Shoji Kamoda Pointing to the Celestial Pole 55th Anniversary of Sano Museum of Art and 80th Anniversary of Mishima City

We will be holding an exhibition of works by the ceramic artist Kamoda Shoji (1933-1983), who left a significant mark on the history of modern Japanese ceramics with his genius for creating works and outstanding technique.

Kamoda was born in Kishiwada, Osaka Prefecture, and studied under the ceramist Tomimoto Kenkichi at Kyoto City University of Arts (now Kyoto City University of Arts). In 1959, he opened a kiln in Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture, and became independent. There, he pursued the expression of ash and iron glazes, and in 1967, he became the only ceramist to receive the Takamura Kotaro Award. In 1969, he moved to Tono, Iwate Prefecture, and the following year, he shocked the ceramics world with his "Curved Carved Pattern" series, and the year after that, he turned his attention to "Colored Pottery," using colors such as vermilion, green, and white, and continued to produce works energetically, changing his style as he went on.

This exhibition will display approximately 100 pieces, focusing on masterpieces from Kamoda's early period to his later years, particularly from his Mashiko period to his early Tono period, when he made his breakthrough as an artist.

What did Kamoda, who passed away at the young age of 49, want to express using the material "ceramic"? We believe that among his diverse works, we can find the one and only "Tenkyoku" that Kamoda aimed for.