The Hound of Beauty: The Story of the Ataka Collection of the Osaka Museum of Oriental Ceramics

The Osaka Museum of Oriental Ceramics is a sacred place in the minds of ceramics lovers all over the world. It has top-notch Chinese and Korean ceramic collections, the core of which comes from the "Ataka Collection" founded by Mr. Ataka. With his unique aesthetics and vision, Mr. Ataka has established a world-renowned collection of Oriental ceramics, including two Japanese "national treasures" - Longquan Kiln Feiqing Porcelain Yuhuchun Vase and Jian Kiln Oil Drop Tianmu Tea Bowl, as well as a large number of ceramic masterpieces with cultural and artistic value, such as Ru Kiln Narcissus Basin and Yuan Blue and White Lotus Pond Fish and Algae Pattern Jar. At present, the Osaka Museum of Oriental Ceramics is closed for renovation and is expected to reopen in spring 2024. During the closure, its collection will be exhibited at Tokyo Izumiya Hakukokan from March 18 to May 21.

Mr. Ikutaro Ito, the author of "Hound of Beauty: The Remaining Stories of the Ataka Collection of the Osaka Museum of Oriental Ceramics", has followed Mr. Ataka for more than 40 years and is also the first director of the Osaka Museum of Oriental Ceramics. The author describes himself as a "hound of beauty" and tells a series of stories about the "Ataka Collection" from its establishment to the crisis it faced and the establishment of the art museum with delicate brushstrokes, recording a period of pursuit and exploration of the beauty of ancient art. The book displays high-definition color images of 46 Chinese and Korean art treasures collected by the museum, most of which were taken by the famous photographer Mr. Rokuda Chihiro, allowing readers to feel the baptism of art and culture and appreciate the unique charm of East Asian ceramics.