Caly, Iron, and Fire: The Bizen and Setouchi Heritage
Onishi Gallery, specializing in KOGEI (contemporary craft art from Japan), is proud to present a special exhibition “Clay, Iron, and Fire: The Bizen and Setouchi Heritage,” celebrating the enduring artistry of ceramics and swords from two culturally rich cities in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. The exhibition will run from November 5 to 21.
In addition to the gallery exhibition, Onishi Gallery will partner with the leading New York contemporary design fair Salon Art + Design, scheduled to be held from November 6 to 10 at the historic Park Avenue Armory.
The story of Bizen ware begins 900 years ago when local artisans first produced large vessels, hand-built from iron-rich, brick-red local clay, fired over long periods to develop signature textures and hues from the unpredictable effects of flame and flying ash. Some 300 years later, Bizen ware captured the attention of elite pacesetters who were laying the foundations of chanoyu (the “tea ceremony”). In response, Bizen’s potters created utensils for chanoyu use that have been sought after ever since for their chance effects, rough textures, marks of the maker’s touch, and varied coloration.
Around the same time that Bizen ceramics were first made, nearby Osafune—now part of Setouchi City—became a hub for master swordsmiths who would go on to create close to half of the historic blades designated today as “National Treasures” or “Important Cultural Properties.” Osafune (Bizen) swords are prized for their beautiful temper line, subtle grain pattern, elegant curvature, and balance of aesthetic grace with battlefield utility.
Setouchi's artistic legacy includes Mushiage ware, developed in the nineteenth century for senior samurai use. With a transparent glaze made from local pine ash that creates gentle, warm colors, Mushiage ceramics have a quiet refinement that makes them ideal for chanoyu. Sueki pottery is also part of Setouchi City's diverse ceramic tradition and is regarded as the precursor to Bizen ware.
Together, Bizen and Setouchi ceramics and Osafune blades represent the pinnacle of Japanese traditional craft—painstaking craftsmanship applied to unique natural resources in the form of rich deposits of clay, naturally high in metallic content and coarse particles; iron sand gathered from riverbeds and mountain streams; and abundant fuel, from forests of akamatsu (red pine wood), that can achieve kiln, furnace, and smithy temperatures in excess of 2,000°F.
We invite you to explore the timeless beauty of KOGEI—artworks shaped by centuries of tradition, technical mastery, and a spirit of innovation. Both our Salon Art + Design booth and our special gallery exhibition will highlight how KOGEI continues to inspire contemporary design and enrich global lifestyles.
These events also support the mission of KOGEI USA, a not-for-profit established with the goal of raising the reputation of Japanese traditional arts and culture outside Japan by holding exhibitions and cultural events at major museums throughout the US and Europe.
The exhibition at Onishi Gallery will feature about 30 artists from Bizen and Setouchi, including the ceramic artists Isezaki Jun (b. 1936; Living National Treasure, 2004), Yoshimoto Tadashi (b. 1943), Kaneshige Kosuke (b. 1943), Abe Anjin (b. 1938), Takezaki Noriyasu (b. 1968) alongside many others.
For more information on the exhibitions, please contact Nana Onishi at 212-695-8035, or by email at nana@onishigallery.com. Or, please visit the gallery website at www.onishigallery.com.
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Exhibition I:
Onishi Gallery
16 E 79th Street, Ground Floor, New York, NY 10075
November 5 – 21, 2025
Opening Reception: Wednesday, November 5, 6 – 8pm
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10am – 5pm
Exhibition II:
Salon Art + Design
Park Avenue Armory
643 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065
November 6 – 10, 2025
Onishi Gallery: Booth C9
Collector Preview (by invitation only): Thursday, November 6, 6 – 9pm; Special VIP Hours (by invitation only): Friday, November 7, 11am – 2pm; General Show Hours: Friday, November 7, 2 – 8pm; Saturday, November 8, 11am – 7pm; Sunday, November 9, 11am – 7pm; Monday, November 10, 11am – 4pm
Organizers
Bizen City (Okayama Prefecture)
Setouchi City (Okayama Prefecture)
Gallery Contact
Nana Onishi / 212.695.8035 / nana@onishigallery.com
Exhibition Designer
Lenka Soares
Media Contacts
Andrey & Melissa Public Relations
a@andreyandmelissa.com
m@andreyandmelissa.com