Thanks to the feverish work of students under pottery expert Ifukube Rei, reproductions of Jōmon period earthenware are on display/Atsugi

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1201240021/

January 25, 2012

The works on display bring out the romance of the Jōmon period  = The Citizen's Gallery of Nakacho, Atsugi City

The breath of life overflows from the Jōmon earthenware display, held at the Citizen's Gallery of Nakacho, Atsugi City (Located in the Aeon Shopping Mall (Japanese site). Admission is free. Open until 1:00PM of January 30.

The event was organized by the "Creation of Jōmon Earthenware" academic course, in which Ifukube Rei supervises fourteen students at a time. The course takes place twice a month. It’s taught by pottering expert Ifukube, who has been creating Jōmon earthenware for over 30 years. In April and August, the pieces are completed in a controlled burning, as was done in the Jōmon period.

At the event location is a lineup of 100 of the students pieces, primarily based on records of originally excavated remains. Because of the students’ devotion to their work, it's as if the pieces displayed have once again been excavated from the Earth. Such things as Dogū (Clay figures) and Jinmen (People Faces) (Japanese site) used for rituals, Doban (Clay panels) (Japanese site) and of course earthenware will be on display. This group of students can be called orthodox, as they even attached handmade knot patterns made of string to the front of the earthenware.

Ifukube Rei had an interest in archeology before, but is presently consulting the earthenware manufacturing methods in each area of South East Asia. In doing this, she's looking for an understanding on the beginnings of earthenware production during the Jōmon period. "The design of Jōmon earthenware is rich in appeal. Pottery experts still feel completely astounded from the pieces of 10,000 years before." Those visiting the gallery don't have to just appreciate the earthenware for its aesthetic value. The pieces are also planned to be used for boiling and cooking.

For questions, Ifukube can be reached at 046(247)4894.

Original text

忠実に再現・縄文土器、陶芸家の生徒が力作披露/厚木

2012年1月25日

縄文のロマンを感じる作品点＝厚木市中町の市民ギャラリー

生命の息吹あふれる縄文土器の作品展が厚木市中町の市民ギャラリー（イオン厚木店）で開かれている。入場無料。30日午後１時まで。

「縄文土器創作講座」（伊福部（いふくべ）玲主宰、14人）の主催。同講座では月２回ほど、陶芸家の傍ら30年以上縄文土器を製作している伊福部さんが教えている。できた作品を４、８月に縄文時代さながらに野焼きして完成させている。

会場には生徒らの作品１００点が並ぶ。ほとんどが遺跡の発掘記録をもとに、実際に出土したものを忠実に再現したもの。土器はもちろん、土偶や人面が付いた祭祀（さいし）用といわれる土版（どばん）などもある。土器表面の縄目文様を付けるのに使うひもも手作りで用意するという本格派だ。

伊福部さんは以前から考古学に興味があり、現在でも土器を使っている東南アジア各地の製法などを参考にして縄文土器作りを始めた。「縄文土器はデザイン豊かで迫力がある。１万年前にやり尽くされたというショックも陶芸家として感じる」。芸術品として鑑賞するだけでなく、実際に土器を使って煮炊きすることも予定している。

問い合わせは、伊福部さん電話０４６（２４７）４８９４。