Everything about KAWAKITA Handeishi

17 April to 30 May 2010

Hours: 9:30a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Entry is permitted thirty minutes before the galleries are closed.
Closed: Closed on Mondays (except 19 July), and 20 July

Admission:
Adults: 900 (700) Yen
Students (College or senior high): 700 (500) Yen
Students (elementary or junior high school): 400 (300) Yen
(Conｃession for groups or advanced tickets)

Kawakita Handeishi (real name: Kawakita Kyudayu Masanori; 1878-1963) left an indelible mark on the history of modern Japanese ceramics. Born into a wealthy family from Tsu, Mie Prefecture, Handeishi (as he was almost universally known) eventually assumed control of the family business, which including a cotton wholesaler established in the Edo Period in Odenma-cho, Tokyo) and The Hyakugo Bank,Ltd. Despite his hectic daily schedule in a number of important posts in the financial sector, Handeishi displayed a multitude of artistic skills in such diverse fields as ceramics, painting, calligraphy, Photography, architecture, and haiku.

In particular, despite only having started making ceramics seriously after the age of 50, handeishi far exceeded the level of hobby to produce works so radical that they breathed new life and innovation to the then stagnant field. Conceived with a profound understanting of tea ceremony, and the notion of inserting humorous yet grand ideas into ceramics, each of Handeishi's works is imbued with a sense of expanse and fullness that might be likened to an independent universe. In addition to his works, Handeishi's keen perspective on art and culture and extensive knowledge made a great impact on younger potters such as Arakawa Toyozo, Kaneshige Toyo, Miwa Kyuwa, and Miwa Jusetsu, laying the foundation for the ceramic revival of the Showa Period.

Handeishi was also g great supporter of regional development and cultural projects. The Sekisui Kaikan Foundation which oversaw the first comprehensive facility for promotion the arts in Mie Prefecture was established at Handeishi's personal expense.

Choosing to remain an amateur artist throughout his life, Handeishi gave most of his works to people in his wide circle of friends. As a result, despite Handeishi's prestige, there has rarely been an opportunity for the general poblic to view his work.

Several years after Handeishi's death, his family donated cultural properties to The Sekisui Kaikan Foundation, wichi was officially registered as The Sekisui Museum in 1975. The museum recently received Handeishi's works from his family. With the full cooperation of The Sekisui Museum, this exhibition presents the entire spectrum of Handeishi's life through his ceramics, calligraphy, architecture, photograpy, haiku, books, and related documents.