A very unusual large Tsubo covered in iridescent metallic glaze over beige windows with millet white florals enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Testsu Sabi-yu Zogan Kusabana-mon Tsubo (Metallic Rust Glaze Tsubo Inlayed with Floral Motif).  This is certainly one of the more unique works I have seen by this important Mashiko artist.  The iron seems to shimmer in the light, not holding just the reds of rust, but blue and green and black, depending upon the light and angle.    Mar...

Lavender clouds like rain threatening on a foggy landscape form on the surface of this spectacular large tea bowl by important artist Kaneta Masanao enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hagi Kurinuki Chawan. His white glazing has altered to soft lavender in the firing process, creating a feeling of opulence over the organic vessel...

Porcelain cups with blue-green glaze ideal for high-grade tea (gyokuro, sencha, oolong,) sake, or whiskey. White porcelain with a rich blue-green glaze Nakazato calls "peppermint." H. 2.875"(7.25cm) x Dia. 2.375"(6cm.) Hanako Nakazato is a 14th generation potter from Japan. The Nakazato family is a well-known pottery family in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture, with the 12th generation Nakazato Taroemon being designated a National Living Treasure for Karatsu ceramics...

Broad, rounded neriage chawan with Ao glaze over the suminagashi influenced pattern

Porcelain and glazes

5.6" X 4.35"

Functional, decorative and food safe

Vase "Kabin" with Bamboo Handle (can also be hung by hole in back) by contemporary ceramic artist, Sachiko Furuya. Height: 7.5". Sachiko Furuya hails from Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. There, she studied pottery with Yukio Matsuura, making primarily tea wares for practitioners of the Omotesenke School of Tea. She also attended the College of Arts at Nihon University (Tokyo,) Suidobara Fine Arts Academy (Tokyo,) and has a Studio Art degree from Clark College in Dubuque, Iowa...

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...

An artist whose bold creations work well in a Western setting, here is a seminal piece just in time for the season decorated with dark iron branches laden with silver blossoms by Miyake Yoji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Ginsai Sakura Mon Henko. Here the artist has set the oxidized silver flowers and dark tree silhouettes on a ground of rusty yellow, an intriguing combination. It is 57.5 x 13 x 30.5 cm (23 x 5 x 12 inches) and is in excellent condition...

An earing clings to the “mimi” on this fabulous ash glazed vessel by one of our favorite hidden treasures, Tamura Roppo, enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Koshu Iga Mimitsuki Hanaire. The traditional form is affixed with two “ears”, from one of which clings one tremulous drip of ash, seeming to slightly weigh down that side. Happenstance occurring at just the right place at just the right time during the firing process that it survived without falling or breaking off...

A red Sado Mumyoi-yaki Tokkuri (Shuchu) by Living National Treasure Ito Sekisui V enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 5 inches (13 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Ito Sekisui V (Yoichi) is the 14th generation of the family to follow in the pottery tradition. His father, Ito Sekisui IV, died when Yoichi was only 19. Upon completion of studies at Kyoto University in 1966, he returned to his hometown of Sado to succeed the lineage...

Broad, formal style teabowl with TOL, tree of life design under a saffron iron yellow glaze

Stoneware, slips and glazes

5.5" x 4"

Functional, decorative and food safe

An incredible organic shape by Isezaki Koichiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Kuro-Chawan. The tea bowl looks as if it were sculpted with the fire, perhaps poured molten out of the flames and solidified naturally into this form. About it clings a thick palet of ash, like lichen on a stone glistening under the melted frost...

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...

Old English style glazed yunomi (#2), teabowl with a repeat pattern of impressed medieval designs

Porcelain and glaze

4.25" X 4.25"

Functional, decorative and food safe

A masterpiece by Furutani Taketoshi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Shizen-yu Shinogi Tsubo. Shinogi is this method of cutting away portions of the surface, in this case in waving patterns. This both allows the natural ash glaze a foot hold as it blows through the kiln, and as it cools, allows the molten ash to flow and create striking patterns on the surface...

Oribe glazed small plate or wall bowl (it can be hung on the wall if desired) with a lustrous green glaze and plum flowers under a clear glaze

Stoneware, slips and glazes

10.25" X 2.8"

Functional, decorative and food safe

An eight sided Shino Yunomi Cup by Suzuki Osamu (Kura) enclosed in the original signed wooden box decorated with triangles in red. A striking work, it is 3 inches wide, the same height (7.5 cm) and is in excellent condition. Osamu was born in Gifu prefecture in 1934, and graduated the Tajimi Technical School ceramics division in 1953. That same year he was awarded at the 6th Dento Kogeiten Traditional Crafts Exhibition...

Living National Treasure Yoshimichi Fujimoto (1919-1992) Aka-e Tokkuri (sake bottle) with iconic floral design.

Light in weight, this work is a masterpiece in transition from pottery to porcelain. On a plump chamfered shape and a milky white background, the iconic flower patterns drawn with a relaxed brush stroke showing vivid colors.

After graduating from Tokyo Fine Arts School, Yoshimichi Fujimoto studied under Hajime Kato, and then learned Kutani ware porcelain while se...

Ash glaze splatters seemingly haphazard across this superbly crafted tea bowl by Kishimoto Kennin enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iga Chawan. The glaze has pummeled the side and run in just enough to create a large green pool in the center, thick green running in a stream to connect it to the rim...

This piece was fired for 10 days in the "anagama" old style kiln, with red pine fire woods. It's very beautiful with natural glaze by ashes and flame. Size; 6.0cm(D)/4.5cm(H) Accessary; wooden box signed by artist

Wow! Is what comes to mind the first time you see this daring silver glazed organic Kake Hana-ire by Okumura Hiromi. The clay folds about onto itself, forming a seed-like pod, with an opening in the top and wings extending out both sides. A wire loop is affixed to the back for wall hanging. A signed and stamped wooden plackard by the artist accompanies the piece. It is 11 x 14 x 5 inches (28 x 36 x 13 cm) and is in fine condition.
Okumura was born in Kyoto in 1953, and was thus from...

Hanging Vase, Kakehanaire, by Sachiko Furuya; Honolulu, HI. H. 4.5"(11.5cm) x Dia. 2.75"(7cm.) The torn opening hole gives the vase a very organic appearance. Black glaze. Braided raffia hanging string. Sachiko Furuya hails from Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. There, she studied pottery with Yukio Matsuura, making primarily tea wares for practitioners of the Omotesenke School of Tea. She also attended the College of Arts at Nihon University (Tokyo,) Suidobara Fine Arts Academy (Tokyo,) and has a St...

Ash simply blankets this vessel by Koyama Kiyoko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Shizen-yu Tetsuki Hanaire. It is 29 cm (just less than 12 inches) tall, roughly 5 inches diameter and in excellent condition.
Koyama Kiyoko was born in Sasebo, Nagasaki in 1936. Following the second world war the family moved to Shiga prefecture, eventually settling in the pottery village of Shigaraki. She took a job as a ceramic painter's assistant at a young age. In 1954 she b...

A set of five brightly colored tea cups by Kitagawa Kazuki enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kasaneirome Chawan (Tea Bowl of Layered Colors). Each is 8 cm (3-1/2 inches) diameter, 6 cm (2-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition, directly from the artist this Spring. The artist creates each of these cups individually by pouring liquified porcelain into a mold, swirling it around, allowing it to dry slightly, then pouring it out and adding another layer of differing color. A...

Guinomi, Sake Cup, White Glaze with Iron Rim and Interior/Exterior Drips. John Miller; Portland, OR. H. 1.75" (4.5cm) x Dia. 2.625" (6.75cm.) Vol. 2.75oz (80cc.) John Salgir Miller was born in Elmira, NY, in 1974 and earned his BFA in ceramics and illiustration from the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston. He has been inspired the mingei aesthetic and by the work of Shoji Hamada since he began studying ceramics in high school. While at Mass Art studying under Ben Ryterband (who spent time stu...

A wonderful mentori incense case by Wakao Kei enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seij Kogo. A darkly crackled rich blue-gray with a large spot of lavender color Yohen kiln effects. A kogo is a small box used to contain incense.
Size, D 11.4 cm H 11.6 cm
Condition, Excellent
Wakao Kei was born in Gifu in 1967 ,the first son of the legendary artist Wakao Toshisada . He first exhibited at the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition in 1997, and was awarded the rising st...

Pale jade spots dot the incised surface of this unusual vase by Nagae Shigekazu enclosed in the original signed wooden box retaining the Shiori and Shifuku. The vase, if not for its distant, moon-like quality, has a very pop-art-presence, blending both the austerity of Japanese traditional aesthetics with contemporary art. Fun and moving; a haunting pleasure. It is 14 inches (35.5 cm) tall, 5 inches (13 cm) square at the base, 7 inches (19 cm) wide at the rim and in excellent condition.
...

Matcha Chawan, Tea Bowl, by Sachiko Furya; Honolulu, HI. Ido-gata (Well-Shaped,) Shino and Bamboo Ash Glazes. H. 3.375"(9.5cm) x Dia. 5.5"(14cm.) Sachiko Furuya hails from Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. There, she studied pottery with Yukio Matsuura, making primarily tea wares for practitioners of the Omotesenke School of Tea. She also attended the College of Arts at Nihon University (Tokyo,) Suidobara Fine Arts Academy (Tokyo,) and has a Studio Art degree from Clark College in Dubuque, Iowa. S...

An enigmatic form by Tanoue Shinya like an something awash on alien shore opening to reveal organic blue, enclosed in the original signed wooden box and date to 2018. An excellent example of this artist and his Shell series.
Size, D 38.1 cm H 14.4 cm
Condition, Excellent
Tanoue Shinya was born in Kyoto, the cultural heartland of Japan in 1976, He garnered a BA from Doshisha University in Theology, and after two years in a textile company, an Associate in Fine Arts f...

Vase (J. hanaire) by Sachiko Furuya. Bamboo Ash Glaze, Rope Pattern on side inspired by kakehanaire (hanging vases.) H.6.375"(16.25cm) X Dia.(4.25"(10.75cm). Sachiko Furuya hails from Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. There, she studied pottery with Yukio Matsuura, making primarily tea wares for practitioners of the Omotesenke School of Tea. She also attended the College of Arts at Nihon University (Tokyo,) Suidobara Fine Arts Academy (Tokyo,) and has a Studio Art degree from Clark College in Dubu...

A charred Ash Glazed Mizusashi water container by Kumano Kurouemon enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Glaze is crisp but grows quite liquid as it drips down the molten form. On the side in bold strokes is written "Sonomamani", or "Just as it is".
A ceramic madman, oil painter and recluse, Kuroemon is as eccentric as his pottery predicts. Born in Fukui prefecture in 1955 Kuroemon was a painter from youth, he began his studies under Fujita Jurouemon in 1976, and moved to study al...

Kakehanaire (Hanging Flower Vase,) by George Gledhill; Payett, ID. Gas-fired, ash glaze, with copper ring attached in back for hanging on a wall or post. H>5.375"(13.75cm) x W.3"(7.5cm.) There have been several influences to George Gledhill’s ceramic work. Buddhism has been a guiding force in life for many years, and George even visits local prisons to teach the Dharma to inmates. Through pottery and Buddhism, he was exposed to Tea practitioners who complimented his work and encouraged him to ...

Today I would like to introduce another talented potter living outside of the traditional potting centers. This is a beautiful Nezumi Shino (Gray Shino) chawan by Sagae Eimei, and comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box. This has an immediacy which speaks of our era, yet is based firmly in the pottery of the Momoyama period. It is 12.5 cm (5 inches) diameter, 9.5 cm (3 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Sagae Eimei was born in Yamagata prefecture in 1949. Upon graduatio...

A powerful Chossen-Karatsu mimitsuki hanaire flower vase by Nakagawa Jinembo (Jinenbo b. 1953) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Licks of blue fire rim the blast of pale white covering the upper reaches of the dark earth. The shape is hammered and beaten by the flame, shinshoku wear from the extreme heat beginning to degrade the lip. It is 8-1/2 inches (22 cm) tall, 5-1/2 inches (14 cm) diameter and in excellent condition. A rare opportunity to acquire a masterpiece by this highly ...

Enigmatic figures rise from concave discs on the front of this massive Tenmoku Vase by modern sculptural artist Ohi Toshiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The gourd shaped form is covered in a mottled red Kaki-yu spotted with flashes of black. The smooth evenly graduated sides contrast with the sharp rough edge of the opening, both surprising and pleasing. Signed clearly on the base, the vase is 14 inches (36 cm) tall, 9-1/2 inches (24 cm) diameter and in perfect condition. Tosh...

Lush wasp jar with my Ao glaze over hakeme slip with stinger style lid knob

Stoneware, slip and glazes

8.8" X 6.2"

Functional, decorative and food safe

Wood-fired tea bowl, Matcha Chawan, by George Gledhill, Payette, ID. H.3"(7.5cm) x Dia.4.25"(10.75cm). Foot ring dia.2"(5cm). There have been several influences to George Gledhill’s ceramic work. Buddhism has been a guiding force in life for many years, and George even visits local prisons to teach the Dharma to inmates. Through pottery and Buddhism, he was exposed to Tea practitioners who complimented his work and encouraged him to produce Tea wares. Their introduction to the world of Tea Ce...