A small peach-colored pebble shaped vase by Yamaguchi Michie enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The opening undulates in an organic manner, accentuating the natural state of the form. It is 17 x 15 x 14 cm and is in excellent condition, directly from the artist.
Yamaguchi Michie was born in Ichinomiya, Aichi, between the Seto and Mino pottery centers in 1964...

A crusty black clay vase by Sakata Jinnai enclosed in the original signed wood box. Sculpted out into a crescent, it roughly forms a 24 cm (9-1/2 inch) diameter circle. Excellent condition.
Sakata Jinnai was born in Tokyo in 1943, and began as an apprentice under the legendary Kamoda Shoji in 1964, establishing his first kiln in 1966...

Five serene white concave disks set on unique bases by Kato Yoshiyasu enclosed in the original signed and compartmentalized wooden box titled Asobi Kodai Hai, Gokyaku Soroi (Playful Foot Five Sake Cup Set). Each cup is roughly 8 cm (3-1/4 inches) diameter, and all are in excellent condition, from the artist this year. This set was assembled by the artist specifically for our gallery, and is the only boxed set like it in the world...

A wondeful sculpted covered box in pale earth-tones scribbled with natural motifs by Suzuki Goro enclosed in the original wooden box titled Narumi Oribe Futamono. The capricious brush has worked over the various colors creating crosscurrents among the various themes which play off of each other. The jaunty form is very much a product of this vivacious artist, whose lust for life is apparent in all he creates...

Here is a rare work reflecting the shape and character of this famous artist but in Bizen clay, Shigaraki yes, Iga yes, Shino and Kohiki yes, Bizen vase first time for me. A divine vase by Tsujimura Shiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Bizen Hanaire. The shape is organic, with warm, rich coloration. A exemplary piece for exploring and appreciating the various kiln effects of Bizen clay and ash firing...

Rich and Charred, the Ochre glaze has a texture which delights the bearer on this tea bowl by Hori Ichiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kiseto Chawan. Unlike the more monotonous works typical of Ki-seto, this has been darkened by ash and fire, testament to the storms in the kiln, and reminiscent of that rugged strip from which Mino-ware is born sandwiched between the violent coast and volcanic interior of central Japan...

An ash encrusted vase by Kanzaki Shio enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Hanaire. Perfect for the tea room, it exudes that sense of quietude and degradation (Wabisabi) central to that aesthetic. It is 27 cm (10-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Kanzaki Shiho (1942-2018) preferred firing his kiln for ten days, resulting in the rich textures and heavy ash deposits apparent on his work...

Here another igneous form by Tsujimura Shiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iga Mentori Hanaire . Like the previous Shizen-yu work, this shows a state of nature, not a state of intent, as if the piece came to be. It is this sense of raw elementalism which puts Japanese pottery apart, and gives it its unique place of reverence in world ceramics...

Red highlights the orange and white on this playful form vase by Kato Yasukage enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shino Hanaire and signed by the 14th Generation Yasukage followed by his seal. The pin-holed glaze burnt and licked crimson by the flames. The way the color fades into the white feldspar one can almost imagine the smoke rising off of the molten form as it cooled in the kiln...

Broken glass pieces are joined back together on this amazing work by rising star Nishinaka Yukito enclosed in the original signed wooden boxes. This is an excellent example for his famed "Kintsugi" series.
Size, D 7.2 cm H 9.5 cm
Condition, Excellent
Born in Wakayama prefecture in 1964, Yukito graduated from Hoshi University of Pharmacy in Tokyo in 1988, and then three years studied Sculpture and Glass at California College of the Art. Establishing his own studio in 1998...

A spectacular Vessel covered n a torrent of color by Kishimoto Kennin enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iga Shiho Mimitsuki Hanaire(Four Sides Iga Vase with Ears).Here is a piece with attitude! A proud Iga vase with two “ears” like elbows on its hips...

A faceted bowl by modern master Ajiki Hiro,exhibiting the superb sense of design to be expected of this illustrious lineage enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shio-yu Wan and decorated with a sketch of a recluse staring out from his thatched hermitage. The slat glaze crawls on the surface as if it is alive, and it is alive with brilliant colors...

A spectacular faceted deep chawan in dual-color by Nishihata Daibi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Tamba Kakewake Chawan...

An excellent companion to the Hagi Chawan also by this artist, here is a precipitous mountain form covered mostly in drifts of white and thin veneer of glaze over its gritty clay surface.  The form is that of the mountainous spires of Yabake, on the Island of Kyushu south of Hagi.  The Vase comes with Exhibition panflet with very similar vases like this one.
Size, D 12.4 cm ( 4.9 inches)  H 28.8  cm ( 11.3 inches) 
Condition, Excellent 
Saka Koraizaemon XII was born in T...

A beautifully organic pouring vessel as if made of silvered leaves or barnacles by Shingu Sayaka enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Gakuyo Mizutsugi. It is 13.5 x 21 x 18.5 cm (5-1/2 x 8-1/4 x 7-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition, directly from the artist. Shingu Sayaka was born in Osaka, the industrial and commercial heartland of central Japan, in 1979. She graduated the Osaka University of Arts in 2001, before being selected as an artist in residence at the The Shigara...

A beautiful hand painted vase with a bamboo motif and a wagasa umbrella by Ikeda Shogo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Tanegashima Kohiki Henko. A thinly applied white slip covers the body and patches of fawn colored spots dot the surface. Bursting with life from the bottom, a bamboo spreads its leaves revealing a bright jewel under the rain. Kohiki ware is based on Yi Dynasty Korean Punch'ng ware preferred by the warriors in the Momoyama and early Edo period.
Size, D...

A playful work by rising star Fukami Fuminori enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Narumi Manga Oribe Chuki.
Size, D 21.4 cm H 16.7 cm (including the handle)
Condition, Excellent
Fukami Fuminori is a potter and an illustrator, and a rising star. Born in Seto in 1980, he graduated the Seto Industrial Ceramic Facility in 2000, then apprenticed under Kishimoto Kennin for four years, moving out on his own in 2005. Since he has received much acclaim for his ...

A superbly crafted and balanced trumpeting form by legendary tea bowl creator Sugimoto Sadamitsu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Ido Chawan. The bowl reflects the aesthetics of those imported Korean wares preferred by Sen-no-Rikyu in the Momoyama era. It has a bold, strong foot which rests perfectly on the table, both grounding the bowl and yet allowing it a sense of flight, as if the moment will soon be gone (and it will indeed!).
Size, D 14.6 cm H 9.1 cm
...

A earth-textured smoky black vase by Sato Kazuhiko enclosed in a superb signed wooden boxwith mori-buta (domed-lid) titled Kokuto Tsubo. It is 34.5 cm (13-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition. One of my personal favorites, Sato Kazuhiko was born in Kanagawa prefecture in 1947. He graduated the Tokyo University of Art Ceramic department advanced studies in 1972. Trained under Living National Treasures Tamura Koichi and Fujimoto Yoshimichi, his graduation work was awarded a prize. He he...

Large Leafed Vines are silhouetted against age darkened silver on this striking covered basin by Banura Shiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box. A segment of vine serves as a handle on the lid and it appears to float above the table on three ribbon feet. It is 25 cm (10 inches) diameter, 15 cm (6 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Banura Shiro (1941-2001) was born the fourth son of influential Lacquer Artist Banura Shogo. His sensitivity to textures may stem from that exa...

The colors seen in this ceramic piece are not often encountered in the world of Japanese tea-ware pottery—a field dominated mainly by styles such as Raku, Hagi, and other traditions with relatively conservative and predictable color schemes. The aquamarine blue is rather striking, reminiscent of coral encountered in the pristine waters of tropical and remote destinations. What really makes this extraordinary however, is that this piece relies mainly on kiln conditions and a natural ash glaze t...

This rare little gem is made by Morihiro Hosokawa (b. 1938) who served as the prime minister of Japan from 1993 to 1994.

He is also the head of the Kumamoto-Hosokawa clan, one of the noble families of Japan.
The clan was descended from the Seiwa Genji, a branch of the Minamoto clan, and ultimately from Emperor Seiwa (850 – 881) himself.
Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616), founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, also claimed descent from this lineage.

Morihiro Hosokawa s...

A spectacular pottery sculpture of the Okoze (Scorpion Fish) by Kimura Gyokushu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Bizen Okoze. It is 27 x 18.5 x 9 cm (11 x 7-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Kimra Gyokushu was born the eldest son of the 16th generation Kimura Munetoku in 1953. He graduated from Nagoya University of Arts in 1976, then went on to be awarded the Okayama Mayor's Award at the Okayama Prefectural Exhibition that same year. In 1978 he...

A dramatic Shino Mizusashi covered in flowing glaze by Sakai Kobu enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 20 cm tall, 19cm diameter and in excellent condition.
“I follow no teacher. I take no disciples. Independent, I don't get along well with public exhibitions”. Kobu Sakai from Toki City, one of Japan’s ceramic heartlands, has mastered Shino through self-study. He succeeded a kiln mass producing generic pottery, but decided he wanted to make his own works. “I walked...

Two platinum spikes erupt from the black glazed surface of this Kurinuki vase hollowed out from a black of black clay by Masatomo Toi, the first Kurinuki vase he has created (we think he is on to something). It is 21 cm tall, 25 x 23 cm (10 x 9 inches including the spikes. It comes with a signed wooden placard, directly from the artist.
Masatomo Toi was born in Aichi Prefecture in 1992, and graduated the Design course at the Tajimi Ceramics Research Facility in 2019. Since he has been d...

Mountain tea bowls (yama-jawan) are commonly excavated from the hillsides of Japan and many date to the 12th century or earlier. They tend to be crude in construction but with a fascinating ruggedness that allows then to endure, often much better than contemporary ceramics, despite being buried in the earth for hundreds of years. Highly prized when found completely intact or with minor cracks, there is a sort of folklore and mystique that has built up around these objects. The pieces shown here ...

the silhouette of birds flit through the branches of the forest which rises up in white trunks on the verdant green of this flower receptacle by Yamaguchi Yoshihiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kasai Ju-in Mon Hanaike. The pebble textured surface is very unusual for Kutani ware, and bridges the glitzy world of porcelain and the more matte world of ceramics. The soft palette allows the vase to work in any decor, the abstract lines seeming to grow up randomly, without intent...

A beautiful example of the iconic Zogan inlayed clay work of Takeuchi Shingo enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The deep bowl swells in the midriff, closing at the rim to concentrate the aroma, with thin sides to allow the warmth to escape to the hands, a perfect bowl for winter tea. It is slightly elongated, 13 x 12 x 8.5 cm (5 x 4-3/4 x 3-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Takeuchi Shingo(b.1955) hails from Seto city, one of the oldest ceramic production centers in J...

Every facet is unique on this natural torn shape by Kishimoto Kennin enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iga Hanaike ‘Honoka’ or Fire Flower. It is much like a flower in clay, rising up from the bulb, the flowers placed into it the extension of the stalk. It is 32.5 cm (12-3/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Kishimoto Kennin has been working with clay since the 1950s, devouring styles along the way. Shino, Seto, Oribe, Iga and Celadon, all very different approa...

A refined set of Tokkuri and Sake-cup by Banura Shiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Shuki. Exquisite, the flask is more delicate than usual, with a long diaphanous spout and decidedly thin rim. This is made for a discerning drinker, entirely about quality not volume. The cup too is perfectly formed with a thin rim everted ever so slightly, a pleasure to drink from. This set is the perfect complement to a true kaiseki meal. The bottle is 12 cm (4-5/8 inches) tall, ...

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. Born in Niigata pr...

The mouth of this vessel by Kato Yasuhide is placed off center, dissonant to the linear decoration which causes a tension between the two. It comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Senmon Beni Hakusai Henko (Red and White Colored Odd Shaped Vessel with Line Decoration). It is 30 cm (12 inches) tall, 18.5 x 13.5 cm (7-1/4 x 5-1/2 inches) at the base and I excellent condition. Retaining the original Shifuu and Shiori.
Kato Yasuhide was born the eldest son of (to be) Livi...

Artistic and expressive Chawan, sculptural and with a multiple color glaze, made of Mino clay by Norio Ishii. It is in mint condition and comes with its originally signed and sealed wooden box and a profile of the artist.

Norio Ishii was born 1963 in Okayama city, Japan and he graduated from OKAYAMA ASAHI High school in 1982 and from Art department of KOCHI University in 1986. When he was a University student, he started pottery work, being absolutely charmed by SHINO ware and ORIBE...

Reminiscent of the Rolling Stones album cover, a wild sculpture by important contemporary sculptor Hayami Shiro. The bean shaped object is 15 cm (6 inches) diameter, 32 cm (12-1/2 inches) long and in excellent condition. It is signed on the base and appears to be dated 1999. Typical of this artist, it comes in a cardboard box
Hayami Shiro (b. 1927) was born in Kagawa Prefecture in 1927, and graduated the Tokushima Industrial University in 1949. His first exhibitions did not materialize...

Architectural forms or perhaps the abstracted leaves of a bamboo rise from the surface of this fluting pentagonal vase by Takenaka Ko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hakuji Chomon Gokaku Bin (White-glazed Carved-decoration Five-sided Vase). No clue in the name, the artist has left the interpretation up to the viewer. It is 27 cm tall, 16 cm diameter and in excellent condition.
Ko (born 1941) apprenticed under future Living National Treasure Kondo Yuzo before establishi...

Elegantly balanced on a slenderly proportioned foot, this piece by Bizen native Kondo Masahiko displays a surprising level of skill for a potter still in the process of making a name for himself. With swirling ash glaze and a dazzling ceramic landscape, this piece is perfect for tea practitioners and collectors alike.

Born in Okayama prefecture in 1971, Kondo fashions his Bizen pieces in a traditional wood-fired kiln in the township of Ushimado. Especially competent with...