22680 Mineo Okabe (Powder celadon cup (Mikishiki))

Height 5.6cm Diameter 7.9cm

Ceramicist Okabe Mineo, who was known for his unique style of work, known as "Okabe Mineo Celadon," and who specialized in celadon and Oribe wares, passed away at 6:03 pm on September 4th at Nagoya Second Red Cross Hospital in Nagoya City due to respiratory failure. He was 70 years old. He was born on October 3rd, 1919 (Taisho 8) in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture, as the eldest son of ceramicist Kato Tokuro. In 1937 (Showa 12), he graduated from Aichi Prefectural Seto Ceramics School. He continued to create works in his father's pottery studio in Moriyama Ward, Nagoya City, and after the war, in 1952, he was first selected for the 8th Nitten Exhibition with his "Shino Hen Jar." In 1954, he entered his "Blue Oribe Jar" in the 10th Nitten Exhibition, where he won the Hokuto Award. He began exhibiting at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in 1958, and won the Encouragement Award at the 6th Exhibition the following year, and the Grand Prix Silver Award at the 3rd International Ceramic Exhibition in Prague in 1962. During this time, in 1960, the "Einin Vase Incident" occurred, in which it was alleged that the Einin Vase, designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan, was a forgery made by Kato Tokuro, causing a stir as both Tokuro and Mineo, father and son, claimed it was their own work. As a result of this incident, he changed his surname from his maiden name of Kato to his wife's, Okabe. In 1963, he left the Japan Crafts Association and became independent, after which he exhibited his works at solo exhibitions and other events. He created unique forms that combined classical techniques with a modern sensibility.