“While contemporary kõgei remains rooted in centuries of cultural history, the work of the artists in this exhibition reflects a decisive and somewhat controversial shift from that of their peers. Most kõgei artists see their role as one that upholds traditional Japanese culture of the past, as it was established in the late-19th-century Meiji period, which precludes the opportunity for personal expression or for addressing more topical, global issues. The artists in Japanese Kõgei | Future Forward transcend this convention by incorporating into their work a high degree of individual expression and addressing ideas about the ‘future’.” — The Museum of Art and Design

Katsuyo Aoki, Predictive Dream XXXII, 2012. Porcelain, 8 11/16 x 6 11/16 x 7 7/8 in. (22.1 x 17 x 20 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©AOKI Katsuyo. Photo: SUEMASA Mareo

Yūki Hayama, Large Bowl with Emperor Long Sun, 2006-2007. Porcelain. H. 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm.) Diam.22 3/8 in. (56.9 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©HAYAMA Yuki. Photo: SAIKI Taku

Takashi Ikura, Where Shadow Meets Form, 2011-03, 2011. Semi-porcelain, 10 5/8 x 6 3/4 x 6 9/16 in. (27 x 17.2 x 16.6 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©IKURA Takashi. Photo: SAIKI Taku

Takerõ Kuwata, Blue-slipped gold Kairagi Shino bowl, 2012. Porcelain, glaze, gold. H. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm. Diam. 13 in. (33 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©KUWATA Takuro. Photo: SAIKI Taku

Masayasu Mitsuke, Untitled, 2012. Kutani-ware porcelain with red-enamel and gold decoration. H. 4 9/16 in. (11.6 cm), Diam. 18 3/16 in. (46.2 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©MISTAKE Masayasu. Photo: SAIKI Taku

Kihei Nakamura, Resurrection, 1999. Porcelain, iron, 106 1/3 x 275 2/3 x 11 4/5 in. (270 × 700 × 30 cm). Collection of the artist ©NAKAMURA Kohei. Photo: HATAKEYAMA Takashi

Shinkyõ Nakamura, Holy Light of Rome, 2011. Ceramic, 16 9/16 x 7 1/16 x 5 7/8 in. (42 x 18 x 15 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©NAKAMURA Shinkyo. Photo: SUEMASA Mareo

Harm Noguchi, Inoshishi (Wild Boar), 2014. Ceramic, iron, resin, 12 5/16 x 12 11/16 x 25 9/16 in. (31.2 x 32.2 x 65 cm). Photo courtesy of Ippodo Gallery. Photograph by Hitomi Sato

Tosco Õhi, White Raku Tea Bowl Made with Clay from Colorado, 2005. Raku ware made with clay from Colorado, with white glaze, 2 7/8 x 6 1/8 x 5 7/8 in. (7.3 x 15.5 x 15 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©OHI Toshio. Photo: WATANABE Osamu

Yuri Takemura, Meditation Bowl, 2012. Porcelain. H. 3 15/16 in. (10 cm), Diam. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm. 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©TAKEMURA Yuri. Photo: SUEMASA Mareo

Tatsuo Kitamura (Unryūan), Sacred Egg Casket with Fireflies in Sai-ei Maki-e, 2010. Lacquer, linen, gold, silver, shell, yellow gold, white gold. Overall: 2 15/16 x 3 7/16 x 2 5/8 in. (7.5 x 8.8 x 6.7 cm). Body: 2 11/16 x 3 7/16 x 2 11/16 in. (6.8 x 8.7 x 6.8 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©UNRYUAN, Tatsuo Kitamura. Photo: WATANABE Osamu

Shin’ya Yamamura, Three-Tiered Tower-Shaped Incense Case of Lacquered Wood with Eggshell, 2009. Japanese cypress, green lacquer, egg-shell, gold powder. H. 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm), Diam. 2 1/16 in. (5.3 cm). 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa ©YAMAMURA Shinya
Images courtesy The Museum of Art and Design. Installation photo by Butcher Walsh.
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