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Issues of 2008
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The essence of ancient orient in St. Petersburg
In two halls of the exposition, 24 works of the masters of the famous ceramic dynasties of Japan, Kato Kobei and his father, Takuo Kato were exhibited. The exposition was opened from May 19th till May 23th at «The Hermitage Restaurant». It was organized by the BMI Company and the interiors network Kasumi. Visitors got a rare opportunity to observe exhibits from the collection of a well-known Japanese museum, Sesoin. It is considered that Sesoin is the place where the treasures of the countries of The Great Silk Route are kept. Here the number of works of art created in the eighth century (the Nara epoch) presenting the essence of the applied art of Persia, China, Japan and other countries are stored. The items created more than 1200 years ago, preserve for centuries the tradition of the unique art of ceramics. «The Body of a Drum» turned to be a jewel of the exposition. This object was used during the ceremony of opening Big Buddha’s eyes, which was introduced after finishing the construction of the Big Buddha’s pavilion of the Todai-ji temple of the ancient Japanese town of Nara in 752 A.D. In 1980, the administration office of the Japanese imperial court addressed the master Takuo Kato with the offer to try to restore the above¬mentioned piece. As a result of the 97th attempt of the reconstruction, the master succeeded in restoring the original form of the item, but it was preceded by eight years of persistent work! Takuo Kato tried to master the ancient know-how of ceramics during a quarter of a century. Passing a way of failures and mistakes, he revived the traditions of manufacturing the ancient Persian lustre and three-colour ceramics. In 1995, Takuo Kato was declared to be a «live national treasure», the keeper of non¬material and cultural values of Japan. But at the end of 2005, he died. His senior son, Kato Kobei, being the master of the seventh generation, carefully keeps the traditions of the dynasty and creates unique products of ceramic art, basing on the experience of the previous generations. Visitors of the exhibition could see a unique collection of floor vases and a panel, created by master Kato Kobei in a single copy especially for Saint Petersburg. In a small size exposition different kinds of the ceramics decoration techniques were presented. The technique of the «lustre» ceramics emerged on the territory of Mesopotamia and was kept in secret. The white surface of a product was processed by tin glaze with the addition of lead, and coated with the layer of oxidized metal (gold or silver). Firing in reducing atmosphere was subsequently carried out. As a result, the items became a dazzling shine, and also a rich color palette. The technique of the creation of «illusory ceramics», forcing a product to sparkle, appears to be one of the most complex in the world. In Iran and Iraq, they gradually disappeared in the 14th century, and in Spain and other countries in the 17th century. Depending of the color of glazing, Kato Kobei produces such kinds of ceramics: the three-coloured ceramics (green, brown yellow and sometimes dark blue (indigo) colors; the ceramics of the indigo color (cobalt additives); the ceramics of the color of «The Persian Rust»; the dark-blue glazes ceramics (lapis lazuli additives).
The ceremony of official opening of the exposition was personally conducted by master Kato Kobei, whose presence at St. Petersburg was limited by two days (on May, 19–20th). Kato Kobei arrived to St. Petersburg in the ranks of the Japanese delegation. Opening of the exhibition, speech of the master and a drink luncheon everything passed under accompaniment of classical music. Smiles, jokes, polite compliments in special atmosphere of the Japanese charm surrounded the participant of the event. It was possible to observe the process of polishing a big dish (and even to participate in it and to observe the creation of the portrait of a Russian beauty in the original style of the Kato family. The master was very busy, but we could accomplish a small interview with the man. — Tell us, please, about the collection which you have brought to St. Petersburg. — The items of different techniques are presented. The first is the white ceramics with color images on this background. The «lustre» ceramics is also interesting. It is considered that traditionally Persian ceramics was such. The matter is that this technique flourished in the 12–13th centuries, but was forgotten later, and nobody knew how to make these items. Riches of the color was the feature of this technique. About fifty years ago, my father, Takuo Kato, started to revive the traditions of this ceramics. But it has also its secrets. It is very difficult to determine the color of the item after firing. The only things that can help are the experience and intuition. The three-colour glazed ceramics is another interesting thing. Here the four colour ceramics also can be mentioned (the ceramics with the decor of more than three colors, is referred to as three-coloured). Such ceramics is well-known in the East. — How did the exhibition project start? — The offer came from the Russian side. I responded with pleasure, and in two years period this exhibition took place. — Tell us, please, how the revival of the forgotten traditions in Japan began? There were many reasons for the revival of the Persian ceramics. One of the most important was that my father understood: it is impossible to lose its remarkable traditions. I planned to present my items in St. Petersburg, therefore there are the products devoted to this city at the exhibition. Certainly, they are executed in the same traditions which we have revived. For example, there is a dish representing wolves on the background of the Admiralty. — Do you plan to pay attention to the theme of Russia in your future works? — Yes, of course. Those rivers and lakes that I saw from a window of the plane touched me. Therefore I shall try to reflect this theme on the basis of my new impressions in my future works. The history and the nature of Russia will become a subject for my reflections. — Tell, please, a little about the dynasty to which you belong ... — The dynasty has appeared 203 years ago, and the first ceramic products also have appeared in 1804. We keep the ceramic traditions for already seven generations. — Whether difficultly to be the keeper of the traditions of a great family? — Yes, it is difficult, and it is crucial to be responsible. — Master, whether you became familiar with St. Petersburg artists, collectors? — There was no opportunity to get acquainted with them. However, the Russian music and literature are great, and I am going to get closer acquainted with the culture of Russia and St. Petersburg. It would be desirable to visit Russian ballet and Russian theatre performances.
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