About the Museum

Kawai often created lidded objects, for which advanced skills were needed. This box is one of his works with lids. It has sharp edges, while the top of the lid is gently rounded. It has a strong presence. The namako (literally, “sea cucumber”) glaze is overlaid on the brown iron glaze giving the box a mystical and profound look. It is worthy of his reputation as a “wizard of glazes.”

Slip trailing is a technique used to draw a pattern on a clay object by applying liquid clay from a tube-shaped dispenser made of washi and other materials onto the surface of the object. It is called “Tsutsugaki” or “Itchin(g)” in Japanese. The lines and bold patterns created through this technique by Kawai testify to his unwavering commitment. The Bird Eating Flower motif depicted on this unique plate designed by himself often appears on handicrafts made in the Nara era, such as those included in the Shoso-in Treasures. This fact implies that Kawai was eager to learn from classics.

The rounded sides of the jar are covered with a netlike pattern. In the wax resist technique, a design is created on the surface of a clay object by using a brush to which wax is applied, then the entire surface is covered with glaze. The object is subsequently fired in a kiln, and after the wax is melt by the heat, the parts to which the glaze did not stick being repelled by the wax will appear as a pattern. Hamada created this work in the first half of his 30s, when he visited the Tsuboya kiln in Okinawa.

Hamada, in his later years, proactively created large bowls that were stately and had recessed rims. This work was created by boldly pouring white glaze and combining green and iron glazes to form a checkered pattern. The advanced skill used to instantly create a dynamic pattern by pouring glaze from a ladle can be acquired only through long years of experience. Hamada created this plate during his period of maturity as an artist.

The work depicts Christ in a white robe talking to people in bright sunlight against a pastoral landscape with a church-like building in the center. Rouault, who pursued religious themes, attributed importance to landscape paintings especially in the latter half of his life. The vivid colors, neat composition, and layers of paints, which were applied like a spiritual exercise, make the painting one of his best works.

The sculpture depicts a thinker seated on a rock, leaning forward and resting his chin on his right hand. The man is muscular like an athlete but is thinking deeply with calmness. The Thinker is one of Rodin’s most famous works. Some believe that it was originally intended to depict Dante Alighieri, an Italian poet and philosopher of the 13th century. The Thinker was cast in three sizes, and this work is of the smallest size.

Funaki drew a pattern on the surface of molten glass before glassblowing, which made the glassblowing very difficult. However, as demonstrated by this plate, the artist wonderfully handled, molten glass, which cools down and hardens very quickly. In the center of this plate, you can see a large leaf pattern, which is Funaki’s specialty along with the shades of colors on the lines drawn on the rim of the plate.

Funaki created a range of drinking vessels, including wine glasses, decanters, and roemer cups for white wine, which originated in Germany. This cup has round protruding ornaments on the surface, which you may associate with imposing architecture, although the cup has a height of less than 20 cm.