Rosanjin

Born in 1883 in a small village north of Kyoto, Rosanjin, whose real name was Fusajiro Kitaoji, was a potter, painter, calligrapher, cook and gourmet. Rosanjin was a true Renaissance man and a friend of the likes of Noguchi (who moved to live next door to him), Picasso and Chagall.

Regarded by many as the greatest ceramicist of the 20th century, he potted in a wide variety of styles and was given a solo exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, New York in April/May 1954.

He refused the designation of National Living Treasure not once but twice before his death in 1959.

Here's a small plate with one of the many incised marks that he used during his career on the reverse.

 

This plate was originally part of the collection of Robert Moore, who was a distinguished American collector of Oriental Ceramics.

A Bizen style dish around 17 cm in diameter.


The reverse with Rosanjin's ro mark.

The dish came with a signed wooden box and here's an image of the lid.