How Haiku Poems influenced Yoshiharu Katoh’s Porcelains

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Yoshiharu Katoh is a well-known figure throughout his native Japan, especially for his artwork and exhibitions. He is a master of the medium of fine porcelain and a wide range of Japanese styles of painting, from traditional inks to watercolors on silk. As a result, he has received several awards, such as the Porcelain Design Competition at Seto, the Gold Prize at the Nagoya Design Competition, and the President's Prize at the Seto Design Competition.

In his poetic vision, Yoshiharu aimed to introduce Japanese porcelain to the West through his collections of plates, which reveal different insights into life, beauty, nature, and philosophy that engineered the Japanese to create haiku poems hundreds of years ago. Below are a few of those pieces of porcelain with their different referents to Japanese culture.

Leaves


'Leaves' is a fine porcelain plate by Yoshiharu for collectors in Western society. It was inspired by the Japanese verse, 'Leaves' which is based on the ancient haiku poem by the poet Soseki. The 'Leaves' epitomizes the tranquillity and harmony of Japanese traditions in her fresh and colourful spring leaves.

O Leaves, ask the breeze

which of you will scatter first?

from the verdant trees.

A Butterfly


'A Butterfly' is another fine porcelain by Yoshiharu for collectors in Western society. The 'fragile wings' as well as the 'touch graceful hand' depict the tranquillity and harmony of old-world Japan. 'A Butterfly' porcelain plate is based on the ancient haiku poem by the poet Moritake.

A falling leaf thought I,

Fluttering back to the branch -

Was a butterfly.

Cherry Flowers


Yet, another fine porcelain collection by Yoshiharu is the 'Cherry Flowers' for collectors in the Western world. "As delicate as a lovely cherry flower, she epitomizes the tranquillity and harmony of traditional Japan." His porcelain plate of 'Cherry Flowers' is based on the ancient haiku poem by the poet Kyoshi.

The cherry flowers are now

In full bloom, and no petal

Flutters from the bough.

Orphan Sparrow


'Orphan Sparrow' is another Yoshiharu collection for collectors in Western society. 'Orphan Sparrow' is "an image of timeless beauty, she embodies the tranquillity and harmony of traditional Japan." This porcelain plate is based on the ancient haiku poem by the poet Issa.

With one another

Let's play; so, come, O Sparrow

Who has no mother?

PS: I bought four of these porcelains as listed above. After reading about the different visions for the porcelains and how for centuries, the haiku has informed the cultural and spiritual life of the Japanese, I was encouraged to share the above with you.

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