Imai Kōjin (*1937)

Iga fresh water jar with attached handles (mimi-zuki mizusashi) and fantastic natural ash glaze by Imai Kōjin (also named: Imai Yasuto). Kōjin, born 1937, has studied pottery between 1957-61 under Kawai Zuihō (1913-64) in Kyōto. His works were shown on many important exhibitions in Japan such as Art Exhibition Kyōto, Shiga Prefecture Exhibition, Nitten (Japanese National Exhibition) as well as exhibitions abroad under patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 1973 Kōjin moved to Iga and devoted himself to explore and study Old-Iga ware, which gained with its carefree irregular style popularity for the production of tea ceremony utensils in medieval Japan. Much of his efforts and knowledge culminated into this excellent piece.

Another fantastic fresh water jar of similar shape by Kōjin has been published in Gendai chatō taikan ("Overview over contemporary tea pottery"), Vol 3, Shufunotomo 1979, p. 116.     

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