A sculpture in black glaze by Yoshitake Hiroshi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Sakuhin B and dating circa 1980. Very much in the vein of this important avant-garde organization, it has a great deal of presence compacted into a small space. A nearly identical work is published in the book: Sodeisha, 35th Anniversary (Sodeisha, Sanjugoshunen Kinenhan, 1983) which is titled Suikan (Inebriated). Interestingly, Suikan is also a homonym for water pipes...

A striking wide dish in crystal clear colors by celebrated female artist Tokuda Yasokichi IV enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Sekirei Akari (Red Light). Th inclusion of red is quite unusual for this artist. The dish is 27.5 cm (11 inches) diameter, 4.5 cm (just less than 2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Tokuda Junko (Yasokichi IV) was born the first child of future Living National Treasure Tokuda Masahiko in 1961...

A white porcelain vessel by Sakurai Yasuko permeated with holes in a style typical of her work. It is 16 cm diameter, 8 cm tall and in excellent condition enclosed in a paper box. According to the Met: Sakurai Yasuko first studied ceramics in Kyoto, before becoming an artist in residence in Shigaraki, and then in Limoges, France. She makes perforated, unglazed, white porcelain forms that are studies in light and shadow...

As if it never cooled, this bottle by Kato Takahiro glows with the fire which forged it a rich orange with tendrils of flame whisping up the body, a superb work enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Aka-shino Tsubo enclosed in a lacquered Niju-bako double wood storage case...

Kohiki is simple elegance, one of the styles most befitting the humble confines of the tea room, and its ghostly white glows softly like the moon in the shadows. This sublime example by Tsujimura Shiro once again shows his mastery of the craft and expresses an inner confidence and yet unassuming nature of the artist himself, one who has mastered the tenets of the Way of Tea. It comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kohiki Chawan...

Golden Camellia blossom all bout theoutside of this lovely wan-gata Chawan by the famous female artist Ono Hakuko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kinrande Chawan.  The pattern is created by applying gold foil to the surface before firing.  Here she has cut the gold foil into patterns of camellia blossoms, and applied them over red glaze to great effect...

An exquisite platter on two legs by Aoyama Tetsuro enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The rush of white and and soft blue across the surface is reminiscent of the “Ma”, or blank space of an ink waterfall painting. It measures 41 x 40.5 x 10 cm (16 x 16 x 4 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Aoyama Tetsuro was born in Gifu, home of the Mino potteries, in 1946. He apprenticed under Kato Jin in 1961, moving out on his own in 1973...

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...

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...

A seminal work by Isezaki Koichiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hikidashi Kuro. Expanding upon the hand of his teacher, Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun , the organic form is all Koichiro. This is everything we could hope for in Hikidashi Kuro Chawan. Texture, form, color, this one has it all!
Size, D 14.3 cm H 9.4 cm
Condition, Excellent
Isezaki Koichiro was born the son of living national treasure Isezaki Jun...

As if dragged from the ocean floor, the calcified form of this star shaped shell chawan with beautiful white color capturing the sand of the sea from which it came. A superlative bowl by Koike Shoko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shiro-Wan.
Size, D 14.6 cm H 9.8 cm
Condition, Excellent
Born in 1943, Shoko graduated Japan’s top art school (the Tokyo University of Art) in 1969...

Described on the wood box as a tokkuri (sake flask) with kin-kousai (metallic Iris) glaze, the size and form would allow this piece to function just as well as a small flower vase...

For Celadon aficionado Kato Tsubusa is like the jewel in the crown, a centerpiece so unusual and outstanding, and this deep Tea Bowl is a particularly rare gem, enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Mentori Chawan.  The sides have been slabbed away, the angular form then dipped in thick transparent green which has fissured in the heat, and beaded like a jade necklace around the base.  Such an unusual combination of affects it is sure to be a star in any collection of contemporary p...

The creator of this exceptional tea bowl is Koto Kenshi, a native of the town of Hagi in Yamaguchi prefecture who has been producing many fine works since opening his studio in 1970...

Done in a style reminiscent of Japanese Mingei art, this striking yet functional folk-craft piece is the creation of Chikuunsai Tanabe III. Made entirely of traditional materials, the red lacquer is quite eye-catching and is sure to liven up any setting.

As the name suggests, Chikuunsai (1940-2014) is from a line of woodworkers—“Chiku” in this case meaning bamboo. This family of generational artists currently stretches to the 4th generation—the 4th being known for his large...

This large and imposing Oribe mizusashi was made by long time Mino potter, Hayashi Shotaro. Thrown out of a fine Mino clay, much of the surface was cut away to create a surface of wonderful flat planes and rough areas of faceted clay which was then glaze in Hayashi's rich Oribe glaze. The surface shows a wonderful array of tonal variations with areas of deep greens and thinner areas showing almost to the buff of the clay. The lid is thrown and also cut away to create a well matched surface and ...

There is a lot of drama and tension between the various facets of this ash encrusted Shigaraki outcrop by Furutani Kazuya enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Mentori Hanaire. (Faceted Vase). Every angle offers a unique view, texture, glazing, form, a vase which you can never grow tired of. I see it with an angular branch of plum blossoms, or perhaps Nandina loaded with red berries. It is 33 cm (13 inches) tall and in excellent condition, directly from the artist.
...

An exquisite chawan tea bowl by Uraguchi Masayuki enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seiji Hyosai Chawan (Shattered Ice Celadon Tea Bowl). It is 13 cm (5 inches) diameter, 8.5 cm (3-1/2 inches) tall and in perfect condition.
Uraguchi Masayuki (b. 1964) discovered pottery while attending the Tokyo National University of Fine Art and Music and his world turned when he was introduced to a Song Dynasty Seiji Vase" at the Tokyo National Museum designated a National Treasure dur...

Layers of irregular bands of colored clay, peach-colored top lid to a lavender and green like the climbing mountains surrounding Kyoto rise up the sides of this majestic work by Miyashita Zenji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Sai-dei Koro Gen-fu Kaze ( Mad Colors Phantasmic Wind Incense Burner and date to 1993. It is an excellent example of this artist.
Size, D 8.8 cm H 13.6 x 19.8 cm (including the lid)
Condition: Excellent
Miyashita Zenji (1939-2012) w...

A flagrant barrage of color gets in your face with this futuristic vessel by Yanagihara Mutsuo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Saimon Kabin (Colored Vase). Over the crackled sunshine yellow gleams platinum on lightning strikes of red, completely juxtaposed to the cool blue of the interior. Very much an iconic work by this eclectic artist. It is 17.5 cm (7 inches) diameter, 15 cm (6 inches) tall and in perfect condition.
Yanigahara Mutsuo (b.1934) was raised in Seto, an...

Sadamitsu Sugimoto, a great master of the ceramic art scene in Japan, was led by Tachibana Daiki the great Zen teacher and has been producing a lot of masterpieces through over 40 years .He has been studying the world of “wabi, sabi, and yugen” as his life's theme. This piece was made as "manaitasara" to be used at Japanese cuisine or tea ceremony. His shigaraki(stoneware) pieces are made by archaic way in old style kiln "anagama" burning red pine wood, so those ashes are turned to natura...

A vibrant double vase covered in signature naïve designs by Yamashita Moe enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Morinoyoru (Night in the forest). It is 12 x 24.5 x 27 cm (5 x 10 x 11 inches) and is in excellent condition. Her work is filled with joie de vie, and one cannot escape a smile when viewing it. Even the box is painted with a bright green silhouette of the vase, titled and signed in pink!
Yamashita Moe graduated the Kyoto Zokei University of Art in 2004. Her work h...

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 ...

A unique sake cups set by some of Japans most sought artists representing pottery traditions from throughout the country. Yamada Kazu(Oribe),Hori Ichiro(Shino),Kaneta Masanao(Hagi),Tsujimura Shiro (Shigaraki) and Harada Shuroku (Bizen). Each piece embodies the innovative qualities of the various artists themselves, shapes, textures, kiln effects, glazes…a new experience for every night of the week. Each cup enclosed in their original signed wooden boxes with a lacquered Niju-bako double wood s...

A powerful sake bottle in dark wet clay by Abe Anjin enclosed in the original signed double-wooden box titled Bizen Tokkuri. Once again Abe Anjin has proven his mastery of tradition with this superb rendition. Impurities in the clay mark the surface with pale ash dusts round the shoulders and rivulets of glaze running like lava down the side. In the lower raw clay hints of yellow flash where flame has licked the body.
Size, D 9.2 cm H 14.8 cm
Condition, Excellent
Born ...

Scraped cut and beat out of form with looping ribbons of clay for handles, here is a mizusashi which certainly does not let down; everything we have come to expect from this popular Japanese artist enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is heavily potted, creating a bold, lively experience. The piece is 8 inches (21 cm) tall, 7 inches (18 cm) diameter and in perfect condition.
This artist has been working with clay since the 1950s, devouring styles along the way. Seto, Oribe, I...

A black cloak is draped from the shoulders of this mysterious character lurking in the shadows of the tea room by legendary potter Hori Ichiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seto-guro Chawan. Matte over much of the surface, someplaces the blackness shines like midnight through the fog.
Size, D 12.7 cm H 10.2 cm
Condition, Excellent
Hori Ichiro (b. 1952) graduated the Tajimi School of Industrial Design and apprenticed under Kato Kozo. He has been awarde...

An iconic Shigaraki vase by Otani Shiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Henko which epitomizes the artists philosophy of relying on the purity of clay, form, and natural colors born from the conflagration over overt decorative techniques. Here dark colors scorch the base where it was buried in the embers, while pale thin ash dusts the austere terracotta clay blasted over the shoulders with a rich coat of ocher ash. It is 22 cm (9 inches) diameter, 25.5 cm (10 inches)...

Ash Glazed Flower Vessel by Mihara Ken enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hai-yu Kaki (Ash Glazed Flower Vessel).  The entire work is soft and matte, like an old charcoal sketch, exuding a very powerful “Wa” sense of harmony.  Ken is well known for this pastel color concept of un-presupposing grays, and this piece certainly lives up to our expectations for him.
Size, D 15.5 cm ( 6 inches)  H 20.5  cm ( 10 inches) 
Condition, Excellent 
Mihara Ken was...

Gold gleams in subtle wisps on the rim, and silver shimmers through tarnished metal glaze on this dark vessel by by Sakata Jinnai enclosed in the original signed wood box titled Saishoku Mizusashi. An intriguing combination of glazes over a modernist form, enigmatic patterns like fletching cascade down the dark sides, and iridescent clouds glimmer subtly on the surface with tinges of blue showing through about the shoulder. Amazing when moving in the light, it is very difficult to capture this ...

A gorgeous Mimitsuki handled vase with flaring rim covered in in running ash glaze and encrustations of dark embers by Tanimoto Yo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iga Hana-ire. It is 26 cm (10-1/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition. This is a superb example of the traditional Momoyama aesthetic.
Born in 1958 the son of Iga potter Tanimoto Kosei, Yo was raised among the kilns and has always had his hands in clay. He first began exhibiting in 1982, and in 1984 move...

Wow I need that! is all I could say the first time I saw this piece by Furutani Taketoshi while visiting the Churokuen Kiln early this year. The tendrils of natural ash glaze wrap around the simplified form like the roots of some ancient Shinboku (God Tree). It is unpretentious, but stands out clearly as a masterpiece by this very talented young potter. It comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Shizen Yu Yohen Hanaire (Shigaraki Natural Ash Glazed Kiln Altered Vase)...

A snow-bank sides over bottomless black, creating a stark sense of drama on this deep Chawan by Miwa Kazuhiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shiro Yume Wan (White Dream Bowl). The bowl is both sculptural and unusual, express the innovative work of this contemporary potter.
Size, D 12.1 x 12.6 cm H 12.5 x 13.1 cm
Condition, Excellent
Kazuhiko likely needs no introduction. Born into the family of living National Treasure Miwa Kyusettsu, he was not only...

An exquisite Venetian glass vase by Yasuda Taizo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Lace pattern vase. A web of hair thin qhite is woven into the clear glass hemmed by bars of gold. It is 16.5 x 7 x 17 cm (6-1/2 x 2-3/4 x 6-3/4 inches). Yasuda Taizo was born in Hyogo prefecture in 1972. He studied Glass making at the Toyama Prefectural Glass Research Facility, graduating there in 1994, and continued working in Toyama until 1997, when he established his own studio. However it ...

A spectacular work by Ohi Toshio enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Ohi Hakuyu Saiki.  The feeling is like Raku, with a very thin glaze over rough clay affecting hi-iro colors within the glazing.  This is a wonderful piece for showing this master-potters control of glazing and firing technique.  He is a potter who embraces both traditional characteristics of Ohi while asserting his own unique character. Each piece is distinctly his own, and easily identifiable by the nuanced co...

A Yuteki Tenmoku chawan in sumtous colors, dark blues within, midnight drizzling to sunrise pinks and sunset oranges on the side by Kimura Moriyasu enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 4-1/2 inches (11.5 cm) diameter and in excellent condition.
Kimura Moriyasu (b. 1935) studied pottery initially at the Kyoto Ceramics Research Facility (which turned out such masters as Hamada Shoji and Kawai Kanjiro) and then under his brother Kimura Morikazu. He is well known for his use of...