YOKU MOKU MUSEUM Founder Toshiyasu Fujinawa
Vision on Picasso’s Ceramics

Ⅰ
My father, devoted confectioner and YOKU MOKU founder, passed away at age 72 in the late fall of 1989….
It was at around this time that I came across a very large book devoted entirely to Picasso’s ceramics….
I was astonished that Picasso could create such powerful ceramics in his later years, starting from around the age my father was when he died. I found it incredible.

Ⅱ
The passion and sincerity I sensed in Picasso’s craftsmanship, the heartfelt work of his hands, made me recall something my father said: “Heartfelt sincerity in craftsmanship done by hand is essential to the creation of appealing confectionery.” With this in mind, I sensed a profound connection between Picasso’s ceramics and my father’s philosophy, YOKU MOKU’s core value. My chance encounter with a special book inspired me to collect ceramics created by Picasso.

Ⅲ
Although all the ceramic works of Picasso’s fish series obviously share the theme of fish, each has its distinct character and charm. I never lose interest in this. Quite the contrary, it inspires me to delve deeper and deeper.

＜Picasso Ceramics exhibition catalog, Shizuoka Country Hamaoka Course & Hotel, August 1994＞

Ⅳ
Picasso’s ceramics give you a feeling of excitement and joy. This is true for sweets as well.

＜Minato-City Community Magazine Kissport, Vol. 348, May 5, 2023＞

Ⅴ
I came across Picasso’s ceramics just at the time I was wondering how to carry on my father’s concept of “confectionery as creation.” Picasso’s ceramics seem to “laugh” and “dance.” I feel a natural connection with confectionary….
Picasso’s ceramics date from around the time he was the age my father passed away. My father founded YOKU MOKU in his later years. I felt something in common between Picasso’s passion for ceramics and my father’s dedication to confectionery. I was reminded of my father’s words, “Sincere craftsmanship by hand is essential to the creation of appealing confectionery.” This is the reason it feels particularly significant for me to collect Picasso’s ceramics….
Picasso’s ceramics touch people’s hearts. This is true as well for confectionery in the sense of my father’s idea of confectionery as a form of artistic creation.

＜The Japan Food Journal, August 3, 2020＞

Ⅵ
My father, founder of YOKU MOKU Noriichi Fujinawa, said “confectionery is created, not manufactured.” Picasso’s ceramics bring joy. Sweets also bring joy and happiness.

Ⅶ
Picasso’s ceramics are first and foremost cheerful. He created them in the south of France where he came with his lover after having experienced two world wars. That it was a happy time of his life is evident in the brightness and vivid colors of his ceramics. Such joy is what we aim for in confectionery making, and in everything we do.

＜Omosan STREET, Vol. 083, February 18, 2023＞