A Quantitative Analysis of Gallery Talks by Sakaida Kakiemon XV: Examining the Style of His Works

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics of style and aesthetic sense of Sakaida Kakiemon XV, as well as to determine how he responded to contemporary ceramics by blending tradition and innovation. Text mining was conducted on gallery talks held during Sakaida Kakiemon XV exhibitions over a three-year period from 2017 to 2019, in order to analyze how beliefs, principles, and concepts about the creation of artworks are realized and implemented in actual pieces of art.
The results revealed that up until 2017, the artist's style involved 'drawing simple patterns on Nigoshide of various shapes,' but from 2018 onwards, 'modifications with an awareness of Kakiemon style colors' were added. By 2019, there was an implementation of 'composition of motifs with an awareness of Kakiemon style balance,' indicating clear progress. This was not simply a return to the classical designs of his forebears, but rather a fusion of tradition and innovation. Kakiemon XV realized that with a modern approach and sensibility, his new style would better suit the people of this era. By continuing to create without stagnation, he would lead to new creations and styles.