九谷焼赤絵細描コレクション

十七世紀に現在の石川県で焼かれた九谷焼は、
安土桃山と江戸の文化を背景に、
絢爛な焼物の世界を開花させた色絵の磁器です。
九谷焼といえば、濃厚な色絵の具で器全体を塗り埋めた「青手」や
鮮やかな五色で花鳥風月を描く「五彩手」といった
大胆なデザインと繊細な筆致が見所ですが
中でも息をのむほど緻密な筆づかいが見られるのが
「赤絵細描」の技巧です。
白磁に映える赤一色の文様は、土から取れる赤色の酸化鉄
「ベンガラ」をごく細い筆先に含ませて描いたもの。
髪の毛ほどの細い線や、目を凝らしてやっと見えるほどの
極小な点を一筆一筆淀みなく描きつめていくと、
唐子や山水図、小紋といった文様が姿をあらわします。
ここでは、赤絵細描の名工、福島武山の一門が
手がけた香合や酒器をご紹介します。

Kutani-ware was first practised in the area now known as Ishikawa Prefecture in the 17th century.
With the Azuchi-Momoyama and Edo culture setting the backdrop, this painted porcelain is a dazzling expression of the world of earthenware.
Kutani-ware is famous for its bold designs and fine brushstrokes, seen in styles such as the densely-embellished “Aote”, and “Gosaite” that uses 5 vivid colors.
Some of the styles have such a delicate, breath-taking touch.
One of the techniques is “Akae Saibyo”, which uses fine patterns in red.
Since the patterns are painted in red alone, they stand out against the white porcelain, and they’re painted with red iron oxide taken from the soil using the tips of extremely thin brushes.
The lines are as thin as a single hair, and some of the dots are so small you can’t see them without straining your eyes.
As the craftsman applies one stroke after another without hesitation, patterns like Karako, Sansuizu, and Komon take shape.
These are incense containers and drinking vessels made by Buzan Fukushima, one of the masters of the Akae Saibyo style, and his apprentices.