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Jar
by Ito Sekisui V
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Guinomi
by Ito Sekisui V
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Mumyoi ware is made with red ocher clay known as "mumyoi" from Sado Island.
In June 2003, Ito Sekisui V (1941 - ) was designated a Living National Treasure (LNT) by the Japanese government for his "Mumyoi-yaki." It's the first LNT award for mumyoi, and it will certainly boost the image of the style for Ito and other mumyoi-yaki potters.
Ito Sekisui V (whose real name is Yoichi Ito), is not "related" to any major teachers, nor was his father a LNT. Ito earned it on his own just like the first wave of LNT potters. Around the mid-1970s, Ito Sekisui V started to experiment with firing an anagama in a reduction mode to bring about the black and red contrasts that his mumyoi-yaki is so well known for.
THE SEKISUI KILN
The fine ceramic wares created in the Sekisui family kiln are made form a special red potter's clay known as mumyoi. The clay is extracted from gold and silver mines located on Sado Island. The craftsmanship that goes into every piece of mumyoi pottery has been passed from father to son for over 150 years. The Sekisui kiln is located in the town of Aikawa on Sado Island. The kiln's history began when Tomisaburo Ito founded the pottery during the Tempo Era of the Edo Period, more precisely Tempo 2 (1831). Tomisaburo is known as the "father of the Sekisui kiln" and the first muyoi potter.
(above paragraph from pamphlet handed out at the Seksui kiln)
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