Tuskigata Nahiko bronze statue #3055

- width: approx. 15.5cm (6 7/64in) x 4.5cm (1 49/64in)

- tall: approx. 9cm (3 35/64in)

- weight: 518g (w/ box 730g)

Tsukigata Nahiko (1923-2006)
The founder of Onishino
Born to a father who was a stone sculptor, and a mother who was a flower arranger, Nahiko's artistic sensibilities were nurtured from a young age. After graduating university, he encountered the pottery of Toyozo Arakawa, and was profoundly moved. This inspired him to recreate ancient Momoyama period kilns in Ooya, Gifu Prefecture (The Kiln of Heaven, The Kiln of Earth) and begin making ceramics. He also built kilns at Gotomaki Pass (The Kiln of Heart, The Kiln of Man), with 4 in existence.
From the beginning he presented mainly solo exhibitions, with over 200 domestic exhibitions held to date, chiefly in major cities, and also overseas at the first and second Paris Onishino Exhibitions in 1988-89, where he received a favorable reception.
Through his devotion to the craft, he developed a method of firing works over longer periods than Shino ceramics, and shocked the international ceramics world when he presented the creation of Onishino.
He developed his highly creative vision of Onishino further with a harmony of bold molding and thick glazing that almost seems to swell with life force, and in recent years revealed a new artistic world by introducing elements such as gold leafing and Rimpa expression.
Also, in addition to ceramics, he has gained a high reputation for presenting a unique artistic vision in other media, such as writing, painting, and copperplate engraving. He died on August 16th.