The Revolutionary Brilliance of Tokuda Yasokichi III – Japanese National Treasure

Photo: https://www.mangetsu.co.jp/tokudayasokichi

Dancing with Color: The Unexpected Path of a National Living Treasure

Tokuda Yasokichi III never intended to become a ceramic artist.
In fact, he was known for his dandy spirit and love of fun, having once worked as a dance instructor during his student years. But at age 24, he made a decisive turn—not to pursue the identity of an “artist,” but to walk the path of a “craftsman.”

“After the war, Japan’s economy leaned toward socialism, and its culture gravitated toward abstraction.
In my circle, this was seen as an inevitable, unquestioned flow.

The logic of moving from representational art to complete abstraction held a deep appeal and persuasive power for the youth of the time.
For me, the paintings on Kutani ware had to become abstract.

As a young man, I gave up on being an artist and chose to be a craftsman.
But I always held a quiet hope: that true dedication to craft could, perhaps, open a door back to art.

Now at seventy, I wish only to live the life I have left with quiet devotion.
‘The rings of a creator’s life are built through the layering of works.’”

From Paintings to Pure Color: A Radical Reimagining of Kutani

Photo: https://www.mangetsu.co.jp/tokudayasokichi

Kutani ware has long been known for its gorgeous paintings in five vivid hues—blue, red, yellow, purple, and navy.
But Tokuda Yasokichi III redefined this tradition. He didn’t just paint on porcelain—he created color itself.
His work explores not the images painted upon a vessel, but the brilliant, luminous glaze—the very light trapped in colored glass.

This wasn’t mere evolution—it was a revolution.
By transforming the very concept of Kutani decoration, Tokuda carved a new path in the ancient world of Japanese porcelain. It is this bold innovation that earned him the rare title of Living National Treasure and brought his work to global attention.

Crafting Eternal Light: The Art Behind the Magic

Creating these radiant glazes is a meticulous, time-consuming process.

Each color must be carefully layered in narrow bands.
For Tokuda’s signature smooth gradations, even the slightest bump or texture on the ceramic surface is unacceptable, as it would cast a shadow and break the illusion of pure light.
Thus, each piece must be painstakingly polished after its first firing to ensure flawless smoothness.

The coloring process itself requires extreme care and foresight:
Tokuda painted with an understanding of how each glaze would melt and shift during firing.
After one round of coloring and firing, he would examine the result, and often repaint and refire—sometimes three or four times—until the ideal vision emerged.

The final product is a piece of eternal brilliance, with vibrant hues locked forever within the glassy glaze—colors that do not fade, but glow with quiet intensity across generations.

Legacy of Light

Photo: https://www.mangetsu.co.jp/tokudayasokichi

Tokuda Yasokichi III’s life reminds us that craftsmanship, when pursued with enough conviction and innovation, becomes something more than skill—it becomes philosophy, poetry, and yes—art.

In choosing not to paint a picture, but to sculpt with color itself, he gave Japanese ceramics a new voice.
And in doing so, he taught us this:
True artistry doesn’t always begin with intention—it begins with transformation.