Sakaida Kakiemon XIII

Sakaida Kakiemon XIII 十三代酒井田柿右衛門 (1906-1982). Kakiemon XIII was born in Arita in 1906 with the name Sakaida Shibuo. He graduated from the Arita Industrial School in 1924 and went to work with his father Kakiemon XII. In contrast to his conservative father who favoured traditional methods, Kakiemon XIII when possibly sketched his own designs often from nature and attempted to create new shapes and patterns to refresh the traditional Kakiemon artistic vocabulary. In 1953 his father and he succeeded in recreating the later 17th century famous creamy white porcelain body called nigoshide that made Kakiemon wares so attractive to European markets. He assumed the family name on the death of his father in 1963. The very same year he began to display his works at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Association (the vehicle for being designated a Living National Treasure). In 1971 the technique of nigoshide was designated a National Important Cultural Treasure and Kakiemon XIII was designated its protector. In 1972 he was given the Imperial Commendation of the Purple Cordon. In 1973 Kakiemon XIII himself was designated a Living National treasure by the Japanese government. In 1978 he was awarded by the Japanese Emperor the Order of the Rising Sun Gold Rays with neck Ribbon. He died in 1982 at the age of 75 and was succeeded by his son Kakiemon XIV.