Yaichi Kusube (1897–1984) was born in Kyoto and is regarded as one of the leading ceramic artists of modern Kyoto. His real name was Yaichi. From a young age, he viewed pottery not merely as a craft for daily life but as a form of artistic expression, and whilst conducting extensive research into ancient ceramics, he developed his own distinctive style. He is particularly renowned for the ‘Saien’ technique, in which coloured porcelain clay is applied in multiple layers to create soft colours and a sense of three-dimensionality. He also excelled in white porcelain, celadon and coloured-painted ware, and was awarded the Order of Culture in 1978.
When viewing the works of Yae Kusube, the first thing one notices is a softness that is somehow painterly, despite the pieces being made of porcelain. Designs such as flowers, birds and deer are not rendered realistically, but rather emerge quietly from layers of pale colours, creating a profound sense of depth on the surface of the vessels. The Kyocera Museum of Art in Kyoto also holds works such as the ‘Red and White Plum Blossom-Decorated Incense Burner’ in its collection. To me, Yae’s ceramics do not seek to compete in splendour, but rather seem like an art form that creates elegance through the quiet layering of colour and form. Its great appeal lies in the beautiful harmony between the refinement characteristic of modern Kyoto ceramics and his unique sense of colour.
