I woke up this morning thinking about why I like buying and collecting retro, vintage and antique objects.
Some people like to be ahead of the game and buy the new and modern things that have been specifically made to have either a short lifespan or short desirability. It can be argued that these are the collectibles of the future but i won't be around most likely to consider them.
I actually find it exciting to find unusual and interesting things. I like to be reminded of craftsmanship, it is fascinating to research the history of where and who made certain furniture or china, I like to repair where I can and restore pieces to a loved condition.
I like to ponder on how a piece of fragile glass managed to survive many human lives without being damaged. There are pieces of porcelain or furniture from china, India, Austria and many other countries, by craftsmen who may or not be known to us,
My favorite piece is a Japanese tea set most likely 1950's. I researched the maker and found Somayaki Soma Ware. I read a statement re the maker and it went like this
"We were recently informed that Mr. Sue, who has produced many beautiful and valuable items of Somayaki ware, has sadly passed away.
Despite enduring many difficulties following the accident at the Fukushima Dai ichi nuclear plant, Mr. Sue fiercely retained his pride and dignity as a Somayaki craftsman and made concerted efforts with his fellow potters to keep the age-old tradition of Soma alive.
It is a tragedy that he was never able to return to his hometown and practise his craft in familiar surroundings.
Our thoughts are with his family and fellow craftsmen at this sad time.
Artistic Nippon is awaiting one last shipment of Soma items made by Mr. Sue.
Thank you for your support and kind understanding".
"Somayaki was established in 1690 in Fukushima, Northern Japan. During the Edo period, it enjoyed the protection of the Soma lords and grew to over 100 kilns, making it one of the biggest and most important potteries in Northern Japan. However with the advent of the Meiji restoration, the influence of the lords declined and the number of kilns gradually decreased to the 27 still in production today. Somayaki is proud of its history and draws from 300 years of tradition to create distinctive, unique pieces popular with collectors everywhere. One of the most recognisable characteristics of Somayaki is its "Hashirigoma"(galloping horse motif). The origin of the motif is the subject of much speculation, but there can be no doubt that it is related to Soma's long history of horse handling ( the "ma" in Soma actually means "horse"). Over 1,000 years ago, horses were used as a form of martial training. Warriors were prepared for battle by trying to wrestle sacred banners from the backs of wild horses. This tradition is re-enacted during the "Soma-nomaoi" festival held every July, drawing many visitors to the area. The galloping horse motif is painted on Somayaki following the tradition of the Kano School of Painting, one of the most prominent and respected schools of art in Japan. Another unique feature is the use of "double walls". The pieces are constructed with an inner wall which can be seen through cut-outs in the outer shell. As well as adding an interesting dimension, this feature also has the added advantage of keeping the tea warm while leaving the outer surface cool. "Aohibi" is the name given to the distinctive blue crackled glaze seen on most Somayaki ware. A combination of these three distinctive features combine to create warm, rustic pieces imbued with a sense of history and peculiar to the area in which they are produced".
I felt that i had a rare piece of history in my possession and that the material traditionally used to create these beautiful things could no longer be sourced. To appreciate the things we have and the care and skill that has gone into their production is maybe something that people are beginning to think about and the up cycling rather than the throw away consumer way we live maybe changing.
Some people like to be ahead of the game and buy the new and modern things that have been specifically made to have either a short lifespan or short desirability. It can be argued that these are the collectibles of the future but i won't be around most likely to consider them.
I actually find it exciting to find unusual and interesting things. I like to be reminded of craftsmanship, it is fascinating to research the history of where and who made certain furniture or china, I like to repair where I can and restore pieces to a loved condition.
I like to ponder on how a piece of fragile glass managed to survive many human lives without being damaged. There are pieces of porcelain or furniture from china, India, Austria and many other countries, by craftsmen who may or not be known to us,
My favorite piece is a Japanese tea set most likely 1950's. I researched the maker and found Somayaki Soma Ware. I read a statement re the maker and it went like this
"We were recently informed that Mr. Sue, who has produced many beautiful and valuable items of Somayaki ware, has sadly passed away.
Despite enduring many difficulties following the accident at the Fukushima Dai ichi nuclear plant, Mr. Sue fiercely retained his pride and dignity as a Somayaki craftsman and made concerted efforts with his fellow potters to keep the age-old tradition of Soma alive.
It is a tragedy that he was never able to return to his hometown and practise his craft in familiar surroundings.
Our thoughts are with his family and fellow craftsmen at this sad time.
Artistic Nippon is awaiting one last shipment of Soma items made by Mr. Sue.
Thank you for your support and kind understanding".
"Somayaki was established in 1690 in Fukushima, Northern Japan. During the Edo period, it enjoyed the protection of the Soma lords and grew to over 100 kilns, making it one of the biggest and most important potteries in Northern Japan. However with the advent of the Meiji restoration, the influence of the lords declined and the number of kilns gradually decreased to the 27 still in production today. Somayaki is proud of its history and draws from 300 years of tradition to create distinctive, unique pieces popular with collectors everywhere. One of the most recognisable characteristics of Somayaki is its "Hashirigoma"(galloping horse motif). The origin of the motif is the subject of much speculation, but there can be no doubt that it is related to Soma's long history of horse handling ( the "ma" in Soma actually means "horse"). Over 1,000 years ago, horses were used as a form of martial training. Warriors were prepared for battle by trying to wrestle sacred banners from the backs of wild horses. This tradition is re-enacted during the "Soma-nomaoi" festival held every July, drawing many visitors to the area. The galloping horse motif is painted on Somayaki following the tradition of the Kano School of Painting, one of the most prominent and respected schools of art in Japan. Another unique feature is the use of "double walls". The pieces are constructed with an inner wall which can be seen through cut-outs in the outer shell. As well as adding an interesting dimension, this feature also has the added advantage of keeping the tea warm while leaving the outer surface cool. "Aohibi" is the name given to the distinctive blue crackled glaze seen on most Somayaki ware. A combination of these three distinctive features combine to create warm, rustic pieces imbued with a sense of history and peculiar to the area in which they are produced".
I felt that i had a rare piece of history in my possession and that the material traditionally used to create these beautiful things could no longer be sourced. To appreciate the things we have and the care and skill that has gone into their production is maybe something that people are beginning to think about and the up cycling rather than the throw away consumer way we live maybe changing.
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