Miyanaga Tozan III (b. 1935) | A celadon glazed spiral vase | Showa period, 20th century

The most expensive ceramic that Freddie purchased was the blue celadon glazed swirling vase created by the Kyoto-based artist Miyanaga Tozan III (1935- personal name of Rikichi). The base of this work has an engraved character for Ri referring his first name Rikichi. Tozan III identifies himself not with tradition as such but rather with expression that can be achieved while working with clay. He comes from a rather wonderful ceramic background learning from unusual ceramic artists who innovated and changed the field. His grandfather Tozan I (1868-1941) was an art nouveau ceramic artist in Kyoto who in 1924 collaborated with Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883-1959) the food and ceramic artist as well as the famous potter Arakawa Toyozo (1894-1985), who was to be an integral part of the innovative Mingei (folk art) movement. Tozan III when he was younger studied with Yagi Kazuo, one of the founders of the Sôdeisha movement that focused on abstract art and the materiality of the clay. From 1959 Tozan III spent three years at the Art Students League in New York City. Tozan III worked mostly with blue celadons and naturally coloured clays. This particular elegant light blue celadon glaze covers a powerful spiraling form that appears to move of its own accord, much like a natural spring. With Freddie’s art school background and his sensitivity to Japanese art, it is easy to understand why he wished to own this dynamic work even if it was costly.