An exquisite and desirable work with a swish of resist creating a white bamboo-leaf pattern on the rich red Kaki glaze and black of this plate by Living National Treasure Hamada Shoji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kaki-yu Nuki-e Zara. A classic Mashiko, with a strong sense of the utilitarian, a keynote of the Mingei movement which Shoji represented...

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 heavily encrusted glossy sake flask by Tanimoto Kei compliments a Guinomi displaying a rustic matte finish by his son Tanimoto Takeshi enclosed in the original signed wooden boxes titled Iga Tokkuri and Iga Guinomi respectively. Bīdoro glaze (a type of natural wood ash glaze formed by firing, named from vidro, the Portuguese word for glass) coalesces into a yellow crystal rivulet on one side of the Tokkuri, opposite is a shadow of gray ash...

A splendid antique cut glass cup selected and decorated by contemporary female lacquer artist Arai Etsuko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Glass Maki-e Hai, Yoake (Glass Sake Cup named Breaking Dawn). She said that when she first saw the glass in a street market, she instantly envisioned how the engraved patterns could be accentuated by colors and powdered precious metals. Here an interesting comparison of techniques is possible...

Earth tones and patterns of waves in black on this large vessel by Ogawa Machiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kuro Dai Hachi( black Large Basin ) and date to 2016. Perfect for flower arrangement with a flower frog. An incredible work from one of Japans most sought after figures.
Size, D 35.2 cm H 19.6 cm
Condition, Excellent
Ogawa Machiko was born in Sapporo on the Northern Island of Hokkaido in 1946...

The best sake related piece I have ever seen by Koinuma Michio enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled very simply Tokkuri. The draping curves and weep of color is superb, and sets this above all others. Michio has long been inspired by archaic forms, and this is reminiscent of the roughly 5000-year-old Jomon Venus (a National Treasure) unearthed in Chino, Nagano prefecture...

Gold glaze spills out of the parched earth clay of this large sake cup by Ogawa Machiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply “Hai”and date to 2020. The clay itself is smooth and thick, however the bowls seem to have been formed while the clay was half dry, creating a parched sensation which is especially poignant when thinking of imbibing in the libations of rice...

The inside of the cup is lined with smooth dark glaze which gleams gold along the rim, while the glistening white outside has been carved away, every divot and ridge a tactile pleasure. It comes enclosed in a wooden box titled Kanka (Quiet, as in: the silent elegance of a flower in bloom). This is a phrase coined by the Edo period Confucian scholar Dazai Shundai in his treatise on The Purple Grass Garden (Shishienko)...

Strikingly bold patterns revealed through curtains of copper green play across the surface of this dramatic work by Fukami Fuminori enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Narumi Manga Oribe Wari-kodai Chawan and date to 2021. It rests on a wari-kodai split foot, the dragon and tiger are two spiritual creatures in the Buddhism representing the spirit heaven and matter earth. The bowl was published on the Itoshino Tojiki(My beloved Pottery) magazine this month...

Fissured white is dribbled with blue and showing flashes of red in the cracks on this large, low Ofukei and Lacquer Guinomi, by Kodai Ujiie enclosed in the original signed wooden box. This is a handful, great tactile qualities and entrancing to look at. It is 8-8.5 cm diameter, 7 cm tall and in excellent condition, directly from his recent firing.
Kodai Ujiie was born in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture in 1990, and graduated advanced studies at the Tohoku University of Art and Design in 2015...

Two sake cups notched and torn from pure white porcelain by Kato Takahiro enclosed respectively in their original signed wooden boxes decorated with overlapping cubes titled Sake Cup. Each is roughly 6.5 cm (2-1/2 inches) tall, 5.5 cm (2-1/4 inches) square and both are in excellent condition, directly from the artist this year.
These are by the rising star Kato Hirotaka who was born in Tajimi, Gifu prefecture, home of Shino and Oribe in 1985...

Stunning, long sterling earrings with precise stamping and dangle drops by San Juan Pueblo silversmith Mike Bird Romero. Known for his technical mastery, his work combines tradition and innovation. These earrings have posts for pierced ears and measure 3" long and 5/8" at the widest point. They weigh 14 grams total and are in fine original condition. Signed as shown. He usually hallmarks with 2 birds but there was only room for one of his birds on these. Gorgeous statement earrings.

Molten ash wraps its fingers around the organic form of this spectacular Bizen Chawan by Oiwa Tomoyuki enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kuro Wan and date to 2020.
Size, D 12.1x14.2 cm H 10.1 cm
Condition, Excellent
Oiwa Tomoyuki is a rising force in Bizen pottery. Born in Kobe city, Hyogo prefecture in 1977. After graduating the Bizen ceramic center in 2004 apprenticeship under Kakurezaki Ryuichi for seven years, and moved to establish his own kiln...

A refined set of Tokkuri and Sake-cup by Banura Shiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Shuki...

Blue glaze fills in the embedded patterns in this Tokkuri by Living National Treasure Shimaoka Tatsuzo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Gosu Zogan Jomon Tokkuri. The vibrant blue is a bit of a departure for this artist whose work is often sedate, relying on the texture and patterns of the Jomon rope design over dependence on colorful glazes. It is 15 cm (6 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Shimaoka Tatsuzo (1919-2007) was born in Tokyo and enrolled in the Tokyo K...

Although I love Bizen pottery for myself, I rarely offer it on the website as the colors are so subtle and designs often so very Japanese. This Chawan by (certainly for her era) the rare female potter Konishi Toko II is a striking exception. It stands out in a room of Bizen as if ringing a bell. This bowl is slightly smaller than normal, with a feminine grace to be found in the gentle curves, 10.5 cm diameter, 8.5 cm (3-1/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition enclosed in the original sign...

The organic shapes of Kakurezaki Ryuichi have always been fascinating, less formed by the potters hands and more as if they dripped from the kiln roof, solidifying in the conflagration. This vase, covered in flying ash, is a perfect example of that, it even now appears to be withering in the heat. It comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Yohen Kaki or kiln altered vase and retains the original shifuku and shiori. The vessel is 17 x 21 x 23 cm (7 x 8 x 9 inches) and is in exc...

An incredible pieces by legendary Abe Anjin in the artists most sought after style of saishoku colors enclosed in their original signed wooden boxes titled Bizen Saishiki Tokkuri and Bizen Saishik Sake-nomi,dating to 2020.
We see the gamut of this artists career here, red, black and green reminiscent, Ash glaze, gold, blue, and raw clay. The bottle and the cup forms is dimpled to make it easy to grasp, even if imbibed. Being a maker of tea ware, it is this subtle attention to shape and...

An exquisite plate by legendary Okabe Mineo enclosed in a wooden box titled Benishino Hirabachi, annotated inside: Work of Mineo Sensei signed and sealed by Kuroda Totoan. There is something very intimate about this artist and his work, the glaze is thin, reealing the body of the work and you can feel the potters hands in the clay. It is 32.5 cm (13 inches) diameter and in excellent condition.
Okabe Mineo (1919-1990) was born the first son of important artist Kato Tokuro, however the...

A beautiful and elegant work by important female artist Tokumaru Kyoko comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hakuji Ryuhimon Chawan (White Dragon-skin) and dating to Reiwa 3 nen (2021).
Her spiky lances and unfurling fronds forming are fantastical. The artist begins with slabs of clay and then constructs them to create work rooted in existential explorations. In this regard, Tokumaru notes that her spatial expressions allow her to travel deep inside herself. Describing t...

Tarnished beaded silver is draped in gold over which runs a deep forest green on this apple shaped chawan by innovative artist Ichikawa Toru enclosed in the original signed wooden box. A thick gold tinged bead dangles from one side, and bubbly dark glaze pools within. It is 11.5 cm (4-1/2 inches9 diameter and in excellent condition. He really takes things to the extreme, challenging and yet incorporating something of the idea of Wabi into his outlandish works.
Ichikawa Toru was born i...

Silver ray-skin texture covers this fabulous Katakuchi sake pot by Ichikawa Toru enclosed in the original signed wooden box. OMG a chilled Daiginjo served with this would have to taste like a million bucks! Like a footed softball, it is 12 cm (4-3/4 inches) diameter, ever so slightly shorter although it appears to be taller than it is wide.
One of my favorite artists, the innovative Ichikawa Toru was born in Tokyo in 1973. In 2015 he established his current studio in Bizen after 4 years ...

Mixed stoneware clay, unique curved lines, movement, form and warm textures of nature are a clear influence of Izumita Yukiya works. It is an excellent example of this artist, comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Sekisoh (layers) .
Tokkuri and Guinomi available too.(On Reserved)
Size, D 38.6 cm H 27.2 cm
Condition, Excellent
Yukiya was born in 1966 in Rikuzentakata, Iwate Prefecture . In 1995 opened is own workshop. His list of exhibitions and awards i...

Gold drizzles down the rough textured sides of this steep Tsutsu-chawan tea bowl by Ichikawa Toru enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The gold shines brilliantly on the rough textured clay, alternating with patches of earthy orange and pale cream. It has the WOW! Factor in triplicate. Slightly oblong, it is roughly 11 cm (4-1/2 inches) diameter 9.5 cm (3-3/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Ichikawa Toru was born in Tokyo in 1973. In 2015 he established his current stud...

The most unique work I have ever seen from innovative artist Ito Motohiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Nunome Tsubaki-mon Kabin (Cloth Textured Vase with Camellia Design). Sensual sans eroticism, it is a frank and appreciative look at the beauty of the feminine form. This is from my personal collection, and I am torn with the idea of parting with it. The vase is 9 x 6-1/2 x 14-1/2 inches (23 x 16.5 x 37 cm) and is in excellent condition, retaining the original wrapping ...

A swollen sail shape in graduations of color by Miyashita Zenji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kaze no Deban (Cue the Wind, or Wind in the Sails, if you like). It is 20 x 21 x 28 cm (8x 8-1/2 x 11 inches) and in excellent condition. It retains the original Shifuku and Shiori.
Miyashita Zenji (1939-2012) was born into the family of potter Miyashita Zenju, and graduated the Kyoto Municipal University of Art under Kiyomizu Kyubei and Kusube Yaichi. Starting with the most ...

Born in Okayama in 1914, Rokuro Nakamura is one of the greatest Bizen potters of modern times. He studied and made his first pottery together with LNT Toyo Kaneshige establishing his own Rokuro kiln in 1961. He has numerous awards including the Order of the Rising Sun, Green Paulownia Medal and Okayama Nichinichi Award. Nowadays, his skillful works are highly-prized among the collectors around the world. Mostly known for his sake utensils, Rokuro Nakamura's teabowls are very rare representing...

Studio Pottery Arita Ware Globular Porcelain Vase with Natural Landscape made by Fujii Shumei (b. 1936)

Fujii Shumei is the prominent potter from Arita who has many awards including the Award from Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition and the Kyushu Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition as well as the Minister of Education Award.

Size
Width 19cm
Height 19cm

Condition
Good, no cracks, no chips
Supplied with original signed box

Here we have the maverick of Bizen showing off his skills again with a superb chawan in sandy white clay by Kakurezaki Ryuichi enclosed in the original wooden box and comes complete with a catalog from his show last year. The Kodai (foot) is very low, not much more than a flat spot on bottom, making it very comfortable to hold it, the coloring, the texture, the flame-licked , the playful rim and the weight! ...
* A white clay piece was choosing by the artist and published on the special e...

Impressive press moulded Kaki glaze bottle with Nukie decoration made by Hamada Shinsaku around 1990-1991.

Born in 1929 as second son of Hamada Shoji, Hamada Shinsaku continued the family tradition of the world recognized Mashiko pottery.
He worked and traveled closely with his father and took over the famous kiln in Mashiko in 1978. Shinsaku Hamada pottery is exhibited in numerous museums around the world.

Henko vase (oblong) is the Japanese term used to describe the...

A complete set of the twelve animals of the zodiac by Miyashita Zenji, each enclosed in the original signed wooden box retaining the original Shifuku and Shiori. Sizes vary from 8 up to 16 cm (3 to 6 inches) and all are in excellent condition.
Miyashita Zenji (1939-2012) was born into the family of potter Miyashita Zenju, and graduated the Kyoto Municipal University of Art under Kiyomizu Kyubei and Kusube Yaichi. Starting with the most difficult, he worked from Celadon, which relies on s...

A seminal work by Karatsu Legend Maruta Munehiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Karatsu Kuro Oribe Chawan and named inside Shigenari. (Furuta Shiginari later Oribe was famous tea Master). All is deeply coated in thick burnt ash with flashes of iron , cream and olive supplanting one side. It is a work which embodies the best of this highly sought artist.
Size, D 15.7 cm H 8.1 cm
Condition, Excellent
Munehiko was born the second son of the legendary artist Maru...

A perfect example that captures both of those two important artist mastery of celadon glazing and they innovative symmetry of flowing lines and fluted points.  The silhouette is ethereal, harkening back to the clean elegant lines of Song pottery and the pirouetting lines of Alphonse Mucha and Art-nouveau.  The glaze lays perfectly mirror like on the body, like a green ocean without a breath of wind. 
Size,(Chaire) D 8.6 cm   H 5.2  cm  ( SOLD )
Size,(Koro) D 9.9 cm   H 13...

An expressive form covered in thick emerald glaze by Yamaguchi Makoto enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Oribe Kaki and date to 2020. It has a very organic feel, both from the texture and the cutted sides with various thicknesses of green glass, like water running over a stone surface.
Size, D 37.4 cm H 25.2 cm
Condition, Excellent
A rising star in the pottery world, Yamaguchi Makoto was born in Seto, Aichi prefecture in 1978. In 2000 he was apprenticed to H...

Exhibited (in a gallery show) this Ko-Iga chawan was made by veteran potter, Kojima Kenji. This bowl is broad and deftly manipulated to create a rather nice form with the addition of a stamped device toward the bottom of the reverse of the piece. The face of the chawan has a nice build up of ash creating a blue-grey surface that then runs to ash tendrils embracing the sides and terminating at the rear in a variety of large drips. The rear is also decorated by three shell scar impressions from...

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.
Size, D 14.6 cm H 26.1 cm
Condition, Excellent