Hello everyone reading this blog.
My name is Yokoyama, the owner of Koto Potter.
Ogata Kenzan is an important historical potter who is indispensable when talking about Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki.
Although he was a potter from the Edo period, many of his works still remain, and his designs are still used today as "Kenzan copies."
Due to the great influence he has had on Japanese pottery, some of his works have been designated Important Cultural Properties.
This time, we would like to explain the master craftsman Ogata Kenzan from the perspectives of a ceramic master, a cultural figure, and a producer!
1. "Kenzan" as a pottery company name
Ogata Shinsho (1663-1743) was a potter of the Edo period.
Although the name "Kenzan" is now known as his personal name, it was originally the name of the pottery studio he founded.
(A square plate made in collaboration with his brother, Ogata Korin. On the front is a painting of Huangshan Valley by Korin and Korin's signature.)
(The back of the same plate has a Chinese poem by Kenzan and an inscription of deep reflection.)
The name "Kenzan" comes from the location of Narutaki Izumidani, where he established his kiln.
The name comes from the mountain being located in the "Kan" (northwest) direction as seen from central Kyoto, and makes use of this geographical feature.
The name "Kenzan" was no longer merely the name of the kiln, but came to symbolize the works and aesthetics created by Ogata Kenzan, and became widely known as Kenzan ware.
The sound and impression of this name may also have been one of the reasons why his work became so widely known.
2. Ogata Kenzan as a man of letters
The mid-Edo period (first half of the 18th century), when Ogata Kenzan was active, was a time when urban culture matured, inheriting the flow of Genroku culture, a period of long peace.
During this period, not only samurai and nobles but also townspeople and merchants began to actively participate in cultural activities such as the tea ceremony, painting, calligraphy, and waka poetry.
(Made by Kenzan. Waka poems are painted on rectangular plates.)
(The box that holds 10 square plates has an inscription by 81-year-old Kenzan Shinsho.)
With the economic success of merchants and artisans as a backdrop, a culture of learning and enjoying hobbies flourished.
In particular, the tea ceremony spread beyond mere taste and became a venue for social interaction and display of culture.
The conversations that take place in a tea room and the choice of utensils used reflect the owner's knowledge and sensibilities.
Although tea utensils were practical items, their beauty and cultural value were valued, and they came to symbolize culture and status.
It is believed that Ogata Kenzan's works were also highly praised within this cultural background.
Furthermore, knowledge of Chinese poetry and waka poetry became a way of demonstrating one's status as an intellectual, and went hand in hand with the tea ceremony and painting and calligraphy.
The poems, prose and floral designs on Kenzan's pottery were attractive decorations for the wealthy and intellectuals of the time, and also reflected common cultural values.
(Cherry blossoms and spring flowers painted by Kenzan. It is clear that he had a strong background in waka poetry and painting.)
Furthermore, during this period, townspeople culture matured, especially in urban areas, as a successor to Genroku culture.
Kyoto in particular developed as a place where intellectuals and artists from all over the country gathered, and played the role of a cultural crossroads.
Kenzan also reflected the diverse influences he gained from this environment in his own work, producing pottery that appeals to a wider audience.
Ogata Kenzan was born as the son of a kimono merchant in Otana, and grew up in a privileged environment where he acquired many cultures, including calligraphy and Zen.
In the midst of a changing era, Kenzan used his knowledge and sense to elevate pottery from a mere tool to a "canvas for expressing culture."
His works combined an intellectual aspect that created a dialogue with the user and beautiful decoration, making them special objects to the people of his time.
3. Ogata Kenzan as a potter
Ogata Kenzan's pottery studio produced a wide range of pottery, including tea ceremony utensils such as matcha bowls and water jars, as well as tableware and vases.
At the time, pottery as tea ceremony utensils and decorative items was considered to have cultural value, and his works were in line with that trend.
(Made by Kenzan. An incense holder decorated with a picture of a camellia)
Kenzan adopted a division of labor system in which he left molding and firing to other craftsmen, while he himself focused on design and painting.
In modern terms, it would be more accurate to say that he is involved in pottery making as a designer or producer.
In any case, the free and vigorous brushwork and sophisticated composition of the poems and paintings on the vessels fascinated many people.
His works were not simply decorative pieces; they had a warmth that suggested a dialogue with the user.
4. Rinpa aesthetics and innovative design
Ogata Kenzan's works are strongly influenced by the Rinpa aesthetic established by his brother, Ogata Korin.
The bold compositions and decorativeness seen in Korin's lacquerware and paintings are also inherited in Kenzan's pottery.
Kenzan also further developed the Rinpa aesthetic, pursuing his own unique style of expression within the three-dimensional canvas of pottery.
His works often feature designs based on Chinese poetry, Japanese poetry, landscape paintings, and flowers.
These elements resonated with the tea ceremony culture and love of nature of the time, and deeply moved those who used them.
In particular, the poems and paintings on the vessels are a wonderful fusion of Kenzan's intellect and sensibility, bringing new discoveries and joy to those who held the vessels in their hands.
5. The historical background and Kenzan's brand strategy
(Exhibited at the Vienna World's Fair. One of the items salvaged from the Neil disaster.)
During the mid-Edo period, when Kenzan was active, pottery stone, the raw material for porcelain, was discovered in Arita, and porcelain, which had previously been exclusively produced in Jingdezhen, China, could now be produced in Japan.
During a time when production in Jingdezhen and other areas stagnated due to the change of government from the Korean to the Qing dynasty and the resulting chaos in Chinese exports, Arita ware attracted great attention in the European market for its sophisticated techniques and beautiful designs.
Eventually, it was exported in large quantities through the Dutch East India Company and became a huge success.
Kyoto pottery of the same period was brought into the limelight thanks to the work of the potter Nonomura Ninsei, but after his death it was overshadowed by the rapid development of Arita ware.
During this period, Kenzan endowed a single piece of pottery with artistic quality and cultural significance that went beyond the mere act of pottery by reflecting literature, nature, and the spirit of Zen.
Ogata Fukami's education as a literati added value to the pottery, and the new brand name Kenzan was accepted.
Kenzan's pottery brought back fame to Kyoto pottery, bringing artistry and value to it.
6. Influence on future generations
Ogata Kenzan's activities had a great influence on Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki.
In particular, his efficient production system based on the division of labor and his emphasis on the artistic quality of design were a great inspiration for later ceramic artists.
The vessels created by Kenzan are regarded as works of art that go beyond practical use, and his influence continues to be felt in modern pottery.
(Late Edo period, Ninami Dohachi)
(Late Edo period, Eirakuwazen)
Furthermore, the theme of "the fusion of literature and pottery" seen in Kenzan's work is also considered a benchmark in contemporary pottery and craft design.
Kenzan's free-thinking and intellectual approach remain a great inspiration to creators today.
Ogata Kenzan was a potter who lived during the culturally mature Edo period, incorporating elements of literature, nature, and the spirit of Zen into his work.
By utilizing his intellect and sensibility to create products that responded to the needs of the times, he left behind works that are beloved by many people.
Kenzan's works continue to fascinate people even today with their beauty and depth.
Image source : ColBase (https://colbase.nich.go.jp/)
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What did you think?
This time we looked at Ogata Kenzan's work as a potter.
We hope you will be interested in Ogata Kenzan as a great potter and man of letters who is relevant to the modern day!
At Koto Potter we carry beautiful Kiyomizu ware pottery that is currently being produced in the Kenzan style.
Please try incorporating the essence of pottery, which has been passed down since the Edo period, into your home.
Other articles by Ogata Kenzan
Exploring the life and footsteps of Ogata Kenzan
Kenzan was born in Kyoto and died in Edo, but traces of his life can still be seen in many places today. In this article, we will look back on Kenzan's life while visiting his footsteps in Kyoto.
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Ask the experts! Who was Ogata Kenzan?
I went to interview him at the MIHO MUSEUM, which owns and exhibits many of Kenzan's works. I hope that this interview will provide a deeper insight into Kenzan's true character and his appeal.
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