Kutani Studies Series – Vol. II: Kutani Calligraphy

KUTANI CALLIGRAPHY
Signatures, Seals, Inscriptions and Miniature Calligraphy from Edo to the Present

This 203 pages, 11 inches, richly illustrated volume presents the first comprehensive study devoted entirely to Kutani calligraphy, tracing its development from the Edo period to contemporary production.

Drawing upon more than thirty years of research, the book examines not only signatures and seals, but also literary inscriptions, miniature calligraphy (saiji), workshop organization, and the cultural transmission of Chinese and Japanese literary traditions through Kutani ceramics.

Particular attention is given to:

  • the evolution of Kutani calligraphy from Edo to the present;
  • Chinese and Japanese literary sources;
  • Chinese pattern books and their influence on Kutani decoration;
  • calligraphic scripts and their identification;
  • miniature calligraphy (saiji) and its leading masters;
  • signatures, seals, workshop marks, and tomobako;
  • attribution methodology and documentary evidence.

The volume is extensively illustrated with documented examples from museum collections, private collections, historical publications, and the author’s own research archives.

The book is available in hardcover or paperback from:

Amazon: [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HCJJFZR9] also UK, DE, FR, ES, IT, NL, PL, SE, BE, IE, CA, AU

Amazon Japan: [https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0HCJD5WN1]

The Kutani Studies Series will continue with additional volumes devoted to Kutani akae, Meiji Kutani, Gilt-Bronze Mounted Kutani, and other specialized aspects of Kutani ceramics.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to the collectors, researchers, museum curators, artists, and friends who generously shared documents, photographs, discussions, and encouragement throughout this research.

Georges Bouvier
Kutani Ceramic Website
www.kutani.org