Born 1955, Gojōzaka, Kyoto, Japan
YAGI AKIRA represents the third generation of a ceramics family in Kyoto known both for its discipline and for its avant-garde approach to art. After graduating from the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramics Institute in 1977, Yagi began working with his father, Yagi Kazuo (1918-1979), Japan’s most renowned avant-garde ceramic artist. Stepping away from in his father’s path, Yagi Akira explores the structural challenges in ceramics through the creation of series and sets. In these groupings of vessels, the space between and surrounding each element is as important as the components themselves. His nesting sets of bowls, graduated covered boxes, and fluted vessels all require great planning and precision to produce. Inspired by Chinese aesthetics, Yagi specializes in the delicate bluish-white seihakuji glaze, as well as deep, black iron glaze.
Covered, ribbed seihakuji (bluishi-white) mizusashi (waterjar) with mouth in the shape of two bisecting squares
2015
Glazed porcelain
4 5/8 x 8 x 8 in.
SOLD
Carved round incense burner (kōrō) with textured flaring skirt
2012
Glazed porcelain
5 1/4 x 4 1/4 in.
SOLD
Pair of twisting triangular forms
2011
Porcelain with celadon glaze
6 7/8 x 2 7/8 x 2 7/8 in.
Inv# 7182
SOLD
Set of five graduated bluish-white porcelain scalloped-edge plates
2005
7/16 x 5 1/2 in., 1/2 x 6 1/2 in., 5/8 x 7 5/8 in., 5/8 x 8 3/4 in., 3/4 x 9 3/4 in.
SOLD
Seihakuji (bluish-white celadon) glazed low, large bowl with irregular rim
ca. 2000
Glazed porcelain
3 5/8 x 15 3/4 in.
Inv# 9346
SOLD
Rounded shallow bowl with furling rim and two carp in relief in interior
ca. 1995
Glazed porcelain
5 1/4 x 17 1/8 x 10 1/4 in.
Inv# 10724
SOLD
Double hemisphere white-slip, black-glazed vessel . Created in homage to his father's work.
ca. 1980
Stoneware with black and white slip glazes
4 3/4 x 4 1/8 in.
Inv# 8550
SOLD