Winter Kogei Collection

WINTER KOGEI COLLECTION Kim Hono | Ikenishi Go | Komago Tetsutarou

DAI ICHI ARTS, LTD.

WINTER KOGEI COLLECTION Kim Hono | Ikenishi Go | Komago Tetsutarou

DAI ICHI ARTS, LTD. 18 EAST 64TH STREET, STE. 1F NEW YORK, NY, 10065, USA WWW.DAIICHIARTS.COM 212.230.1680 | 917.435.9473

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“Kogei, 工芸” is a Japanese word for “Craft”:

Objects crafted from the heart:

Touched by the soul.

Born from tradition.

Empathetic & expansive objects.

Celebrating the beauty of daily life.

This exhibition catalog showcases a selection of new works by 3 artistcraftsmen from Japan that showcases the spirit of Kogei: Kim Hono Ikenishi Go Komago Tetsutarou

A Note from the Director

As the year draws to a close and we reflect on the months that have passed, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude that compels me to reach out to all of you— our cherished artists, collectors, connoisseurs, enthusiasts, colleagues in the field, and the dedicated gallery staff.

Together, we have transformed the gallery into a sanctuary of art. This holiday season, we have prepared a special exhibition of small pieces, ranging from delicate sake cups and sake bottles to inviting drinking cups. Each item is not just a display of artistry but a catalyst for “nomi-nnication” — a new word that perfectly encapsulates the fusion of drink and communication. It affords us the opportunity to share stories, foster relationships, and express our collective appreciation.

You have been the wind beneath our wings, inspiring and fueling our collective creativity and enthusiasm. Through your dedication, our gallery has thrived as a vibrant hub of artistic exchange in Japanese ceramics, growing stronger and more dynamic with each passing day.

As we presented our exhibition of small pieces, it became clear that these contemporary artifacts were more than mere objects of aesthetic pleasure. They served as intimate tokens of appreciation. I and the team would like to convey our heartfelt “Thank you” and extend a wish to you: a warm “Yoroshiku onegaishimasu ” for the New Year.

よろしくお願いします

Your support has not only sustained us; it has propelled us to new heights, enabling a journey that is as rewarding as it is remarkable. For this, and for the countless memories we've created together this year, I am eternally grateful.

Let us carry this spirit of gratitude and interconnectedness into the New Year, nurturing the bonds that have made this year so memorable.

Thank you for being the most significant part of our journey.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Beatrice Chang

Winter Kogei Collection

TABLE OF CONTENTS Joyful Vessels 11

Kim Hono

The Spirit of Craft 51

Ikenishi Go

Drawn to Life 64

Komago Tetsutarou

Kim Hono with his cat in his studio, June 2023, Aichi prefecture

JOYFUL VESSELS

KIM HONO

Kim Hono 金 憲鎬's ceramic artworks serve as a vibrant tribute to the simple joys of daily life. Born in 1958 and based in Aichi, Kim's creations exude a profound love for art and boundless imagination.

When embarking on a new exhibition or theme, Kim's creative journey begins with a blank canvas of possibilities. Ideas sprout in the recesses of his mind, sometimes

sometimes taking root slowly, and other times bursting forth in a rush of inspiration. He acknowledges the challenges that arise when images refuse to materialize effortlessly. Yet, he's learned that creativity often emerges unexpectedly, like a hidden gem found in the pages of a magazine or a few lines of a note left by a family member.

When inspiration strikes, he captures

it swiftly in his sketchbook, using markers and colored pencils as his trusted allies. His hands follow his heart and translate the initial spark of an idea into tangible form.

For Kim, the essence of artistic value lies in the intricate fusion of graffiti and pencil drawings as decorative elements. These drawings, often the artist's first connection to an idea, evoke a sense of nostalgia echoing

childhood. They embody the pure delight of bringing vivid images from one's imagination to life, expressed through the tactile medium of paper and pencil.

Kim's final functional ceramic wares are nothing short of revolutionary in their celebration of life. They capture that same tactile quality born from paper and pencil, but through the clay form and surface.

These objects not only boast a distinctive quality that explores form in a profoundly unique manner, but they also often dazzle with bold and artistic colors.

EMPATHETIC OBJECTS: CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE His skill in crafting these pieces is

Kim Hono's ceramics encapsulate the

exceptionally rare, resulting in vessels

pure essence of artistic innovation and a

that both astonish and delight the viewer.

celebration of life itself.

Some of his works feature tenderly colored clay surfaces left unglazed, preserving a soft, matte texture that speaks to the inherent earthen quality of clay. Others invite viewers in with a glossy, transparent glaze applied over meticulously painted iron on the ceramic surface, creating a mesmerizing interplay of texture and color. He is also inspired by ceramic traditions from Aichi.

SAKE VESSELS

Small stoneware sake cups No. 1 - No. 5.

Contact us for the full list of works.

No. 1 Celebration Sake Cup

喜祝器

With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 3.5" x (w) 3" x (d) 2.8"

No. 9 Sake Cup

酒器

With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 3.1" x (diameter) 3"

No. 1 Joyful Sake Cup

楽酒器

With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 3" x (diameter) 2.9"

No. 10 Sake Cup

酒器

With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2.9" x (diameter) 2.2"

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1. E-1 Yunomi, Stoneware, (h) 4.5" x (w) 3" x (d) 2.6" 1

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2. B-3 Yunomi, Stoneware, (h) 4.6" x (diameter) 2.2" 3. C-1 Yunomi, Stoneware, (h) 5.1" x (diameter) 2.5"

4 Sake cups.

Contact us for the full list of works.

4 Sake cups.

Contact us for the full list of works.

No. 1 Sake Pour, Tsugi

注器

With Signed Wood Box Stoneware (h) 6" x (w) 3.5" x (d) 3"

No. 2 Sake Pour, Tsugi

注器

With Signed Wood Box Stoneware (h) 6.5" x (w) 3.2" x (d) 3"

Sake vessel set.

Contact us for the full list of works.

No. 1 Tokkuri

徳利

With Signed Wood Box Stoneware (h) 5.5" x (w) 3.5"

(Left) F-1 Sake Cup, Stoneware, (h) 2.7" x (diameter) 2.4" (Right) F-2 Sake Cup, Stoneware, (h) 2.7" x (diameter) 2.4"

(Left) D-1 Cup, Stoneware, (h) 2.5" x (diameter) 3.5" (Right) D-2 Cup, Stoneware, (h) 3" x (w) 4.1" x (d) 3.7"

CHAWAN TEA BOWLS

No. 4 Green Glazed Tea bowl

緑釉文彩 茶碗, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 3" x (w) 5.3" x (d) 5.4"

線文茶碗, With Signed Wood Box; Stoneware, (h) 4" x (w) 5" x (d) 4.5" (Right) No. 2 Tea bowl 線文茶碗, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 4" x (w) 4.8" x (d) 4.7" (Left) No. 1 Tea bowl

No. 3 Tea bowl

線文茶碗, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 3.5" x (w) 5.6" x (d) 4.8"

No.5 Colored Tea bowl

色茶碗; With Signed Wood Box; Stoneware; (h) 4.5" x (w) 4.7" x (d) 4.4"

PLATTERS

G-1 Plate Stoneware, (h) 1.9" x (diameter) 10.4"

No. 1 Small sake cup with handle & G-8 Plate, Stoneware Plate dimensions: (h) 1.8" x (w) 9.5" x (d) 8.5" Sake cup dimensions: (h) 4.3" x (w) 6" x (d) 3"

No. 5 Small sake cup with handle & G-4 Plate, Stoneware Plate dimensions: (h) 1.6" x (w) 10" x (d) 8.6" Sake cup dimensions: (h) 4.2" x (w) 5.7" x (d) 3"

G-6 Plate Stoneware, (h) 1.5" x (w) 9.8" x (d) 8.3"

G-5 Plate Stoneware, (h) 1.7" x (w) 9.4" x (d) 8.4"

G-3 Plate Stoneware, (h) 1.5" x (w) 10.5" x (d) 10.1"

Ikenishi Go in his studio, June 2023, Ehime prefecture

THE SPIRIT OF CRAFT

IKENISHI GO Despite his relative obscurity, his ardor for "Kogei," the art of crafting objects for use with heart and soul, speaks volumes.

Ikenishi's work beautifully encapsulates the essence of Japanese craft. Through his discerning eyes, he captures the everyday marvels that often go unnoticed, unveiling the small wonders that imbue our world with beauty. He experiments with traditional glazes from the Seto prefecture. His whimsical spirit, inspired by the joys of childhood, including Lego and collectible figurines, adds a playful and spirited dimension to his craft. In every piece he creates, one can feel not only the touch of their hands but also the touch of their heart, as his devotion to the art of daily craftsmanship radiates through his creations.

“The heart is fed by intuition and emotion responding to the innate behests of material, encouraging the enjoyment and use of like faculties in the user.”

- Bernard Leach, A Potter in Japan Based in Ehime, in the enchanting southern islands of Japan, Ikenishi Go is a remarkable luminary in the realm of pottery. His journey is a testament to the power of self-taught mastery, a refreshing departure from a traditional path. His profound talent and innate connection to the spirit of Kogei shine brightly through his creations, which pay homage to timehonored techniques such as Irabo glazes, Kiseto, black glazes, and more.

池西 剛

Wabi Sabi Asymmetry is a key tenet of the “Wabi Sabi” aesthetic principle, which is an expression of beauty that embraces imperfection and impermanence, welcoming the splendor of the natural world.

Kohiki Tokkuri 粉引徳利, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 6" x (diameter) 4"

Irabo Glazed Tokkuri 1 伊羅保徳利, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 5" x (diameter) 4.3"

Tokkuri 2 with Korean Style "Persimmon" Glaze 柿の蔕 徳利, With Signed Wood Box; Stoneware; (h) 5.2" x (diameter) 3.8"

黒高麗扁壺徳利

Black Korai Flat Tokkuri with Iron Glaze No.1 With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 5" x (w) 4.4" x (d) 3"

黒高麗扁壺徳利

Black Korai Flat Tokkuri with Iron Glaze No.2 With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 5.1" x (w) 4" x (d) 6"

Life in miniature The beauty of small objects in everyday life that expand our concept of beauty has been practiced since the conception of the Silla Kingdom in Korea. This idea is also expressed well in modern Japanese ceramics, as exemplified in the guinomi, or Sake Cup. Kōno Sake Cup No. 2 黄野盃 With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2"x (diameter) 3.1"

Kōno Sake Cup No. 1 黄野盃 With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2"x (diameter) 3.1"

Ki Seto Kiseto (yellow Seto ware) kiln was established during the Tenbun and Eiroku eras (15321570), mostly producing table wares covered with a transparent yellow. Green colorations are a result of the presence of copper oxide in the glaze constitution. Kiseto often captures the “Old school” spirit of Japanese pottery, and is a beloved glaze in Japan.

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1. Kiseto Sake Cup No. 1

黄瀬戸酒盃

With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2.3" x (diameter) 3" 2. Kiseto Yunomi

黄瀬戸湯呑

With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 3.2" x (diameter) 3.1" 3. Kiseto Sake Cup No. 2 3

黄瀬戸酒盃

With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2.3" x (diameter) 3"

Black Guinomi 黒酒杯 With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2.3" x (diameter) 2.6"

Setoguro Teabowl 瀬戸黒茶碗 With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 3.4" x (diameter) 4.7"

Kōno Teabowl 黄野茶碗 With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 3.5" x (diameter) 4.8"

KOMAGO TETSUTAROU

DRAWN TO LIFE

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The young artist Komago Tetsutaro 小孫哲 太郎 (b. 1974) creates delightful artworks that center around surface decoration, blending inspirations from the rich tradition of Arita ware and porcelain surfaces, as well as imagery from Okinawan traditional pottery.

He is deeply intrigued by the potential of pictorial decoration and how it can be seamlessly integrated into contemporary motifs. This tradition finds its roots in the export cloisonné artistry of the Meiji period, a time when Western visual cultures, technologies, and two-dimensional art forms such as prints and etchings were making their way into Japan.

As a result, depictions of mythical creatures and swirling clouds began to flourish in domestic export porcelain.

Komago's pieces exude whimsy, featuring intricate etchings on their surfaces and occasional embellishments with metallic gold or silver enamel. These polychrome creations evoke childhood memories, and particularly motifs from Okinawa which are themes with a long-standing visual tradition and history within Japanese decorative arts. Crabs, shrimps, birds, and the sea are drawn to life on his delightful vessels.

One might recall visual culture of childhood from other parts of the world, reminiscent of the painted Easter eggs found in the English countryside, evoking the spirit of Beatrix Potter and the whimsical naturalism displayed in her illustrations.

(Left) No. 27 Polychrome Yunomi with Carved Sunset Bird Designs (h) 3.7" x (diameter) 2.9" (Middle) No. 29 Polychrome Yunomi with Carved Bird Designs

線彫色絵夕やけ鳥紋湯呑, 2023, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware

線彫鳥紋湯呑, 2023, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 3.8" x (diameter) 2.9" 線彫色絵夕やけ鳥紋湯呑, 2023, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware

(Right) No. 21 Polychrome Yunomi with Carved Sunset Bird Designs (h) 3.9" x (diameter) 2.8"

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1. No. 14 Polychrome Guinomi with Carved Crab Designs

線彫蟹紋ぐい呑, 2023, With

Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2.2" x (diameter) 3.0"

2. No. 15 Polychrome Guinomi with Carved Shrimp Designs 3

線彫海老紋ぐい呑, 2023

With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 1.8" x (diameter) 3.3" 3. No. 7 Polychrome Guinomi with Carved Bird Designs

線彫色絵鳥紋ぐい呑, 2023, With

Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2.1" x (diameter) 3.0"

4. No. 12 Polychrome Guinomi with Carved Crab Designs 4

線彫蟹紋ぐい呑, 2023, With

Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2.9" x (diameter) 3.1"

Set of 4 Polychrome Yunomi with Turtle designs, 2023, Stoneware, With Signed Wood Boxes.

Contact us for the full list of works.

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1. No. 31 Polychrome Yunomi with Carved Crab Designs

線彫蟹紋湯呑, 2023, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 4.1" x (diameter) 2.9"

2. No. 25 Polychrome Yunomi with Carved Frog Designs

線彫色絵蛙紋湯呑, 2023, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 3.8" x (diameter) 2.9"

3. No. 28 Polychrome Yunomi with Carved Frog Designs

線彫蛙紋湯呑, 2023, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 4.0" x (diameter) 3.1"

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Set of 5 Polychrome Guinomi, 2023, Stoneware, With Signed Wood Boxes.

Contact us for the full list of works.

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1. No. 4 Polychrome Guinomi with Carved Yamori Designs

線彫色絵家守紋ぐい呑, 2023

With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2.2" x (diameter) 3.1“ 2. No. 10 Polychrome Guinomi with Carved Turtle Designs 3

線彫色絵亀紋ぐい呑, 2023

With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2.0" x (diameter) 3.1" 3. No. 6 Polychrome Guinomi with Carved Jaguchi Designs

線彫色絵ジャグチ紋ぐい呑,

2023, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2.4" x (diameter) 3.2" 4. No. 2 Polychrome Guinomi with Carved Bantam Designs 4

線彫色絵チャボ紋ぐい呑,

2023, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2.1" x (diameter) 2.9"

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1. No. 9 Polychrome Guinomi with Carved Bird Designs

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線彫色絵鳥紋ぐい呑, 2023, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2.2" x (diameter) 2.8"

2. No. 16 Polychrome Guinomi with Carved Shrimp Designs 3. No. 3 Polychrome Guinomi with Carved Bird Designs

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線彫海老紋ぐい呑, 2023, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2.6" x (diameter) 2.7"

線彫色絵鳥紋ぐい呑, 2023, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2.2" x (diameter) 2.7"

4. No. 1 Polychrome Guinomi with Carved Turtle Designs

線彫色絵亀紋ぐい呑, 2023, With Signed Wood Box, Stoneware, (h) 2.1" x (diameter) 3.0"

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For a full list of works, price, acquisition, and other inquiries, please email [info@daiichiarts.com] or contact us via our website for more information

© Dai Ichi Arts, Ltd., 2023 Authorship: Beatrice Chang, Kristie Lui Catalog production: Yoriko Kuzumi, Haruka Miyazaki, Kristie Lui

WINTER KOGEI COLLECTION Kim Hono | Ikenishi Go | Komago Tetsutarou

DAI ICHI ARTS, LTD. 18 EAST 64TH STREET, STE. 1F NEW YORK, NY, 10065, USA WWW.DAIICHIARTS.COM 212.230.1680 | 917.435.9473