Very rare example of museum-quality Shigaragki-ware by Tsujimura Shiro. It was originally given as a gift from the artist to a secret, wealthy benefactor upon the Grand Opening of the famed Miho Museum near Kyoto, Japan, in 1997.

Some time later we bought it from this famous benefactor, and since then it is in our collection.

This is a very rare and highly collectible and massive item, and it is entirely authentic with an absolutely perfect provenance...

Ash is blasted around the stately form of this tall Tsutsu-gata vase by legendary potter Tsujimura Shiro enclosed in the original wooden box titled Iga Mimitsuki Hanaike and signed by the artist in the lower left corner. It is as if his exuberance got the better of him, the characters beginning so stark and bold, running into a jumble of strokes as he culminates with the character life (ike), like the final crescendo in this opera of clay, fire and joy...

A dark charred Chosen Karatsu kamahen Mimitsuku Mizusashi by Nishioka Koju (b. 1918) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. All is deeply coated in thick burnt ash. Red shows through rivulets of dark olive burnt to the side of the body. The raw clay is visible through the thick ash drips on one side. It has a custom black lacquered wooden lid and is in fine condition but for the handle on the lid, which was broken and repaired...

Small Shigaraki kake-ire hanging vase made by Uda Rakuzan. The small uzukumaru like form, intentionally deformed with the face covered in ash and charcoal effects and an incised decoration around the should of the pot. the rear has hi-iro effects and a metal hanger.

This vase is in fine condition but does not have a box. The vase measures 4.5" x 4.8".

A large and rare work by Sueoka Nobuhiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is decorated with huge magnolia flowers (in Japanese mokuren,the tree lotus) growing up one side, and hanging down the other like the traditional opposing dragons. The piece is 16 inches (40 cm) tall and in excellent condition
Nobuhiko was born in Fukuoka on Japans Main Sothern Island in 1948, and apprenticed under future Living National Treasure Fujimoto Yoshimichi in 1973...

Who says the work of a woman potter is feminine? This is a powerful Iga work by Watanabe Aiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box. There is nothing sedate about this work, charred and dripping with glassy green glaze, freckled with flying ash; the heavy lug handles jutting from the side slightly off kilter. The vessel is 7 inches (17 cm) tall, roughly the same diameter and in excellent condition...

An intriguing form by Takeuchi Shingo titled Zogan Hento (An Inlaid Strange Vase) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It measures 18 x 19 x 24.5 cm and is in fine condition, dating circa 2002.
Takeuchi Shingo(b.1955) hails from Seto city, one of the oldest ceramic production centers in Japan. He studied at the Aichi Prefectural Ceramics Research Facility until 1979, then under the great Kato Shuntei II before establishing his own kiln in 1982...

Graceful and serene squared form bottle/vase by master Hagi potter, Tahara Tobei (1925-1991). This pot was first thrown round and paddled skillfully into a squared form, iron slipped and then glazed in a Hagi ash glaze to create this other worldly keshiki landscape. The surface ranges from a rich chocolate brown to areas of a muted lavender and grey with pink and creams tones spotted about...

Tall jug or vase form with medieval green glaze over rozome style design of spirali e tagli

Stoneware, slips and glazes

14" X 5.25"

The bodacious designs dominating the bold forms of Miyake Yojis work have drawn him many fans, one of which is this gallery owner, and this is a fine example enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The vase is 12 x 6 x 9 inches tall (30 x 15 x 23 cm). Born in Shimane in 1950, He studied from 1974 under Ito Kosho, establishing himself as an independent artist three years later in Mashiko...

At nearly a foot tall and in perpetual motion, this modern spiral vase was made by the late kato Yasukage XIV circa 2008. Tall and imposing the spiraled surface is glazed in a rich Shino glaze that shows off a wide array of textures and color variations from pure white, blushed pink hues and rich iron red circling the base of the pot. The textured flutes draw one in and around the pot and create a vivid canvas for this creative master gone way to early...

Hanging Vase (J.Kakehanaire) by Sachiko Furuya. Bamboo ASh Glaze. H.6.75"(17cm) X Dia.4"(10.25cm). 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...

Kogo, Lidded Incense Container, in shape of apple. Saggar-fired with grass wrapped around kogo to create "hidasuki" effect. H.1.5"(4cm) x Dia2.25"(5.75cm) There have been several influences to George Gledhill’s ceramic work...

An Exhibited pottery box by Watanabe kunio enclosed in the original wooden box titled Iro-e Kin/Gin-Sai KiKaMon ToBako. This piece was featured on the exhibition invitation at the Marue Gallery (included). It measures 9 inches (23 cm) across, 2 inches (5 cm) tall and is in excellent condition.
The first time I saw this artists work I was blown away by the precision, skill and beauty inherent. Kunio was born in Yamanashi Prefecture in 1967, graduating the top Art school in Japan, The Toky...

Elegant Hagi chawan with white to faint lavender ash glaze over slip and daido clay body. Classic turned foot, kodai with cut notch and impressed seal.

Though marked, I have been unable to read the seal and identify the potter. What I can say is this chawan is definitely post-war, circa 1960 -1970 and very much resembles the works of Sakakura Shinbei XII and Saka Koraizaemon XII from that time period.

This bowl measures 5" X 3.25" and is in great condition. No Box.

A large Oshimon Kaki Vase by Ota Itaru enclosed in the original signed wooden box exhibited at the 9th Nihon Togei Ten National Exhibition. The entire surface is impressed with inverse pyramids, and patterned with dark and light triangles. An incredibly exacting design perfectly executed. The vase measures 16 inches (40 cm) tall, 11 inches (28 cm) diameter and is in fine condition. It comes with the original placard from the exhibition, as well as a copy of the exhibition catalog, and a clip...

Robust Shino vase of squared form with areas of poured underglaze iron slip creating areas of Aka-Shino (iron red) and Muji-Shino (white)across the piece. This vase was made by the well respected and exhibited Kato Shuntei (1927-1995) who was a true Mino traditional potter.

8.35" X 3.5" X 3.5"

Original wood signed box included

Very nice set of small kaiseki or sushi plates from the Bishu-gama kiln made by Bizen potter Yamamoto Soshu (Munehide).

Each small plate is in perfect condition, measures 3.75" x .75" and is cleared marked on the reverse and has a bota-mochi style decoration on the face of each piece. No box.