A striking black and orange striped vase in simplified ovoid form by Mukunoki Eizo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kokusai Tsubo. This was purchased at a Mitsukoshi Exhibition. It is 8 inches (20 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Mukunoki Eizo Born in Shimane, and graduated the prefectural ceramics research facility before he apprenticed under Kawai Kanjiro in 1958. He would stay with Kanjiro until the masters death in 1966...
A superb belted form covered in crawling blue by Living National Treasure Shimaoka Tatsuzo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Haiyu Jomon Zogan Wan...
A delightful small tea bowl by one of the greatest potters of the 20th century, Kamoda Shoji, enclosed in a wooden box signed by his wife. Brown glaze is draped quietly across the rough dark clay, the contrast between simplicity and texture a pleasure to hold. It is 4 inches (10 cm) Diameter, 2-1/2 inches (6.5 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Kamoda Shoji is without a doubt one of the most important and influential ceramic artists of the 20th century...
The lower half of a blackened enso dips from the rim on a backdrop of gray crackled glazing interspersed with auburn highlights. Rising up from below into the enso, frothy waves crash on rocks giving the impression of movement, power, and the indomitable forces of nature.
Born in Gifu Prefecture in the region known for Mino pottery, Wakao is the quintessential example of a self-taught potter who cultivated a unique style and achieved wide recognition despite no formal training...
As if dragged from the ocean floor, the calcified form of this star shaped shell glistens with foggy blue inside, capturing the heart of the sea from which it came. It is dark and murky near the rim,the color of ocean plants. A superlative bowl by Koike Shoko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Luster-sai Kai-no-Wan.
Size, D 14.5 cm H 10.6 cm
Condition, Excellent
Born in 1943, Shoko graduated Japan’s top art school (the Tokyo University of Art) i...
Mottled clay in lively matt colors blends on this square bottle by Living National Treasure Matsui Kosei enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Fuhakuji Henko. It is 12 x 15 x 13 cm (4-3/4 x 6 x 5-1/4 inches) and in excellent condition.
Here is a rare work reflecting the shape and character of the O-tsubo of this famous artist but in a more manageable size, a divine Tsubo by Tsujimura Shiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shizen-Yu Tsubo. The shape is organic, like a fruit or squash, with warm, rich coloration. Darkness stains the side like water which has poured incessantly from the rim for years, blackening the earth with minerals. Beads of feldspar bubble out of the surface, testament to its origin an...
A tall squared vase inlayed with the silhouette of trees against the evening sky by Saeki Moriyoshi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Zogan Jumoku Moyo Kabin and dated 1991. This artists fascination with trees against the sky is inspiring. He has chosen to imbue his works with memories of the perfect sunset, with an autumn morning or late afternoon in winter. This piece is quite large, 18 inches (45.5 cm) tall and in excellent condition...
A bottle encrusted in charred Shino glaze by Kumano Kurouemon enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shino Bin. Here and there about the surface can be seen kutsuki, areas where other things fused to the flask during the firing and were severed after. He has dimpled the base, so that despite the audacious appearance, it sits firm and flat on the surface.
Size, D 11.4 cm H 18.4 cm
Condition, Excellent
A ceramic madman, oil painter and recluse, Kuroem...
This bold and impressive Oni-Shino Kannon vase is by the master potter and legendary personality; Tsukigata Nahiko (1923-2006). This rare wood fired Oni-Shino vase is a classic pot by the artist with a wide array of effects and attributes that Tsukigata is well known for which was further painted by the ferocity of the wood firing having one of the most complex surfaces by him that I have seen...
Decidedly modern, Japanese, and minimalist; the textures, colors, and form of this fascinating tea bowl all suggest inspiration from natural objects. The grey, smooth, polished interior of the tea bowl contrasts nicely with the textured ferrous dark ochre ash glaze on the exterior...
A deep black glazed bowl perfect for winter tea by Tsukigata Nahiko enclosed in a wooden box annotated by his student and titled Seto Guro Chawan. The subtleties difficult to discern, there are two distinct colors of black, with shiny, and one matte. It is 4-1/2 inches (11.5 cm) diameter, 3-3/4 inches (9 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Tsukigata Nahiko (1923-2006) was not only an accomplished ceramic artist, but also a painter, calligrapher, sculptor and musician...
There is no doubt about the superlative nature of the deep celadon glazes used by Living National Treasure Nakajima Hiroshi, and this vessel is no let down. A creamy blue crackling glaze covers this artful form which comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Seiji Tsubo. It is 10-1/2 inches (26.5 cm) tall, 5-1/2 inches (14 cm) diameter and is in excellent condition.
Nakajima Hiroshi was born in Hiroshima in 1941...
An incredible piece by legendary Abe Anjin in the artists most sought after style of saishoku colors intimating leaves, blossoms and Mount Fuji (all strikingly disproportionate to each other) enclosed in the original signed wooden box and original lacquered wooden box also stamped by the artist...
Balancing the scales and industrial shape by Sodeisha star Takano Moto-o enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Utsuwa (Receptacle) and dating from the height of Sodeisha influence in the 1960s. It is 12 x 15 x 12 cm (5 x 6 x 5 inches) and in excellent condition.
Takano Moto-o was born into a Kyoto pottery family in 1934, and although trained as a potter of tea ceramics, moved into the world of sculpture, entering Sodeisha in 1966, and would exhibit with the avant garde...
A camellia, its red heart the symbol of youthful beauty, blossoms from the creamy aggregate covering this deep bowl by Ikeda Shogo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kohiki Tsubaki Chawan. A thinly applied white slip covers the body and patches of fawn colored spots dot the surface. Bursting with life from the bottom, a camellia spreads its leaves revealing a bright red jewel. Kohiki ware is based on Yi Dynasty Korean Punch'ng ware preferred by the warriors in the Momoyama a...
One of the best pieces I have ever seen by this revolutionary artist, a dark flask covered in rivulets of flowing ash by Kakurezaki Ryuichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kuro Tokkuri. Two shell shapes where it was propped in the kiln stare out like eyes on some ethnic mask from the back side, the front awash in a molten ash, tendrils of which wrap around like many fingers. It is breathtaking, and I am already jealous of the lucky soul who will get to keep it.
Size...
A superb example of the work of Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Bizen Kaku Tsubo.
Here we see clearly the design tenets which created the base for such stars as Kakurezaki Ryuichi, and the reason for which Jun, who is credited with innovating Bizen, was named a living National Treasure. Blanks of white, burnt red clay and green ash, each side is unique, and there is never a dull moment.
Size, D 14.3 cm H 27.2 cm
Co...
A rare and expressive example by the highly sought Tanaka Sajiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Chossen Karatsu Hana-ire. Every aspect of this work is unique, the slightest change in viewing point gives new insight into the work and the artist who created it. Rich green spreads like wet moss on one side, rust and dark iron pin-holed and distraught, form a base. Above drapes pale Chossen Karatsu colors and an unusual pair of handles cling to the side. If you get tired o...
One of the finest, most daring, and well-crafted works I have seen by this legendary artist who is known for his non-conformist and bold style. Suzuki Goro has outdone himself with this Rose Oribe ceremonial tea bowl. Oribe is a visual style named after the late-16th-century tea master Furuta Oribe (1544-1615). The most common types in this genre are Oribe-guro with jet-black glazes and feldspar ornamentation, Ao-Oribe with dark-green glazes, followed by the somewhat rarer type of Oribe known as...
A modernist form in white decorated with a simple zen circle by Yoshikawa Masamichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Utsuwa (vessel) and dating circa 1985. The minimalist approach is a feature of this artists work, and accentuates the aesthetic Mono-no-aware (p an awareness of impermanence)and the circle on front seems to remind us “keep it simple”. It is 11 x 16 x 18 cm (4-1/4 x 6-1/2 x 7 inches) and in excellent condition.
Yoshikawa Masamichi was born in Ka...
The swirling designs are like ritual tattoos from some long lost aboriginal tribe on the dark sides of this amazing work by important female artist Kitamura Junko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Vessel. She has covered the surface with these designs, thousands of tiny dots, each one an essential part of the pattern. The execution is flawless, perfect form and symmetry, precision to perfection in the design. An original black wooden lid allows it to work as a mizusa...
Appearing to capture an ocean inside a tea bowl, this particular work has been given the very fitting poetic name “Nami” or wave. Masterfully crafted by veteran potter Hideo Torazawa, the inside is painted with a special glaze known as heki-yu—prized for its pure aquamarine character with accents of sapphire and azure depending on the light.
Born in Gifu prefecture in 1935, Hideo Torazawa has enjoyed a long and productive career as a potter and has mastered a number of diffic...
This depiction of the eternal “ensō” on a backdrop of pearly white feldspar signifies enlightenment, the eternal, the nothingness, and the freedom of the mind to envision and to create. Wood-fired in a small-batch ana-gama, the techniques used to produce such works stretch back over 500 years and were only recently revived in the first half of the previous century by a dedicated group of artists.
The potter who created this piece (Kato Kozo) was born in 1935 in Gifu prefecture ...
A boat shaped vessel by Kishimoto Kennin of Iga clay covered in green copper glaze enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iga Oribe Kaki and exhibited at a solo exhibition in Umeda Hankyu Department Store: catalog included. It has a hurricane bow, the lines cut at a diagonal running down from it like froth leading to the wake as it plows forward. It is a powerful work, and as the catalog shows, is excellent for flower arranging. The Takarabune or boat shaped theme is a popular m...
A small Tsubo by modern pottery legend Tsujimura Shiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shizen-yu Hanaire. A superb example of natural ash-glaze in form and firing. One of his early pieces,that are very difficult to find in the market those days.
Size, D 17.6 cm H 13.2 cm
Condition, Excellent
Tsujimura Shiro was born in Nara in 1947, and began his steps into the art world as an oil painter. While living at a Buddhist temple he experienced a profo...
Mint and large Japanese pottery tea bowl of Hagi Ware, made by one of the most famous and creative potters of Japan, Seigan Yamane. The blue glaze reminds me always of the colors of universe at night. Stunning!
Seigan Yamane was born in 1952, and started making Hagi ware in 1987. He started his own pottery in 1992 and since then he won a lot of prizes for his great work. The special blue on most of his ceramics is called 'Seigan Blue' and was developed in 2002. Not least for th...
Very sophisticated Shino chawan by Japanese artist Ko Ji Nakamura. It has a rarely seen Shino glaze of light pink, grey and blue color, designed with plum blossoms. A really aesthetic bowl which fits the palm of the hands perfectly.
This chawan was made around 30 years ago and is well balanced. The seal of his potter name (Kozan-gama) is stamped on the bottom.
It is is perfect condition. No chips or cracks.
Size: 8,7 cm height x 12,3 cm in diameter.
Dripping green and blue glaze on the front of this sake pourer by Tamba legend Nishihata Tadashi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hai-yu Chuki.An unusual sake pourer with gold color metal handle and amazing Hai-yu ash glaze kiln effcts.This is a top quality work by this highly sought artist, and a rare opportunity for one of the best.
Size, D 16.8 cm H 8.8 cm (15.8cm including the handel)
Nishihata Tadashi was born in Sasayama in the mountains of Hyogo, an ...
As if dragged from the ocean floor, the calcified form of this star shaped shell glistens with foggy blue inside light purple glazed around the rim and dark and murky on the base, capturing the heart of the sea from which it came. A marvellous Water Jur by Koike Shoko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kai-no-katachi and date 2012. An excellent example of this artist and her Sell series.
Size, D 27.2 cm H 18.4 cm
Condition, Excellent
Born in 1943, ...
A jagged glass shard has embedded into this One-of-a-kind Chawan by Kato Tsubusa enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Sometsuke Chawan. The front has dripping deep blue and black glaze, White clay on the back side and pool of thick pale green inside of the bowl. A rare and expressive combination of affects. This is a superlative work by the artist, and one I am very proud to be able to offer.
Size, D 11.8 x 17.5 cm H 9.8 cm
Condition, Excellent
Ripples of light and dark pigmentation flowing on a background of sky-blue glaze—the description on the box reads 萩孔雀 (Hagi kujyaku) translating as “peacock Hagi” in English. With a distinctive wari-kodai (segmented foot) and unique glaze emulating the vibrant plumage of the notoriously flamboyant bird, this piece leaves a lasting impression.
Born in the illustrious potting town of Hagi, Yamane began his potter’s journey at the age of 35. Unlike many ceramicists who b...
Large Aka-raku style chawan with excellent modeling and spatula work with a perfect, small kodai on which the bowl balances giving it a wonderful lift upward. Measuring in at 13.5 x 9.5 centimeters, this chawan has an exceptional posture and balance, feeling great in the hand and appearing larger than the dimensions would indicate. The surface has a wonderful complexity to it, like mist on a pond with the color coming out to greet the viewer with rich, dark black carburized spots punctuating the...
Traditional Oribe hachi with vivid combed flowing water texture made by the internationally lauded potter, Kato Yasukage XIV. Elegant and traditional in form with quick, gestural combed texture on the front and stright lined texture to the back, creates a wonderfully decorative and functional hachi which balances on three well conceived feet. This is a classic Oribe, full of motion by Kato Yasukage XIV, a perfect blend of form, texture, colors and posture make it an excellent example by a potte...
Exquisite colors pool and drip on this oil spot glazed vase by Living National Treasure Shimizu Uichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kamahen Tenmoku-yu Kabin dating circa 1970. It is 22.3 cm (9 inches) tall, 16.5 cm (6-1/2 inches) diameter and is in excellent condition.
Shimizu Uichi (1926-2004) was born in Kyoto the son of a ceramic dealer. Discarding the family business he apprenticed in plastic arts under Ishiguro Munemaro. His work retains some principal elements of...
One of the more innovative and international minded ceramicists on the Japanese pottery scene, Ryoji Koie’s interests and expertise cannot be confined to one narrow genre—as he often integrates non-traditional methods and materials. Born in the town of Tokonmae in 1938, from a young age he studied potting—a staple of the local economy—and later went on to do independent research, open his own kiln, travel widely participating in international conferences and workshops, and finally to bec...