Itaya Hazan

5 - 27 August 1995

Hours: 9:30a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Entry is permitted thirty minutes before the galleries are closed.
Closed: Closed on Mondays

Admission: charged

We are pleased to be able to present this survey of the work of Itaya Hazan (1872-1963) one of the pioneers of modern ceramics in Japan.

Graduating from the sculpture department of the Tokyo Art School (now the Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music) he soon turned to the world of ceramics. Starting from the study of glazes, he applied himself to the traditional ceramic techniques of the East, and China in particular, as well as to Art Nouveau and other early-twentieth century artistic trends in the West, evolving a unique blend of Eastern and Western ceramics, based on his own strict artistic sense, that established him as an outstanding figure in the field.

His work, ranging as it does from elegantly simple white and celadon porcelains, cinnabar wares and iron-glaze tenmoku wares to pieces derived from Western majolica, is also notable for its development of new expressive possibilities in ceramics. He won particular acclaim here with his original polychrome porcelains employing matt glaze and shallow relief techniques ; the lyrical beauty of these types and the high distinction of, for example, his plain white and celadon wares, have continued to ensure him a place at the very summit of the world of ceramics.

The present exhibition, which presents some 140 of Hazan’s most important works, together with preliminary sketches and designs, is the largest retrospective to be held since the artist’s death, and is, we feel sure, more than adequate to demonstrate the lasting appeal of his work.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the members of the late artist’s family, the collectors, and all those others whose unstinting cooperation has made this showing possible.