Kawase Shinobu

Born 1950, Ōiso, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

As the third generation of a distinguished family of ceramists, KAWASE SHINOBU is now regarded as Japan’s most outstanding artist working within the ancient tradition of celadon. Known in Japan as Seiji-sensei, or "Master of Celadon," Kawase’s fidelity to the tenets of the Song Dynasty traditions remains, yet he moves beyond this artistic continuum with his mastery of the wheel and unrivalled range of celadon glazes. His organic, flowing forms, the most popular of which are his undulating bowls, stand apart from those created by others through the centuries. Kawase’s work has captivated collectors and curators of the Asian and Western art world with its successful fusion of the contemporary forms and ancient techniques, leading to many important awards. In 1981, he was the youngest artist to receive the prestigious Japan Ceramic Society Award, and thirty years later, he was honored with their Gold Prize in recognition of his lifetime achievements.