Biography

1950

Was born in Oiso, Kanagawa

1968

Started ceramic arts under his grandfather (Takeharu KawaseⅠ) and his father (Takeharu KawaseⅡ)

1976

Hold his first personal exhibition in Tokyo

1977

Hold Takeharu Three generation’s exhibition with his grandfather and his father

1981

Received the prize of Japan Ceramics Society

1996

Submitted to CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE CRAFTS (IMF traveling exhibition)

2005

“The Serene of Celadon / Seijaku no bi” ( N.Y Joan.B.Mirviss Ltd)

2009

“Flowering Waves of Celadon /Kaseiha”（N.Y Joan.B.Mirviss Ltd）

2014

Received the Grand Prix of Japan Ceramics Society by “The Blossoming of Celadon /Seiji-no-Kaika”(N.Y Joan.B.Mirviss Ltd)

Shinobu Kawase was born in Oiso, Kanagawa. His family has made a living by ceramics for three generations so Kawase had been taught by his grandfather and his father since he was little. When he turned 18, he started an authentic training and he learned the pottery wheel making as hard as he acquired the skill of making ceramics in an exact measuring and size. In later years, he remembered that his childhood had influenced his affection for “Usude” (thin ceramics) because most of all works were “sometsuke” (painting) and “akae” (overglazing enamel decoration primarily in red color). However, he was not allowed to paint in pottery even it was his family’s job and also he could not make his own works either.

His fate, meeting with celadon, was an unexpected coincidence. One day, he noticed that a part of pot turned into blue after firing, then he got an idea that he could make a celadon by glazing deeply. Kawase, who is fascinated by the blue, secretly started to make a few own ceramics intentionally putting much glaze on the edge of the kiln. His grandfather noticed his enthusiasm for celadon, so his grandfather gave the celadon of Ryusen-kiln and the incense burner of “Hakamagoshi” so that Kawase could learn from them.This is how Kawase jumped into the world of celadon. Firing coloring samples which were copies of incense burner of “Hakamagoshi” and Chinese celadons, he visited museums everyday carrying them in his pocket to compare with classic masterpieces under the same light. From that time, the endless exploring days have started. Kawase had repeated to fire ceramics repeatedly and he had made better qualities one by one that he wants to archive.

Eventually, he discovered that his ideal style is close to Chinese classic one, the celadon in the later of Hokuso era called Jokan-kiln. He was eagers to approach Jokan-kiln, which has the warmth and tenderness unlikely as celadon and which is sensitive and elegant as we could feel fluent possibility for some reason. While focusing on his works, he realized he could not surpass classic great works as if he,living in the different era, had continued to copy Jokan-kiln. Thus he learned being inspired by natural beauty and making a shape of beauty hiding inside of himself.

Since then, he has observed colorful flowers bloomed in his garden, freshwater stingray in the TV screen and the natural beauty of Aurora in Lapland. Combining them with his own expression way: his skill of creating ceramics, he has constantly created the beautiful shape which is genuinely original. They are applauded as the sequence of fresh works as people want to lick and they are known for the great reputation. His continuous hard work and a great sense of beauty which is based in his knowledge make him one and only artist in the world.