Burning Tradition

Bookwatch, The, Dec, 2008

Burning Tradition

Ken Matsuzaki

Pucker Art Publications

c/o Syracuse University Press

1600 Jamesville Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210

www.SyracuseUniversityPress.syr.edu

1879985209, $50.00, 1-800-365-8929

Born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1950, Ken Matsuzaki graduated from the Fine Arts Ceramic Department of Tamagawa University in 1972 to become an apprentice to the late Tatsuzo Shimaoka who was acclaimed as a National Living Treasure by the Japanese government. After studying with this master potter and internationally renowned artist for five years, Matsuzaki established his own kiln and created memorable works of art utilizing both gas- and wood-fired kilns while developing his own distinctive Shino glaze. Now presented in "Burning Tradition", the artist and his art are showcased with a profuse gallery of his work presented in full color. Enhanced with an informed and informative essay by Asian art expert Andrew L. Maske (currently an Assistant Professor of Art History at the University of Kentucky), "Burning Tradition" is an impressive and illustrative study of a master potter, making it an enthusiastically recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Art History collections in general, and Japanese ceramic reference shelves in particular.