Kumakura Junkichi was a major figure in the world of Japanese sculptural ceramics, having been a central figure of the Sodeisha “Crawling through Mud” association, which held the aesthetic tenet...
Kumakura Junkichi was a major figure in the world of Japanese sculptural ceramics, having been a central figure of the Sodeisha “Crawling through Mud” association, which held the aesthetic tenet that sought to elevate the status of the nonfunctional, crafted clay object, propelling the professional identity of craftsmen into the realm of “artist.” This bottle showcases Kumakura Junkichi’s graphic sensibilities which took root in the 1940s, prior to his preeminent influence on sculptural ceramics. His use of 2 dimensional compositions on the flat surfaces of his functional wares was most prominently demonstrated during the1940s, early on in his career. Interested in the relationship between symbol and meaning, he was influenced heavily by geometric abstraction in his compositions.