Ryuzan Aoki (1926–2008) was a leading figure in contemporary ceramics, based in Arita, Saga Prefecture. Building upon the traditional techniques of Arita ware, he pursued his own unique interpretation of Tenmoku, characterised in particular by a deep, jet-black glaze, and created ceramics based on the beautiful kiln changes typical of ancient Chinese ware. His style, which combines a sense of gravitas with contemporary aesthetic beauty, encompasses a wide range of works, from sumi-e (blue-and-white), iroe (coloured-painting) and shiroji (white porcelain) to tenmoku, as well as painterly expressions combining glazed colours. He was appointed a Member of the Japan Art Academy and received the Order of Culture in 2005; he is highly regarded as one of the leading figures in post-war Japanese ceramics.
In Ryuzan Aoki’s works, one is first captivated by the deep colours of the glazes and the refined, taut forms. In his Tenmoku pieces in particular, the jet-black surface of the vessel is not merely ‘black’; when illuminated, it reveals depth and subtle nuances, exuding a serene yet powerful presence. It is precisely this ability to inherit the beauty of traditional ceramics whilst evoking a contemporary sensibility reminiscent of painting and sculpture that constitutes the unique charm of Ryuzan’s work.