Kenji Takenaka (竹中健次), Japanese (b. 1957)

A Ceramic Sculpture – Lingering Snow (残雪)

Heisei Era (1989-2019) 

About the work

Kenji Takenaka’s work titled残雪, meaning lingering snow, is a sculptural tea-ceremony piece that evokes the weathered vertical strata of stone partially veiled by melting winter snow. The form rises as a tall, segmented column set upon a rugged base, its textured surfaces accentuated by a cool, granular glaze reminiscent of frost. Rough-hewn ridges and recessed layers create a strong interplay of light and shadow, while subtle tonal shifts suggest the natural erosion of rock. The underside bears the artist’s incised signature. 

Accompanied by an original signed wooden box, cloth and printed insert.

Dimensions

19.5cm(h) x 8.8cm(w) x 5.4cm(d)

Footnote

Kenji Takenaka, born in Okayama City in 1957, is a celebrated Bizen ceramic artist. After graduating from the Okayama Prefectural Industrial Research Institute’s Bizen Ceramic Center in 1986, he apprenticed under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki. Takenaka built his anagama kiln in 1993, marking the start of his independent journey. His works have been exhibited internationally, including in Paris, he has received honors at the Tanabe Museum and the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition.