Iroe-Jiki Porcelain Yunomi With Floral Motif

Fujimoto Yoshimichi (1919-1992), a native of Tokyo, was an accomplished painter as well as a master ceramicist. He painted primarily birds and flowers, and combined both Japanese traditional painting styles with Western techniques. His painting merged seamlessly with his pottery. He is renowned for his creation of a special glaze for overglaze enamel porcelain (iroe-jiki) that preserved the painterly effect of the decoration beneath the glaze. The effects of the glaze can be seen in this yunomi--the painted flowers have a delicate transparency that evokes traditional ink painting. Fujimoto was named a Japanese National Living Treasure in 1986.