[Saga Tamaya] "BEYOND THE BIZEN" to be held from April 15 (Wed).

Saga Tamaya (Headquarters: 2-5 Nakanokoji, Saga City, Saga Prefecture, President & CEO: Yuto Yamakoshi) will hold "BEYOND THE BIZEN" for six days from Wednesday, April 15, 2026, to Monday, April 20, at the South Building 7th floor event hall.

Bizen ware boasts over a thousand years of history. Its natural expressions, created solely with clay and fire without glaze, have been passed down as unique beauty. This exhibition introduces the charm of new Bizen ware born from contemporary sensibility while cherishing tradition.

Furthermore, during the exhibition period, participating artists such as Masahiro Miyao and Genan Okuno are scheduled to visit. This is a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the artists about their creative backgrounds and philosophies. Please take this opportunity to view a wide range of Bizen ware, from traditional works to pieces that fascinate with new techniques and forms, and vessels that complement daily life.

History of Bizen Ware

Bizen ware is one of Japan's representative ceramics, with a history dating back to the Kamakura period. Kilns have gathered and developed around Imbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture. During the Momoyama period, it was loved by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Sen no Rikyu, and Furuta Oribe, establishing its reputation through high acclaim as tea ceramics.

Its roots are even older, believed to stem from Sue ware fired under the influence of the Korean Peninsula and mainland China during the Kofun period. Through the continuous ingenuity and accumulated techniques of potters, it has evolved into the Bizen ware of today.

Bizen ware has inherited the primitive firing method of baking solely with clay and fire, without glaze, to the present day. The natural scenery created by firing with high-quality clay for over two weeks is also called the "Art of Fire," and no two pieces are exactly alike. Works from the Kamakura period are called "Ko-Bizen" and are still highly valued today.

Additionally, it is said to have characteristics such as being "hard to break even if thrown," "water does not easily spoil," and "sake tastes mellow," making its high practicality one of its attractions. The diverse expressions created through firing are also deeply connected to the aesthetic consciousness of "wabi-sabi."

Featured Artists and Works

Work

Flower Vase (Width 12.5 x Depth 13.8 x Height 39.7 cm)
165,000 yen

Work

Bizen Fuuin Flower Vase (Width 23 x Height 35 cm)
88,000 yen

Left:

Bizen Yohen Sake Cup (Width 7 x Height 5 cm)
13,200 yen

Right:
Bizen Yohen Mentori Tokkuri (Sake Ewer) (Width 9 x Height 12.5 cm)
22,000 yen

Work

griffon (Width 36 x Depth 43 x Height 62 cm)

528,000 yen

Work

Mon-mon Flower Vase (Width 26 x Depth 38 x Height 29 cm)

286,000 yen

Work

Kurokaku Hana-ike (Black Square Flower Vase) (Width 8 x Depth 8 x Height 23.4 cm)

660,000 yen

*All prices include tax.

Artist Appearance Schedule

【Masahiro Miyao】April 15 (Wed)

【Genan Okuno】April 17 (Fri) / April 18 (Sat)