About the Webinar
Learn more about fascinating history and exciting future of Bizen ceramics through this special webinar, hosted in celebration of the Earthen Elegance: The Art of Bizen Ceramics exhibition on display at Portland Japanese Garden through June 9th, 2025. This conversation between experts and artists will touch on the processes, history, and aesthetics which allowed this tradition to endure and flourish over the years, establishing Bizen ceramics as a truly iconic artform that continues to connect with new generations of audiences. This moderated discussion will take place before a Q&A.
Our special guests for the webinar include:
- David Sneider, of the David Sneider and Naomi Pollock Collection
- Robert Yellin, Japanese Pottery Specialist and owner of Robert Yellin Yakimono Gallery
- Koichiro Isezaki, Bizen Ceramic Artist
The conversation will be moderated by Aki Nakanishi, Japan Institute Director and Arlene Schnitzer Curator of Culture, Art, and Education at Portland Japanese Garden
Earthen Elegance: The Ceramic Art of Bizen
This webinar is presented as part of Earthen Elegance: Ceramic Art of Bizen. On loan from the Collection of David Sneider and Naomi Pollock, this exhibition celebrates contemporary ceramic art and vessels that preserve a time-honored collaboration of earth, fire, and the artist’s hand.
Recognized as one of the Rokkoyō (六古窯) Six Ancient Kilns of Japan, Bizen is a ceramic center based in Okayama Prefecture that has continued its unique form of pottery for over 900 years. Notable for their rustic, textured, and unglazed forms, the ceramics featured in Earthen Elegance reveal the depths of the Bizen pottery tradition.
Today the town of Bizen hosts nearly 300 active kilns with artists continuing to use local materials and an ancient wood-firing process. Featuring work by many of Bizen’s leading potters including Jun Isezaki and Ryuichi Kakurezaki, the exhibition presents both functional vessels and innovative sculptural forms that expand the frontier of Bizen ware.
Portland Japanese Garden would like to thank The Miller Foundation for their support of arts and culture programming.
