Seifu Yohei and his Contemporaries: Meiji Ceramics in the Scholarly Taste
19th December 2009 – 25th April 2010
The Museum of East Asian Art’s new exhibition “Seifu Yohei and His Contemporaries: Meiji Porcelain in the Chinese Imperial and Literati Taste” opens to the public on Saturday 19th December 2009. This exhibition showcases the beautiful collection of Meiji period Ceramics made by Seifu Yohei (1851 – 1914) and other contemporary potters and will be on display to the public until 25th April 2010.
A website created by the Art Research Center of Ritsumeikan University to accompany this groundbreaking exhibition can be accessed by clicking here
In the mid to late 19th century Japan opened up worldwide trade relations, ending a 200 year policy of seclusion. As a result not only were Japanese ceramics influenced by a wealth of new aesthetics, but it also exposed Japanese artists and craftsmen to international expos where their work could be showcased. This pushed the potters to experiment with new glazes and techniques that would move on from the designs of the past which now seemed antiquated in comparison to the Art Nouveau motifs wowing Europe.
“Seifu Yohei and His Contemporaries: Meiji Porcelain in the Chinese Imperial and Literati Taste” focuses on work of Seifu Yohei III, and his contemporaries Kozan, Sozan, Tozan. Although these contemporary artists were also widely acknowledged and acclaimed in and out of Japan, with Kozan in particular winning accolades abroad, Seifu was unique in his focus on the domestic Japanese market.
One of the most highly praised potters to emerge during this, the Meiji Period, Seifu was born to a family of Kyoto potters, eventually taking over the family business. Despite the influences from Europe felt by his contemporaries, Seifu’s interest lay in Chinese porcelain, and early in his career he mainly produced Chinese Ming and Song-style porcelain. Seifu’s main market was domestic, where he won many awards and became the first potter to be designated an Imperial Household Artist – the highest official accolade to be awarded to top artists and craftsmen.
The Museum’s Honorary Keeper, Brian McElney says that “although we have had Japanese pieces in various exhibitions this is the first solely Japanese exhibition that the Museum has done in the past few years. Some of the pieces are at once understated and breathtaking; we’re very much looking forward to having them on display.”
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