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Selected Works

Surpassing Tradition: Redefining Hagi
Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953), Rock-like, horizontal, scooped-out vessel with multi-planed body and unctuous Hagi glazes

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953)

Rock-like, horizontal, scooped-out vessel with multi-planed body and unctuous Hagi glazes

2018

Hagi-glazed stoneware with kiln effects

17 1/2 x 24 3/8 x 12 5/8 in.

Inv# 11065

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953), Rock-like, scooped-out vessel with multi-planed body, unctuous Hagi glazes with kiln effects

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953)

Rock-like, scooped-out vessel with multi-planed body, unctuous Hagi glazes with kiln effects

2019

Hagi-glazed stoneware with kiln effects

12 3/4 x 15 x 10 7/8 in.

Inv# 11066

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953), Rock-like, scooped-out standing vessel with multi-plane body, unctuous Hagi glaze and kiln effects

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953)

Rock-like, scooped-out standing vessel with multi-plane body, unctuous Hagi glaze and kiln effects

2015

Hagi-glazed stoneware with kiln effects

12 1/2 x 13 x 9  in.

Inv# 11067

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953), Round teabowl with irregular mouth and Hagi glaze

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953)

Round teabowl with irregular mouth and Hagi glaze

2019

Hagi-glazed stoneware with kiln effects

3 1/4 x 5 1/2 x 4 3/4 in.

Inv# 11069

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953), Rock-like, scooped-out standing vessel with multi-plane body, unctuous Hagi glaze and kiln effects

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953)

Rock-like, scooped-out standing vessel with multi-plane body, unctuous Hagi glaze and kiln effects

2018

Hagi-glazed stoneware with kiln effects

13 1/2 x 9 1/4 x 10 1/2 in.

Inv# 11068

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953), Covered water storage jar with multi-plane body, unctuous Hagi glaze, kiln effects and matching lid with knob handle

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953)

Covered water storage jar with multi-plane body, unctuous Hagi glaze, kiln effects and matching lid with knob handle

2019

Hagi-glazed stoneware with kiln effects

7 1/4 x 8 3/4 in.

Inv# 11071

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953), Round teabowl with irregular mouth, split foot rim, "crawling" Hagi glaze and kiln effects 

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953)

Round teabowl with irregular mouth, split foot rim, "crawling" Hagi glaze and kiln effects 

2019

Hagi-glazed stoneware with kiln effects

4 x 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 in.

Inv# 11070

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953), Covered water storage jar with Hagi glaze, kiln effects and matching lid with knob handle

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953)

Covered water storage jar with Hagi glaze, kiln effects and matching lid with knob handle

2018

Hagi-glazed stoneware with kiln effects

6 1/4 x 10 x 9 1/2 in.

Inv# 11072

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953), Almost straight-walled teabowl with irregular mouth and Hagi glaze

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953)

Almost straight-walled teabowl with irregular mouth and Hagi glaze

2019

Hagi-glazed stoneware with kiln effects

3 1/2 x 4 3/4 x 3 1/2 in.

Inv# 11256

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953), Round teabowl with irregular mouth, tall split foot, Hagi glaze and kiln effects

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953)

Round teabowl with irregular mouth, tall split foot, Hagi glaze and kiln effects

2019

Hagi-glazed stoneware with kiln effects

5 x 5 3/4 in.

Inv# 11255

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953), Incense burner with multi-planar body, Hagi glaze and extensive kiln effects

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953)

Incense burner with multi-planar body, Hagi glaze and extensive kiln effects

2019

Hagi-glazed stoneware with kiln effects

5  x 4 7/8 x 4 1/2 in.

Inv# 11257

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953), Covered water storage jar with Hagi glaze, extensive kiln effect, slanted shoulders and matching lid with knob handle

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953)

Covered water storage jar with Hagi glaze, extensive kiln effect, slanted shoulders and matching lid with knob handle

2019

Hagi-glazed stoneware with kiln effects

7 1/4 x 8 x 8 in.

Inv# 11258

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953), Rock-like vase with multi-plane body and Hagi kohiki-glaze with kiln effects

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953)

Rock-like vase with multi-plane body and Hagi kohiki-glaze with kiln effects

2019

Kohiki-glazed stoneware with kiln effects

15 1/4 x 15 1/4 x 12 7/8 in.

Inv# 11259

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953), Rock-like vase with multi-plane body, Hagi glaze and extensive kiln effects in pinks and greys

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953)

Rock-like vase with multi-plane body, Hagi glaze and extensive kiln effects in pinks and greys

2019

Hagi-glazed stoneware with kiln effects

13 x 12 x 9 1/2 in.

Inv# 11260

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953), Rock-like vase with multi-plane body, Hagi glaze and kiln effects

Kaneta Masanao (b. 1953)

Rock-like vase with multi-plane body, Hagi glaze and kiln effects

2019

Hagi and white-glazed stoneware with kiln effects

12 x 11 3/8 x 9 1/2 in.

Inv# 11261

Press Release

Surpassing Tradition: Redefining Hagi - KANETA MASANAO - Exhibitions - Joan B Mirviss LTD | Japanese Fine Art | Japanese Ceramics

KANETA Masanao (b. 1953) creates dramatic, powerful ceramics that evoke the sweeping curves, sharp peaks, deep gorges and snow-covered crags of a mountain landscape reminiscent of his home in Hagi, Japan. The town of Hagi has been a major ceramic center in Japan since the arrival of Korean potters over four hundred years ago. Hagi wares have been celebrated for centuries for their refined forms, irregular textures and subtle glazes which often "bead" or "crawl" during the firing.

An eighth-generation Hagi master potter and innovator, Kaneta created a sculptural oeuvre that remains grounded in functionality. Due to his early training as a sculptor, his forms have a strong and dramatic presence that sets them apart from works by other artists working in this traditional ceramic center.  

"His work can be seen as a marriage of possibilities, breathing new life into traditional forms and bringing the richness of heritage to sculptural pursuits."

SUSIE J. SILBERT, Curator, The Corning Museum of Glass & independent critic

Surpassing Tradition: Redefining Hagi - KANETA MASANAO - Exhibitions - Joan B Mirviss LTD | Japanese Fine Art | Japanese Ceramics

Using centuries-old glazes, Kaneta creates unique and readily identifiable functional and non-functional sculptural forms. He first paddles the clay into a rough shape. Then he employs his signature technique of kuri-nuki, in which he digs or scoops out a form from the clay mass.  As a master of the noborigama or multi-chambered climbing kiln, he is also able to achieve a remarkable range of coloration and kiln effects on each piece, For Kaneta, the scooped-out clay form with its ridgelines becomes complete only with the power imbued by the firing process. The resulting ceramics strike a masterful balance between form and surface. Whether they are sculptures, vases, waterjars or teabowls – each a unique but commanding presence. Kaneko Kenji, Director of the Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, believes Kaneta's works "are strong, masculine forms that are flexible in tone…no longer focused on satisfying the characteristics of a concept--a flower vase for example. They have transcended such concerns." 

Joan B Mirviss LTD is excited to present their third solo exhibition by this formidable clay artist. His work is found in the collections of over twenty international museums including that of The Metropolitan Museum of Art; Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco. Kaneta will present fifteen new works created specifically for Surpassing Tradition: Redefining Hagi. His push-pull between form and surface, function and sculpture, innovative technique and traditional glaze will be spectacularly on view. The exhibition opens November 5 and will run through December 20, 2019. 

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