Exhibition Outlines

Mitsumine-gama Kiln was constructed by ceramist Kato Hajime in 1950, in response to Prince Chichibu Yasuhito’s interest in creating ceramics, while recuperating at the Prince’s second house in Gotemba. The name “Mitsumine-gama” comes from the “three peaks” (mitsu means three, and mine means peak) seen from the Gotemba second house, namely the mountains Fuji, Hakone and Ashitaka, and the three peaks of Chichibu, closely related to the Prince’s family name. The Prince created ceramics guided by Kato Hajime once a year for three years. Although the chances were limited, his works are superior suggesting his interest towards ceramics and his academic personality. His works received much attention at the Posthumous works of Prince Chichibu Exhibition held in 1953 at Tokyo and Osaka after the Prince passed away. In the next year due to the enthusiasm of related persons, the Prince’s posthumous works were published in a catalogue titled Gyokuyo Ryuho in order to place them among history.

After Prince Yasuhito passed away, the Mitsumine-gama Kiln was closed for a while, but then members of the Imperial Family and close people visited and enjoyed creating ceramics once again with Princess Chichibu Setsuko. Prince Takamatsu Nobuhito and Princess Takamatsu Kikuko often visited Mitsumine-gama Kiln and spent time creating ceramics. Both of them were well versed in art in general, and all of their works such as tea bowls, show their refined tastes.

In this exhibition, we will introduce the works related to Mitsumine- gama kiln among those bequeathed from late the Prince Chichibu and late Prince Takamatsu families, along with works by ceramists with deep connection to both families such as Kato Hajime who guided them.

We express our deep gratitude towards Gotemba City (Chichibunomiya Memorial Park) for lending their valuable works to this exhibition.