Yasokichi Tokuda is a master potter based in Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture, who has developed the colour expression of Kutani ware. Since the founding generation, he has conducted extensive research into the vivid colours found in ancient Kutani ware, passing on his techniques and artistic sensibility to subsequent generations. In particular, the third-generation Tokuda Yasokichi pioneered a new form of expression in Kutani ware by placing the focus not on painting designs onto the vessels, but on the layering and shifting hues of the glazes themselves. His works, in which blues, greens, yellows and purples blend seamlessly, possess an abstract and contemporary beauty distinct from that of traditional coloured porcelain.

When viewing these works, one feels that the colours are not merely applied to the surface of the vessel, but rather seem to radiate from within, glowing as they spread out. They are resplendent yet not garish; rather, they possess a profound tranquillity. I believe the unique charm of Tokuda Yasokichi lies in the way he has inherited the traditional colours of Kutani ware, yet transformed them from landscapes and patterns into a world of pure colour.