Hello everyone, how are you all doing?
Today, I would like to introduce a wonderful exhibition of Old Bizen currently being held at the Kakuura History and Culture Museum in Hinase, Bizen City.
Titled "The Charm and History of the Bizen Ware Brand: Jars and Mortars," this exhibition presents, in an easy-to-understand chronological format, the Bizen jars and mortars that became popular nationwide and built the immense prosperity of the Bizen ware brand.
It is a truly impressive exhibition that thoroughly explains these jars and mortars, which can be considered the foundation of Old Bizen, through every era.
In addition, works by popular contemporary artists are also on display.
I am planning to make some time to visit myself, and I hope you will consider stopping by if you happen to be in Bizen for the Obon holidays.
Location: Kakuura History and Culture Museum (801-4 Hinase, Hinase-cho, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture)
Phone: 0869-72-9026
Dates: 7/29 (Wed) – 9/30 (Wed). Closed every Tuesday and on 9/24.
*Update added on 8/14
Packed with the history of Hinase, Bizen City.
The other day, I visited the Kakuura History and Culture Museum accompanied by Yoshinobu Morimoto.
Located across from the Hinase Gomi no Ichi market, where delicious fish and processed goods are sold, the historic building itself creates a wonderful atmosphere.
Mr. Yoshinobu Morimoto was also looking forward to it and seemed very excited.
As soon as we viewed the exhibition room on the second floor, we saw Old Bizen mortars from the Kamakura and Muromachi periods.
It was fascinating to compare the Kamakura period pieces, which still retained some characteristics of Sue pottery, with those from the mature Muromachi period.
Furthermore, mortars by Togaku Mori were also on display, and they were so well-crafted that they could easily be mistaken for Old Bizen.
The famous "Oni-oke" (demon bucket) water jar, said to have been discovered by Wabi-cha masters in the late Muromachi period, was also on display. Along with learning its history as a bucket for silkworm cocoons, I was captivated by its simple yet powerful posture and the subtle "tobi-goma" (splashed sesame glaze) that almost seemed to disappear into the surface; its magnificent presence truly stole my heart.
There are many other wonderful pieces on display, so I highly encourage you all to visit.
With detailed information on the clay composition and historical context, it is an extremely rewarding exhibition.