: A Passion for Joseon Ceramics and Antiques
Aoyama was involved in the Mingei movement along with Yanagi Muneyoshi and was a pioneer who discovered the beauty of Joseon porcelain. His aesthetic sense went beyond mere appraisal and allowed him to see the "soul of things."
"Beauty is the creation of the person who sees it" -- Jiro Aoyama
The tableware he purchased in Korea was not just an antique, but a piece of poetry that blended seamlessly into the user's life, familiar to the user and speaking to them every time sake was poured into it.
Book design as poetry: Resonance with Nakahara Chuya
Aoyama designed the cover of Nakahara Chuya's "Songs of the Past." The bleeding of ink, the breath of white space, the feel of the paper—all of these are extensions of poetry. For him, the cover design may have been "the poem to read before reading it."
Aoyama Gakuin - A place to discuss beauty
At his home in Aoyama, Hideo Kobayashi, Tetsutaro Kawakami, Shohei Ooka and others gathered to discuss beauty over Karatsu sake cups. There were no titles or ranks, only "eyes" and "words" intersecting.
Beauty and Life: Philosophy as a High-Class Idler
Aoyama was not bound by a career and was so free that he even called his debts a "bankbook of gratitude." For him, life was a vessel for beauty, and art was not a means to earn food and clothing.
Editor's Note: Aoyama Jiro and the "Color Name"
Aoyama's way of life is similar to the world of seasonal words and color names woven by WABISUKE. For example, like the "red oak," it possesses both strength and softness, sometimes fiery, sometimes quiet.
His ideas and aesthetic sense still live on in his poetry, paintings, and pottery. If Aoyama were alive today, he would surely read WABISUKE's blog, smile, and say, "This is great," with a sake cup in hand.