Surrealist Sodeisha Finger Vase

Surrealist Sodeisha finger vase by Kumakura Junkichi 1920-1985, Kyoto, Japan. Showa Period 1926-1989, c. 1960s-70s. Of rectangular-cuboid form in stoneware with a row of fingers pointed inwardly around the mouth in Junkichis inimitable style, covered in a matt deep brownish-black iron glaze, impressed mark to the base. Together with its signed tomobako. Kumakura Junkichi, 1920-1985, graduated from the Kyoto Institute of Technology in 1942 and then in 1946 became assistant to Tomimoto Kenkichi 1986-1963, who strongly influenced his approach towards ceramics as fine art. In 1955 he won the inaugural Japan Ceramics Association prize which cemented his reputation. In 1957 he joined Sodeisha and was to become a leading participant in that movement with his decidedly sculptural ceramics. Influenced by the notions of jazz music his work became more sculptural, often with overtones of eroticism and sexuality, as he got older. His success with the Japan Ceramics Society led to invitations to major international exhibitions where he was awarded the grand prize at the Brussels World Exposition in 1958 and the silver prize at the International Ceramics Exhibition in Prague in 1962.

Condition Details:
In very good condition showing only a few signs of wear such as small marks or scuffs.