Bowl thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Not currently on display at the V&A
On short term loan out for exhibition

Bowl

1912 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This bowl was given to the V&A by Bernard Leach (1887-1979), one of the founders of Britain’s studio ceramics movement, shortly before he died. It was made by Tomimoto Kenkichi (1886-1963), an architect and designer whom Leach met near the beginning of his stay in Japan from 1909 to 1920. Tomimoto accompanied Leach to the pottery decorating party that inspired him to become a potter. He also acted as an interpreter when Leach started taking pottery lessons in the autumn of 1911. Tomimoto, who also became a famous potter, started experimenting with ceramics the following summer and made this bowl when he visited Leach in Tokyo that autumn. Leach, to whom Tomimoto gave the bowl, recollected towards the end of his life that it was Tomimoto’s ‘very first pot’. While this is not strictly true, it is a famous story often recounted by aficionados of Japanese studio ceramics.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Raku type earthenware, thrown, with clear glaze over decoration painted in coloured enamels
Brief description
Japan, modern crafts, studio, ceramics; Bowl, Raku type earthenware with clear glaze over decoration painted in enamel colours, Japan, Tokyo, by Tomimoto Kenkichi, 1912
Physical description
Decoration: Nightingales, foliage and two characters; outside, poetic inscription of seven characters divided by trellis, 'The nightingale in the plum tree sings Hokekyo, Hokekyo once again.'
Dimensions
  • Height: 8.8cm
  • Diameter: 19.0cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
? check for maker's mark
Gallery label
Bowl Earthenware decorated in enamel colours By Tomimoto Kenkichi JAPANESE; c.1912 FE.66-1977 Given by Bernard Leach According to Bernard Leach this was the first ceramic made by Tomimoto. It was thrown on Leach's wheel at his house in Sakuragi-cho in Tokyo.(as at 2005)
Credit line
Given by Bernard Leach
Object history
Said by the donor to have been the maker's first pot, made on the former's wheel at his house in Sakuragi-cho, Tokyo.
Production
Artist: Tomimoto Kenkichi [Kenzan VII] (1886 - 1963)
Biographical reference: Hamada Shoji, 'Gendai no togei', Vol 17 (1977), p.104 (NAL JK 17)
TOKYO
Factory: Leach kiln
Summary
This bowl was given to the V&A by Bernard Leach (1887-1979), one of the founders of Britain’s studio ceramics movement, shortly before he died. It was made by Tomimoto Kenkichi (1886-1963), an architect and designer whom Leach met near the beginning of his stay in Japan from 1909 to 1920. Tomimoto accompanied Leach to the pottery decorating party that inspired him to become a potter. He also acted as an interpreter when Leach started taking pottery lessons in the autumn of 1911. Tomimoto, who also became a famous potter, started experimenting with ceramics the following summer and made this bowl when he visited Leach in Tokyo that autumn. Leach, to whom Tomimoto gave the bowl, recollected towards the end of his life that it was Tomimoto’s ‘very first pot’. While this is not strictly true, it is a famous story often recounted by aficionados of Japanese studio ceramics.
Bibliographic reference
Bernard Leach, 'Kenzan and his Tradition' (London, 1966), plate 94. See biogref
Collection
Accession number
FE.66-1977

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Record createdFebruary 12, 2000
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