Kawai Takeichi 河井 武一
H18 × Dia 23 cm
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The nephew of the famous Mingei potter Kawai Kanjiro, Kawai Takeichi (1908–1989) established himself as a distinguished modern potter in Kyoto. Early in his career, he worked alongside Bernard Leach, who was then apprenticing at Kanjiro’s kiln.
Takeichi trained under Kanjiro for nearly forty years, continuing his uncle’s legacy after his passing. He carried forward the principles of the Mingei movement, employing traditional folk-art techniques and glazes such as cobalt blue, cinnabar, amber, and iron. This distinctive iron glazed “Jujube”-shaped water jar draws inspiration from the jujube (natsume) harvest. The plant, introduced to Japan over 2,000 years ago, bears its fruit along slender branches and is prized for its sweet flavor, nutritional value, and longstanding use in traditional medicine. It offers a blend of the Kawai family thick-walled and unique abstract forms, with a contemporary edge.
Chronology
1908 — Born in Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture
1927 — Began training under his uncle, Kawai Kanjiro
1949 — Became a member of the National Painting Society
1953 — Established his independent practice
1959 — Began holding solo exhibitions
1964 — Held solo exhibitions in Sydney, Melbourne, Wellington, and across New Zealand
1978 — Presented over 50 exhibitions in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Okayama, and Yokohama