The name “Tobe-ware” first appeared in historical documents in the mid-18th century, though the tradition itself dates back well over 1,000 years. Within this style can be found an abundance of fine porcelain and celadon works as well as works painted with dark ferrous glazes—such as the piece featured here.

The creator of this fine work Sakai Yoshito (b. 1931) has been the main figure in maintaining the Tobe-ware tradition in modern times...

A striking tea bowl showing precipitous dark mountains shadowed by drifts of white Hagi fog by Saka Koraizaemon XII enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hagi Chawan.  Rough textured clay and smooth white glazes combine for a tactile ménage.  The bowl conforms beautifully to the palm, and rests on a sturdy three part kodai.  It was the featured work on the invitation card of a Takashimaya Department Store exhibition and comes complete with a signed catalog from the show. 
...

Stripes of vivid color define this very large pottery bowl by Watanabe Kunio enclosed in the original wooden box titled Iro-e Kin/Gin-Sai Sen Mon Hachi. It is 43 cm (17 inches) diameter and in excellent condition. Due to size the cost of shipping will be accrued separately.
The first time I saw this artists work I was blown away by the precision, skill and beauty inherent...

Extraordinary Hagi Chawan made by Seigan Yamane. The bowl is covered with a wonderful draft ice glaze. Mint condition.

Seigan Yamane was born in 1952, and started making Hagi ware in 1987. And then, he started his own pottery in 1992 and has ever been awarded a lot of prizes for his great work.

Size: 9 cm height x 14 cm in diameter.

Shipping included...

An organic form covered in thick emerald glaze Higashida Shigemasa and enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Oribe Jikiro.  The eclectic shape is rendered roma block of clay, hollowed and torn, like the ragged crags of Gifu, home of this pottery tradition.  Natural textures to bring out the depths of the oribe green, and electric shimmers of blue rush over the edges evoking the sense of water on the move...

A superb example of Iga in a slightly flaring form by Tsujimura Kai enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iga Chawan.  A perfect charring descends like a waterfall from the rim on one side, sheltered by crystallized green ash on the flame scorched terracotta body.  The exverted shape allows the bowl a very comfortable fit into the palm, and the wide kodai base allows it to sit stable and firm, creating a proud silhouette. 
Size, D 13.4 cm   H 8.8  cm  
Condition, ...

This is everything we could hope for in a bowl by this esteemed artist, Kakurezaki Ryuichi enclosed in th original signed wooden box.  The first photograph tells it all, with a superb, organic form displaying a hint of green ash on the rim over a burnished red bleeding into raw pale clay spattered with goma and matte reds with small inclusions peeking out through the clay surface.  The wide base and low stance create a very powerful presence. 
Size, D 12.2 x 13.8 cm   H 11.1  cm (in...

One of the more innovative and international minded ceramicists on the Japanese pottery scene, Ryoji Koie’s interests and expertise are barely confined by this genre—as he often integrates non-traditional methods and materials...

An unprecedented work by modern pottery legend Tsujimura Shiro covered in feldspathic glaze and enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Nezumi Shino Chawan.  Here rich iron burns red on one side, fading slowly into the white glaze scarred by pin holes, traces of the artists fingers in the rising body and about the base, where he held it while dipping in the glaze.   A shino Chawan by this artist is virtually unheard of, and rarely comes to market. 
Size, D 12.8 cm   H 9.6�...

With a design reminiscent of mineral deposits on Martian rock, this bold and visually captivating tea bowl is the creation of one of Japan's more controversial and revolutionary-minded potters. 

Nakamura Kimpei (b. 1935) was born in Kanazawa but later—after a period of residency abroad— made his way to Tokyo where he established a kiln...

Graceful, sensitive, and with a distinctively feminine aura—this subtle work of ceramic art has an air of quiet days spent in the garden or of spending an afternoon brightening up an interior space. Using a technique known as 灰釉 (kai-yu) Terai uses the natural ash of various hardwoods to achieve a subtle textured matte glow which is unique to each piece.

Yoko Terai (b...

Looking something akin to dragon skin with gilded beads glistening between the scales, this recent creation by young artist Hiramatsu Ryoma demonstrates his creative imagination and challenges the traditional boundaries of what defines a tea bowl...

Dashes of red, black and flashes of green decorated the scorred and scarred white glazed body of this magnificent Chawan by Yamada Kazu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kaku-yu Oribe Chawan.  The form is slightly belted, to allow the bowl to settle comfortably into the palm.  The very traditional silhouette however has been paddled and graffiti structures scratched into the surface.  Over this has been applied an overall white glaze, with black and red ladled out on top of th...

Viscuous charred feldspar clouded with stormy color adorns this superb cascading bowl by Kumano Kuroemon enclosed in the original highly decorated signed wooden box titled Matsuzaka Shino Glaze Chawan.  Like the potter himself, this bowl is large and stable, seemingly welded to the floor by its own weight and presence.  Despite that the kodai foot is small and delicate, adding creating tension between form and the space around it.  A sublime example of this popular artist’s work. 
Si...

An incredible bowl of spotted ink supplanted by a midnight blue rim by Kimura Moriyasu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled humbly Tenmoku-yu Chawan. It is 5 inches (12.5 cm) diameter, 3-1/2 inches (8.5 cm) tall with a perfectly formed foot and slightly in-curving bowl form perfect for winter tea. The colors are reminiscent of the Kujaku-yu developed by Matsuyama Gae, yet the application is very different.
Kimura Moriyasu (b...

A large Kataguchi bowl by Living National Treasure Shimaoka Tatsuzo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shio-yu Zogan Jomon Kataguchi and including the original exhibition invitation From New Years 1977 upon which this piece is featured.  The body has been imprinted with rope designs, a trademark of Tatsuzo’s works, and covered in salt glaze, resulti9ng in a burnished blue, giving light to the heavy form. 
Size, D 21.7 cm   H 13.8  cm 
Condition, Excellent 

A delicately appealing Chawan by Ito Motoihiko decorated with a single flower enclosed in the original signed wooden box...

A playful work with a dancing rim and lively colors like the yukata clad dancers at traditional Bon-Odori dance festivals of August by Tanimoto Kei enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iga Chawan.  In the glaze rising up are tendrils of smoke, like the wispy veils rising from burning Incense coils.  Inside is entirely coated in thin green ash.  A wonderful work. 
Size, D 13.2 cm H   cm 9.2 
Condition, Excellent 
Tanimoto Kei was born the son of Iga artist...