Toshiko Takaezu: Portrait of an Artist

Toshiko Takaezu (1922-2011) lived most of her life in rural New Jersey, where she made pots, gardened, and taught ceramics at nearby Princeton University. But she was born in Hawaii to Japanese parents, and the landscapes and traditions of the world she grew up in had a profound influence on her art. In the early 1990s, producer Susan Wallner spent time talking to Toshiko about her life and work. They travelled to Hawaii to see the "devastation forest" and the sunrise at Haleakala. The film includes some of Toshiko's last Princeton students, who were invited to do a raku firing at her home studio. "Toshiko Takaezu: Portrait of an Artist" won a CINE Golden Eagle, and the New York Emmy for Outstanding Original Music went to composer John Hodian for its score.

[@joykrauthammer1259]

Very grateful for this video. Toshiko Takaezu was my teacher 45 years ago at the Brooklyn Museum School of Art. We went to her NJ studio. She is "poetic". My heart is warm to again see and hear her. Toshiko is a meditation. A decade ago I was blessed to see her ceramics at the LA Japanese Museum and immediately recognized them and the shakers that they were. I don't think I heard about her shakers in this magnificent beautiful video. Thank you. (After teaching in NY, I went on to teach ceramics in LA.)

[@artaware22]

In Memory of Toshiko - R.I.P She died in March of 2011 Toshiko's Legacy - 120709 For how many years did I knead clay throw clay on the wheel, extrude clay into natural forms and fire them once into bisque and fire them again into stoneware so they became vessels to complement inside decors or outside gardens or single flowers I was no good at glazing and didn't apologize for it My pieces were of red, cone-six clay, brushed with oxides to blend with nature's four seasons designed never to be out of place on a rotting log or a brick stone wall or even in a palatial mansion with floor to ceiling windows welcoming an outside rural scene inside or even in a Manhattan brownstone with ivy climbing up smaller windows outside, softening the city scene of brick and mortar with a touch of green seen inside My pots achieved my own acceptance, me, being my own harshest critic because of Toshiko's philosophy in her ceramic creations Her pots don't overpower the surroundings they're placed in they blend in They create an environment of harmony with nature, with God wherever they are My yearly trips to Toshiko's open houses for some thirty years have been pilgrimages to a sage's hut, a house not at all pretentious but rather filled with testaments to friendships with people of all stripes: students, teachers, leaders, dignitaries, solitaries Her pots have found their way into very pretentious places - but like certain scriptures, the high is made low - or accessible - to all who meet them because of their honesty, forthrighteousness Toshiko's pots feel, taste, look, sound and smell of the earth Even when I showed photographs of her pots to my elementary school classes the students responded with drawings that spoke to the five senses On my pilgrimages to Quakertown where I'm elbow to elbow with other pilgrims the atmosphere is hushed, reverential because of the master holding forth on her bench greeting friends from around the world by name - even though in some cases she hasn't seen them in a decade Toshiko has a following that has evolved and evolved over her eighty-seven years people like to be near her and near her pots She and her pots are other worldly - a part of the universe everyone can tap into Isn't it amazing!

[@arturobayangos1223]

‘ i would like to keep it simple ‘ . . . . Japanese art is simple . that is where the beauty come from .

[@brigittedusserrebresson1962]

I do love the way she speaks about her way of living, her work, art and so orinary basic thinks that become beauty

[@maestasify]

Gardening and pottery go very well with each other in a potter's life. Namaste.

[@MrRodgers007]

A truly beautiful woman.

[@suzannestadersteelman3769]

Hearing once again, the voice of "Toshiko Takaezu" is in it self a joyful voice from the heavens. Her Studio continues to grow as does her wonderfulness.

[@paulmitchell5349]

The focus in the making is the perfection,not the final artefact.

[@doinasusman4461]

Minunat, sunt fericită alături de voi, oameni frumoși!!! 🥰🥰🥰

[@Lilstinker63]

I was a student of hers as a very young child when she had her studio in Clinton NJ. RIP

[@MisterstereoOso]

Greetings from England, thank you for posting this fabulous video, what a wonderful woman. !!

[@The000000000789]

By being, and by the way you was existing, you was the perfection you was looking for.

[@berthaaliciakvale3493]

Ceramic art is beatiful. and she was inteligent and creativ. :)

[@bindasbudiya1443]

Blessed to watch such great art skill..she is a legacy and her art skill is deeply related to mother earth...look at the color combination and simplicity of her art skill..that set her apart from all..in order to reach this artistic and poetic level, more than a skill one should get highly and spiritual connected to nature then it comes out naturally..today everyone is following others footsteps .but her works reflects she....herself...hats off.....I feel mentally relaxed now.....thanks for this video ..

[@matasha8038]

Absolutely beautiful - both the artist and her work.

[@juditavillart5739]

so wonderful. she is truly missed.

[@artaware22]

Please visit The Takaezu Studio on Facebook. Don Fletcher and other artists are carrying on Toshiko's legacy.

[@janecollette9504]

A very lovely film, very thoughtful. the pots are beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

[@Autumn_Forest_]

Beautiful documentary. I had never heard of her before, but I really appreciate her work and your sharing of this story.

[@LoiLaing]

Thoroughly enjoyed this! Thanks for sharing.

[@DunoonVanRijn-dx1hr]

Rustic and just Raw Organic Product

[@eilmlilm2490]

I enjoyed this video so much! Wonderful talented lady. Thank you.

[@clsybear]

Fabulous

[@keoniriches4287]

12/3/2023 Mahalo Aunty Toshi, as I study Pythagorean Theorem. I have come to understand you more an more. I remember as a little keiki about 5 years old you put before me some of your bowls and you said pick one. You told me I had a good eye. I never forgot that. I often wondered why as we played chess and listened to Neal Diamond you made me play for hours till you finally won a chess game. I now understand why you did that. Again, mahalo Aunty Toshi for all the memories and wonderful times we had together.

[@E-Kat]

You were so lucky to be in her presence!! We were told off for making anything, as children as everything was making mess at home. Crayons were allowed, provided we put them back immediately! Even sewing was making mess.

[@mustaphataleb-bendiab7178]

Magnifique !!

[@ladyred2809]

In ah....peaceful to watch

[@christianegonbarnthaler1426]

super 1

[@charlesseitzinger8106]

when did she make her last piece of pottery? I'm curious, she seemed to dedicate every bit of energy into her craft.

[@StateoftheArtsNJ]

Toshiko Takaezu made some of her largest pieces in the last years of her life. Her "Star Series" were forms that were often taller than she was. Truly an amazing artist!

[@JuniorSilva-cd4ms]

👏👏❤❤

[@mrs.georges5837]

wise

[@TheRakuman]

19 people hit the thumbs down by accident.

[@splendidcakes]

Best comment I've read in a long time 💕

[@E-Kat]

19 people need glasses!!😂

[@mariaantoniacasadovinas8915]

Imprsionante

[@nicofrijia]

25:03

[@aleksandr174r8]

Красота.

[@linda3953]

漂亮👍

[@margietalk]

09:51

[@ceramicsmidlandcollege9419]

D.

[@melonbarmonster]

Japanese ceramics were developed in earnest by Korean masters abducted and forced into coerced labor in 1500's.

[@j.louisv.123]

I've seen better potters, still nice work.

[@Tj-ho2fs]

You missed the whole point of the video.

[@erikavin7025]

Your comment killed my brain cells. You didn’t get why she’s one of the greatest women ceramic artists in America

[@kevinjamiesonbelou]

I agree. Just because someone tells you that she is "the most important..." Doesnt mean shit. Sure shes good. Ive seen much better.

[@glenncambray626]

Agree. It's hardly astonishing, is it?

[@mtn1793]

Well. There are potters and then there are artists. If dishes are your thing don’t count out bone china.

[@MichaelHartleyBambooStudio]

naja. A lot of ideas, - mental process- and a lot of not actually beautiful pots. a lot of pompous comments! Reading into what's not actually there. she was probably ok...

[@E-Kat]

Show us your pots, please. Thank you.

[@kevinjamiesonbelou]

This is pretentious and cocky.