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I recently visited the exhibition “Karatsu Ware: The 14th Nakazato Tarōemon” being held at Yamaguchi Izutsuya, a department store in Yamaguchi City.
Karatsu ware has a long history as tea ceramics and has been beloved by tea masters and collectors for centuries. Among its most prominent lineages is the Nakazato family, which has carried on the tradition since the Edo period. The 14th-generation Nakazato Tarōemon continues this distinguished heritage while also pursuing new forms of artistic expression.
The exhibition featured a wide variety of works, including tea bowls, flower vases, and fresh-water jars. Each piece conveyed a powerful presence of “earth” and “fire.” The tea bowls were especially striking, with their comfortable fit in the hand and naturally finished rims—embodying the very essence of Karatsu ware as vessels that are “completed through use.”
At the same time, there were also pieces that reflected the 14th-generation’s innovative spirit. These works, fusing tradition with contemporary sensibilities, offered a glimpse into the future of Karatsu ware.
Yamaguchi Izutsuya is well known as a hub of local culture, and hosting such a high-level ceramic exhibition within a department store felt like a rare and valuable opportunity for the community. It struck a perfect balance between accessibility—you can drop in while shopping—and depth, with works that reward careful viewing. For anyone who loves ceramics, it was a truly captivating space.
“Karatsu Ware: The 14th Nakazato Tarōemon” was an outstanding exhibition where one could feel both the history and the evolving future of Karatsu ware. Having the chance to encounter works of this level in Yamaguchi was precious, and I am truly glad I went.
Even those with little prior exposure to ceramics will find much to enjoy in the rustic yet powerful charm of Karatsu ware. For enthusiasts of pottery or tea culture, it is an experience not to be missed.
