Celebrating Asian Art

New Japanese Tea Bowls and Flower Vases From Ōhi Chōzaemon Toyasai X

Ōhi Chōzaemon Toyasai X's (Tenth Generation) new collection at Onishi Gallery speaks to the years of history and technique; showcasing select pieces with his son, Ōhi Toshio Chōzaemon XI (Eleventh Generation).

As seen above, Ohi Amber Tea Bowl (2013), is a collaboration piece, incorporating conversations on their 400 year family history carrying the torch down from father-to-son. Ōhi (both a family and ware name) works are associated with Raku, as Chōzaemon studied with a Raku master in Kyoto. By the time of the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Raku made by the Ōhi family was used exclusively by the Maeda-group for tea ceremonies and can be distinctly noted being passed down from father-to-son.

Female Feature Month

June 1-24

It is important to emphasize the struggle it has been for many female artists to create a successful career for themselves in Kogei, a male-dominated field for centuries. Onishi Gallery introduces and spotlights female artists' work to the Western market and into American's homes, where there is the space and platform to uplift their voices. This month is for female Japanese contemporary artists; including Onishi Gallery's distinguished female Living National Treasure. Highlighted are four female contemporary Japanese metalwork artists and one ceramicist whose work is on view this month.

Clockwise L-R: Oshiyama Motoko (born 1958), Vase Fūmai (Wind Dance), 2015, silver and yellow copper, H. 6 3/4 x W. 9 7/8 x D. 2 5/8 in. (17 x 25 x 6.5 cm); Tokuda Yasokichi IV (born 1961), Bowl Suicho (Crystalline Green), 2017, porcelain with vivid colored glaze (yôsai), H. 6 x D. 20 1/2 in. (15.5 x 52 cm); Otsuki Matsuko (born 1943), Copper Box with Fern Patterns, 2016, copper metal carving, 3 1/4 × 6 1/4 × 3 1/4 in. (8.3 × 15.9 × 8.3 cm); Osumi Yukie (Living National Treasure, born 1945), Silver Vase Bakufu (Waterfall), 2011, hammered silver with nunomezōgan (textile imprint inlay) decoration in lead and gold, H. 10 x D. 9 7/8 in. (25.5 x 25 cm)

This exhibition includes work by the metalsmiths Osumi Yukie (Living National Treasure, born 1945), Oshiyama Motoko (born 1958), Otsuki Matsuko (born 1943), and Hagino Noriko (born 1949), as well as ceramicist Tokuda Yasokichi IV (born 1961). For more information about these artists and Onishi Gallery's endeavors regarding the promotion of Japanese contemporary metalwares, please read Member Monday, click here.