About Akazawa Roseki (赤沢露石)
Akazawa (赤沢, 赤澤, あかざわ) is Family name
Roseki (露石, ろせき) is art name
Kaho (Kafo)(華峯, かほう) is also art name
Origin of Kochi
Kochi (交趾) is mostly glazed, and the main colors are yellow-green-purple-blue-red.
The color is soft, dark, pale and finely pierced.
There is another type called Byakudan (白檀) with gold leaf (金箔) and Urushi lacquer (漆).
Since ancient times, tea masters have admired Kochi-yaki for its beauty.
There is no definitive explanation as to whether the Kochi-yaki (交趾焼), Kochi-ware, is from Southeast Asia or Kochi China.
Introduced to our contry, Japn, before the Keichō (慶長) era.
Based on that, we will make it in our country.
AKAZAWA ROSEKI
AKAZAWA ROSEKI : Successive Generations
The West let light pass through; the East captured it upon the earth
The 150-year legacy of Roseki Akazawa.
Since 1877, the Akazawa family has protected the vibrant colors of Kochi-yaki in Kyoto.
While Western art, such as Italian mosaics, focused on the beauty of transmitted light through glass, the masters of the Akazawa lineage sought to anchor that light onto the clay of the Earth. Roseki Akazawa V, celebrating the 150th anniversary, governs this light with a modern touch. It is not just a craft; it is the art of capturing the cosmos upon a ceramic canvas.
Motojiro AKAZAWA Kaho 1st (1848-1915)
“Kahou Akazawa, the first generation, is the founder who breathed new life into the historic Akazawa family through art in 1877. Born into a traditional lineage of Terazamurai (samurai administrators) who served the Myoshin-ji Temple for generations, he took up the brush during a period of great societal change. His passion became the headwaters of the 150-year legacy of ‘The Art of Governing Light,’ and his spirit continues to live on within the works of every generation.”
Shuzo AKAZAWA Roseki 2nd (1897-1976)
“The 2nd generation Roseki is a true legend, recognized as a Master of Technical Preservation. The fact that his works are housed in the Akasaka State Guest House is a testament to his absolute quality. These are museum-grade masterpieces, truly worthy of being called a family heirloom.”
Shisuo AKAZAWA Roseki 3rd (1900-1993)
“Born in Takefu, Fukui, the 3rd generation Roseki (Shisuo Akazawa) was a pioneering female artist who revitalized the Akazawa lineage after the sudden passing of the 2nd generation. Her works represent a beautiful harmony between the resilient spirit required to protect a historic tradition and the delicate, graceful touch unique to her feminine perspective. Each piece tells a story of passion and perseverance, making it a profound addition to any collection.”
Seichu AKAZAWA Roseki 4th(1941-2020)
“The 4th generation was a master deeply beloved in the world of Tea Ceremony. The dignity and calculated formal beauty of his pieces elevate the prestige of any tea gathering. As a deceased master, opportunities to encounter his works in such excellent condition are becoming increasingly rare.”
Yoshinori AKAZAWA Roseki 5th (1971-) Current
“The 5th generation Roseki Akazawa infuses traditional Kochi-yaki with the realism of Japanese painting and a modern sensibility. His evolving techniques hold the potential to become future antiques. Enjoy his vibrant colors as ‘living art’ that brings elegance to contemporary lifestyles.”
In the 2021 (Reiwa 3), the current generation took the name of the Roseki 5th.
Since 1877 (Meiji 10), AKAZAWA has been mainly engaged in the pottery of Kochi ware. AKAZAWA’s artistic activity is based in Japan but has been exhibited and collected around the world in Italy, Spain, Austria, Tunisia, France, Latvia, China, Swizerland and many others.