Kumakura Junkichi was a potter who was instrumental in the establishment of “sculpture” as a legitimate category of artistic expression in the Japanese ceramic world. His interest in organic forms...
Kumakura Junkichi was a potter who was instrumental in the establishment of “sculpture” as a legitimate category of artistic expression in the Japanese ceramic world. His interest in organic forms and figurative art propelled his works during the 1960s and 1970s. The silhouette of this jar exemplifies this flair for sculptural form. The clay body bends over and is slightly figurative, as though it is the shadow of a figure leaning forwards. This figurative sensibility aligns with his artistic interests during this period, as it was made during a period where he was invested in portraying forms inspired by sexuality and eroticism. It also carries a complex glaze, which is a consistent black throughout. This showcases his skill in manipulating glaze to achieve his desired effect.