Iro-e 色絵 Fukizumi 吹墨 sumihajiki 墨はじき shiki 四季 [four seasons] hanamon 花文 guinomi ぐい呑

The Flowers of the Four Seasons (Chinese: 四季名花; Vietnamese: Tứ quý danh hoa; Japanese: 四季の花) are a group of flowers found in Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese art and culture which represent the four seasons, consisting of the orchid (spring), the lotus (summer), the chrysanthemum (autumn) and the plum blossom (winter). They contain three of the elements of the Four Gentlemen. [In Chinese art, the Four Gentlemen or Four Noble Ones, literally meaning "Four Junzi", is a collective term referring to four plants: the plum blossom, the orchid, the bamboo, and the chrysanthemum. The term compares the four plants to Confucian junzi, or "gentlemen". They are most typically depicted in traditional ink and wash painting and they belong to the category of bird-and-flower painting in Chinese art. In line with the wide use of nature as imagery in literary and artistic creation, the Four Gentlemen are a recurring theme for their symbolism of uprightness, purity, humility, perseverance against harsh conditions, among other virtues valued in the Chinese traditions.]

昭和37年 生まれ。13代今右衛門の次男。昭和60年、武蔵野美術大学工芸工業デザイン学科卒業。昭和63年、鈴木治に師事。平成2年、13代今右衛門の許、家業に従事。平成14年、14代今右衛門を襲名。 家伝の「色鍋島」の技法を中心としながら 「墨はじき」という技法を発展させた当代独自の白化粧を用いた「雪花墨はじき」や 「プラチナ彩」を施した作品で、現代の鍋島を展開されている14代今泉今右衛門。 「今右衛門」の彫銘あり。

Imaizumi Masato succeeded as Imaemon XIV in 2002, heir to a century’s long tradition of working in porcelain. However he studied initially sculpture at Musashino Art University and trained with Suzuki Osamu/鈴木治 (1926-2001) of Sodeisha fame, and thus has a firm background in the avant garde. Since inheriting the family name he has concentrated on both traditional techniques of Iro-Nabeshima, while exploring new techniques using ink’s feature of repelling pigment and disappearing after firing. In 2009, he was granted the Medal with Purple Ribbon from the Emperor. In 2014, he received the ultimate distinction as the youngest artist in Japan ever to be designated a Living National Treasure.