The Okinawan Clayart Bio Chi


Banyan Tree ( native to Okinawa ) vessel

 

The pottery of Samsung Miyagi and family 

 

When I first glanced at the pottery of Samsung (Mitsunari ) Miyagi from Okinawa in Japan, I felt his works emanated a vibrancy and clarity which is usually indicative of a positive Chi. He comes from a family of potters and the other family members also produced pieces of a similar quality. Then I recollected how the Okinawan’s have the distinction of having the highest concentration of centenarians in the world. Around 97% of the residents of Okinawa live their life without suffering any physical ailments.

Having  an interest in Eastern medicine and having considered the unique Okinawan longevity, I thought I might briefly mention some of the factors that caught my attention. Diet wise, they consume around seven different vegetables in a meal, and they favor sweet potatoes and bitter melons. They never eat till they feel full, but stop at about 75% capacity. Before they eat they toast with the words – ‘hara hachi bu’ -which basically means – ‘overeating :  not a very good idea’ . This reflects their cultural belief in balance and moderation. They subsist on around 1200 calories per day ( average in the West is 3600 ) They only indulge in a minimal consumption of meat and favor fish and tofu for proteins, along with seaweeds, miso and rice.

The Okinawan’s believe they are teenagers up to the age of 50, which is probably the most distinctive quality in their mindset compared to the West. A powerful affirmation of youth in that belief ! They remain high spirited into their 100’s and they drink more tea then water, preferring high quality green tea and kohencha tea.

I’m tempted to purchase one of their pieces just to be reminded of the life affirming Chi they so successfully cultivate.

 

 

Samsung Miyagi :

Samsung Miyagi lidded bowl

Futamono  – Samsung Miyagi

Samsung Miyagi ceramic square bottle

Square bottle

Samsung Miyagi octopus vase

Ocotpus ceramic vessel – Samsung Miyagi

 

Porcelain Cup - arabesque pattern - Samsung Miyagi

Porcelain Cup – arabesque pattern  –  Samsung Miyagi

Samsung Miyagi carved teal vase

Carved green vase

Samsung Miyagi vase

Samsung Miyagi vase

Japanese Samsung Miyagi ceramic bottle

Vessel with finger impressions

 

 

Samsung Miyagi carved vase

Surface carved vase

Okinawa Kiln

Okinawa Kiln

Ceramic Cup with arabesque design - Samsung Miyagi

 Cup with arabesque design – Samsung Miyagi

Large Vase Floral Design Samsung Miyagi

Large Vase Floral Design

Long neck ceramic bottle - Samsung Miyagi

Long neck ceramic bottle –  Samsung Miyagi

Hibiscus design teapot - Samsung Miyagi

Hibiscus design teapot – Samsung Miyagi

Samsung Miyagi Ceramic bottle with fish motif

Samsung Miyagi Ceramic bottle with fish motif

Octopus Tokkuri ( Sake pouring vessel )

Octopus Tokkuri ( Sake pouring vessel )

Hibiscus Flower Plate - Samsung Miyagi

Hibiscus Plate – Samsung Miyagi

Samsung Miyagi Okinawa pottery

Samsung Miyagi Okinawa pottery

 

 

Samsung Miyagi Okinawa pottery vase

Samsung Miyagi Okinawa pottery – Tall Vase 35cm

Samsung Miyagi Okinawa pot

Samsung Miyagi Okinawa pot

Green glaze bottle - Samsung Miyagi

Green glaze bottle –  Samsung Miyagi

Green glaze engraved bottle - Samsung Miyagi

Engraved Vase 30cm height –  Samsung Miyagi

Samsung Miyagi vessels ready for the kiln

Samsung Miyagi vessels Waiting to be fired

Crab motif vase Samsung Miyagi

Crab motif vase – Samsung Miyagi

CrabTeapot - Samsung Miyagi

 Teapot – Samsung Miyagi

Hand painted Bamboo design - Samsung Miyagi

Hand painted Bamboo design –  Samsung Miyagi

Green Mitsunari Saki bottle by Samsung Miyagi

Green Mitsunari Saki bottle by Samsung Miyagi

Japan fish design plate - Samsung Miyagi

Japan fish design plate – Samsung Miyagi

 Large square platter - Gajimaru trees by Samsung Miyagi

 Large square platter – Gajimaru trees

Large Fish Carving Vase - Samsung Miyagi

Large Vase –  Samsung Miyagi

 

 

Samsung Miyagi ceramic shop, Okinawa Japan

Samsung Miyagi ceramic shop, Okinawa  Japan

 

 

Censer incense vessel - Samsung Miyagi

Censer incense vessel –  Samsung Miyagi

Samsung Miyagi green glaze ceramic bottle

Samsung Miyagi green glaze ceramic bottle

Jade green bottle - Samsung Miyagi

Jade green bottle – Samsung MiyagiCeramic bottle - Satoshi Miyagi

Ceramic bottle –  Satoshi Miyagi ( father of Samsung Miyagi  )

Ceramic Dobuzuke - Satoshi Miyagi

Dobuzuke – Satoshi Miyagi

Large carved ceramic vessel - Satoshi Miyagi

Large carved ceramic vessel – Satoshi Miyagi

Dachibin - Sumiko Miyagi ( mother of Samsung Miyagi )Dachibin – Sumiko Miyagi (  mother of Samsung Miyagi )

Kinjo Toshio fish ceramic bottle

Kinjo Toshio – (  Uncle of Samsung Miyagi  )

Fish and shrimp design bottle - Jiro Kinjo

 Fish and shrimp carved design bottle  – Jiro Kinjo  (  grandfather of Samsung Miyagi )

Satoshi Miyagi

 

 

2 Comments

  1. Anonymous
    Posted June 9, 2013 at 1:00 pm | Permalink

    Love clay art elegance

  2. Shain
    Posted May 15, 2023 at 2:18 pm | Permalink

    Thank you for honoring my sensei and good friend, Mitsunari .

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