Monaco's Japanese Garden to Exhibit Timeless Bizen Ceramics Artistry

On November 23 and 24, 2024, Monaco's tranquil Japanese Garden will be the setting for a distinguished exhibition of Bizen ceramics, an art form with a history spanning over 800 years, originating from Okayama, Japan. This event will feature a collection of 50 exceptional Bizen pieces, including works from the renowned "Living National Treasure" artist Jun Isesaki and several contemporary artists, offering a window into the evolution from traditional to modern interpretations of this ancient craft.

Crafted from special local clay and fired at temperatures between 1,200 and 1,300 degrees Celsius for up to two weeks, Bizen ceramics are celebrated for their unglazed surfaces and earthy simplicity, which reveal natural patterns formed by ash and charcoal. These pieces are not only artistic but also highly functional, traditionally valued for their durability and unique properties such as breathability and moisture retention, which make Bizen vases particularly esteemed for preserving flowers longer.

The exhibition, organized by Japan Articles Trading Monaco in collaboration with the city of Bizen and supported by the Association Monaco Friends of Japan, is free to the public and will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will also feature a sales corner where visitors can purchase these timeless ceramic pieces. This event not only highlights the cultural bridge between Monaco and Japan but also celebrates the lasting relevance of Bizen ceramics in contemporary art and everyday life.