Yamada Yoshiaki: Mastery in Sketching and the Beauty of Blank Space

Yamada Yoshiaki is a master of porcelain, his works a testament to the intricate beauty of nature's flora and fauna. Each piece weaves a delicate tapestry of life, capturing not just the visual but also the auditory essence of rustling leaves and melodious birdsong. His art invites viewers to serene, natural reveries.

A connoisseur of negative space, Yamada's realism is both striking and profound. His exquisite craftsmanship has earned him widespread acclaim, including the distinguished honor of having his work included in the collection of the Imperial Household Agency.

Team Musubi was privileged to visit Yamada's studio, a sanctuary nestled at the foot of the majestic Mount Hakusan. Surrounded by nature's splendor, his artistry is not merely a craft but a way of life, his soul in perfect harmony with his surroundings.

Yamada was born into a family steeped in the tradition of Kutani ware, with his father also being a master artisan. He began his craft at the age of 20, working in the family business in Sano, a region renowned for akae, or red painting. During that prosperous period, the use of stamps streamlined the decoration process, facilitating mass production.

However, after marrying at twenty five and having a child the next year, he began to question whether he should continue solely with stamp-based mass production. This marked a turning point for him, prompting him to delve into the study of traditional hand-painting techniques.

Initially, his style featured rigid lines and bold primary colors, but over time, he shifted towards creating softer, more naturally inspired pieces.

During a visit to his workshop, he presented Team Musubi with his collection of valuable color samples that he had meticulously researched. These included a range of shades like greens, browns, and blues, which he uses as the foundation for mixing his own paints. He began sketching a thin preliminary drawing on paper cut into a round shape, using a type of carbon paper for transfers.

Next, he uses gosu, a cobalt blue underglaze, for kotsugaki, a technique that involves drawing bold outlines before adding color. He then gently diffuses these lines with water before layering on the colored pigments.

Witnessing his method firsthand, our team gained a profound appreciation for his meticulous dedication and the artistic integrity that defines him as a Kutani ware artisan.

Yamada’s studio is a treasure trove of sketchbooks, each page filled with intricate studies of the same plants rendered in countless variations. These illustrations vividly demonstrate his commitment to direct observation, a cornerstone of his unique artistic style.

Yamada was deeply influenced by Takegoshi Yoshiyuki, a third-generation master of Kutani ware, under whom he studied as a young apprentice. This mentorship instilled a rigorous dedication to sketching that has significantly shaped his distinctive artistic style. Furthermore, Yamada refined his skills in handling Japanese pigments and detailed painting techniques through lessons from numerous masters. As a result, his Wild Grape Design Large Plate was selected for the first time at the Japan Traditional Art Craft Exhibition.

Early in his career, Yamada experimented with ink on shikishi, a special kind of Japanese card paper often used for painting, drawing, and autographs, where he first grasped the profound impact of negative space. “Balancing elements through negative space is crucial for creating refined, captivating works,” he explains, noting the challenge of mastering this technique. Yamada meticulously arranges plants and birds, considering the interplay of forms and voids. A single composition often requires seven or eight preliminary sketches.

For Yamada, sketching from life is essential to creating a truly original vision. By incorporating his own field observations into his artworks, he avoids mere replication. He marvels at the transformative power of nature, noting that a single plant can appear dramatically different depending on the time of year, location, and perspective.

“Even the smallest detail, like an insect-made hole, can add depth and intrigue to a piece”

Yamada has previously focused on creating large items such as vases and decorative plates, but he has recently shifted to producing dinnerware. He mentions that while vases and decorative plates stand as complete works of art on their own, dinnerware truly comes into its own only when it is used to present food. Therefore, he designs with a focus on harmony between the dishware and the food it will contain, avoiding overly vibrant colors. Yamada's goal is to craft pieces that not only delight the eyes but also enhance the experience of using them.

Beyond his personal achievements, Yamada is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation, aiming to preserve the legacy and cultural significance of Kutani ware. He observes that today's young artisans are developing styles that diverge from traditional methods, and he is optimistic about their innovative approaches. Addressing these craftspersons, Yamada emphasized, "Design products with the users in mind and collaborate with their peers to collectively enhance the legacy of Kutani ware."

Yoshiaki Yamada's artistic language is defined by meticulous observation of nature through sketching and the intentional use of negative space. His youthful explorations of Mount Hakusan played a crucial role in cultivating his unique style. Drawing inspiration from the Japanese aesthetic appreciation for negative space, Yamada believes in the beauty of simplicity and order.

"I find beauty in things that are free from excess, clean, and well-organized."

Yamada's exceptional techniques and aesthetics are poised to have a lasting impact on the development of ceramic art.