Enigmatic forms vie for dominance on the mottled blue and white sides of this Incense Burner by Kondo Takahiro with silver lid by famed metal artist Watanabe Kyosei (Yasumasa) enclosed in the original wooden box signed by both artists.   For a strikingly similar work see the book Kondo Takahiro, Time and Space (a copy is included with this sale).  The silver lid is 154 grams...

Once again Abe Anjin has lived up to our expectations with his revival of Momoyama period potting techniques, a field in which he is a forerunner.  Here is a squat bottle blasted with a Rorschach spatter, testing our inner perceptions.  All about the clay has been vitrified into a lustrous red,and the base is like textured stone, showing the extreme temperature with which it was fired. 
Size, D 22.5 cm   H 24.5  cm  
Condition, Excellent 
Born in Osaka in 1938, the mys...

A striking set by rising star Suzuki Taku enclosed in the original signed wooden boxes titled Kuro-Sabi (Black Rust) Tokkuri and Guinomi respectively.  These display his famed rust glazes, which not only display remarkable color variations, but also textures, creating a pleasurable experience for both the eyes and the hands. 
Size, D 8.5  cm (Tokkuri)  H 13.1 cm (Tokkuri) 
Size, D 6.8 cm (Guinomi)  H 4.2  cm (Guinomi) 
Condition, Excellent 
Suzuki Taku is a r...

Two Guinomi sake cups and a Tokkuri by Takauchi Shugo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Oribe Sake-ki and dated 1998. The box contains two cups, one tall, one short , and one Tokkuri, all in similar design.The set was from a solo exhibition held at the Nipponbashi Mitsukoshi Department Store in Tokyo, January 1998.The box contains the original exhibition invitation as well, and has been decorated with an image of the set by Shugo.
Size,(Tokkuri) D 6.7 cm   H 16.9  cm  ...

A stoic old codger by Furutani Michio stooped at the shoulders and yet standing proud, like some old soldier on Remembrance Day.  This is a superb example of this important artists work, showing both his reverence for traditional form and the lengths he went ot reviving the traditions of wood fired kiln effects.  It comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iga Hanaire. 
Size, D 13.8 cm   H 25.8  cm  
Condition, Excellent 
Price,(Sold)
Furutan...

An organic form in mottled Bizen clay from the unorthodox artist Kawabata Fumio enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Bizen Shizen Nerikomi Kaki.  The clay peels away in petals, like some primordial flower opening to the Jurassic sky. 
Size, D 23.8 cm   H 28.2  cm  
Condition, Excellent 
Kawabata Fumio was born in Yokohama city in 1948, far from the traditional kilns of Bizen hundreds of kilometers to the west in Okayama...

Blue recedes from the wavering silver shore on this iconic form by Morino Taimei enclosed in the original signed wooden box.  Streaks of color, like the tide burbling back through the sand filled with oxygen and minerals.  Something very alive! 
Size, D 10.6 x 23.8  cm   H 25.4  cm  
Condition, Excellent 
Morino Taimei was born in Kyoto in 1934, and was first accepted into the Nitten National Exhibition at a relatively young age in 1957 (a year before graduating the Ky...

A fantastic sculptured vase by the outlandish Fujioka Shuhei enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iga Tochoki.  A frenzied stack of rugged corners like the fallen away sides of a mountain revealing the earth’s structure beneath a layer of green.  It is likely Fujiokasan is inspired by the brawny, rain drenched and forested mountains surrounding the town of Iga, where the Mountains formed a natural line of defense for the secret clans of Ninja who called the valley their home.  ...

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.  An excellent example of this artist and his Shell series. 
Size, D 15.4 cm ( 6 inches)  H 25.8  cm ( 10 inches) 
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...

Another Spectacular work by one of my personal favorites, and undeniably one of the currently living greats of Shino Hayashi Shotaro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shino Yohen Tsubo. The piece is 14-1/2 inches (26.5 cm) tall, 12-1/2 x 11 inches (32.5 x 28 cm) and in excellent condition.
Shotaro (b. 1947) is one of the biggest names in contemporary Mino ceramics...

A large primitive robotic form by Morino Taimei in his iconic blue and gold dating from his experimental days in the early 1970 enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Soji Shiho Kabin. It is 12 inches (30 cm) tall, 6 inches (15 cm) square and in excellent condition.
Taimei was born in Kyoto in 1934, and was first accepted into the Nitten National Exhibition at a relatively young age in 1957 (a year before graduating the Kyoto Municipal University of Fine Art!)...

A frigid winter evening of snow and frozen grasses on the twilight gray of this exquisite vase by Yokoishi Gagyu XIII (b. 1935) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. 9-1/2 inches (24 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Gagyu’s first exhibited piece at the age of 20 in 1955 took the governors prize at the Nagasaki Kenten Prefectural Art Exhibition...

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 stellar Oribe vase of spirally torn clay by Kato Toyohisa enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Oribe Kaki. It is 11 inches (28 cm) tall, slightly oblong at 9-1/2 to 10-1/2 inches diameter (24 – 27 cm) and is in excellent condition.
Toyohisa was born in 1962. His work is both original and fresh and his challenging pursuit of Mino ceramics is evident in both his contemporary pieces and his traditional ones...

A soft pallet of blurred pastels blend between gold risers on this elegant form by Yoshita Yukio enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Saishoku Kinsai Hanike and dating circa 2002. It is 11 inches (28 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Yoshita Yukio is the fourth generation head of the Kinsan Kiln in Kutani, specializing in Kinsai and Yuri-Kinsai wares. Unlike standard Kutani wares, he uses a pallet of soft, earthy or pastels with accents in gold to create a new appeal...

The surface of this spiraling vessel has been shredded and scarred then covered in viscous copper glaze resulting in this stunning form by Kato Yasukage XIV (Shoji) enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Oribe Hana-ire.  It has a very organic feel, both from the texture and the imperfectly torn sides coated with various thicknesses of green glass, like water running over a stone surface.  This is a great opportunity to acquire a very special piece by this artist. The fact he...

Rivulets like stalagmitic sprouts weap from the crystallized walls of this squat Tsubo by Tsukigata Nahiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Oni-Shino Tsubo Hanaire.  Pealed back lunettes reveal the rough clay surface beneath, adding a sense of drama to the piece; putting it firmly in the natural world where asymmetry and imperfection reign.  A seminal work by this important artist whose influence will be felt for coming generations...

An iconic representation of this artists work, a large hidasuki Tsubo of red clay marked with burnt straw by Isezaki Mitsuru enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Bizen Tsubo. It is 9-1/2 inches (24 cm) diameter, 10-1/2 inches (26.5 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Isezaki Mitsuru (b. 1934) was born to a family of potters, his father Yozan and brother Jun both very important in Bizen pottery...

There is no doubt about the superlative nature of the deep celadon glazes used by Living National Treasure Nakajima Hiroshi, and this vessel is no let down.  A darkly crackled rich green covers this sake flask which comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled modestly Seiji Tokkuri.  Up from the base drive two fingers of rich red clay, the blanks left by the artists fingers when he dipped the bottle in glaze.  This adds a strong sense of connection between the artist and user. 

Marbled clay ruptures in fissured vertical strands to become this amorphic naturel form by Living National Treasure Matsui Kosei enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Neriage shoretsu Mon Hanaire.  This style is created by layering clay about a cylinder while turning the clay, then combing it before firing which allows the less compacted outer surface to split along the comb marks.  This is a technique developed by Kosei, and one of the reasons for which he would acquire such fame....

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...

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. His work was displayed for the first...

A massive Shigaraki Tsubo by Kanzaki Shiho enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Spectacular keshiki resulting from the combination of multiple kiln affects and textures. The Tsubo is 19-1/2 inches (50 cm) tall, 15 inches (38 cm) diameter and in perfect condition, dating circa 1990. Due to size the cost of shipping will be figured separately from the list price.
Kanzaki (b. 1942) prefers firing his kiln for ten days, resulting in the rich textures and heavy ash deposits apparent ...

Ash and color abound in the clefts and plateaus of this spectacular large bucket shaped vessel by Tamba legend Nishihata Tadashi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hai-yu Oke-gata Hana-ire.  Raw clay slashed with dark shadows.  Opposite rivulets of green drip down the torn and scarred faceted sides, the occasional impressions of a waffle-faced mallet adding a sense of drama and spontaneity to the random order of kiln-nature.  This is a top quality work by this highly sought art...

A large swirling form covered in fissured celadon by Minegishi Seiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The glaze is amazing to behold, the layers shattered into thousands of transparent crystallized flakes stacked upon one another. It is roughly 12 inches (31 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Born in 1952 in Saitama, Minegishi Seiko studied under various masters in Nagano, Tochigi and Ibaragi, going solo at the young age of 22. He worked in Kohiki ware initially, but moved t...

A large swelling bottle form vase covered in fissured celadon by Minegishi Seiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The glaze is amazing to behold, the layers shattered into thousands of transparent crystallized flakes stacked upon one another. It is roughly 12 inches (31 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Born in 1952 in Saitama, Minegishi Seiko studied under various masters in Nagano, Tochigi and Ibaragi, going solo at the young age of 22. He worked in Kohiki ware initially,...

A pointed tower in burnt gray clay by Mihara Ken enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kaki. Here the artist has joined three slabs into an unconventional horn, slotted on one side to accept a flower. A single camellia blossom in rich red, a few green leaves against the gray body in the dark corner of a Tea Room would be incredible. It is 11 inches tall and in fine condition.
Mihara Ken was born in Shimane prefecture in 1958, and apprenticed under Funaki Kenji at the age of ...

Stratified color radiates about this late work by artist Miyashita Zenji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Sai-Hafu Moyo Kabin.  Like ripples left by waves on the beach or wind in the dunes, the title means Colored Wave/Wind Patterned Vase.  It is an excellent example of this artist, at a size which makes it easily collectable. 
Size, D 11.2 cm ( 4.4 inches)  H 17.2  cm ( 6.8 inches) 
Condition: Excellent
Miyashita Zenji (1939-2012) was born into the fam...

Three finger strokes create enigmatic shapes like bent autumn grass or the rushing of a water fall on the dark side of this vase by Living National Treasure Hamada Shoji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kakeai-yu Kabin.  Above a pale millet dusts the rim, meetingthe dark glossy glaze at the shoulder. 
Size, D 11.5 cm ( 4.5 inches)  H 22.1  cm ( 8.7 inches) 
Condition, Excellent , The box with some age
Hamada Shoji was born in Tokyo, and enrolled in th...

A very desirable work with a swish of resist creating a white floral streak on the rich red and black of this contemporary Mashiko form by Living National Treasure Hamada Shoji enclosed in a box annotated by his son Shinsaku and titled Kaki-yu Nuki-e Kabin, Shoji-saku.  The form is iconic Mashiko, with a strong sense of the utilitarian, a keynote of the Mingei movement which Shoji represented.  A spectacular example of this artists work.
Size, D 14.2 cm ( 5.6 inches)  H 21.8  cm ( 8...

A very unusual sculpted work in crispy Manyosai Shino glaze by Hayashi Shotaro enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 8 x 10 x 10 inches (25 x 20 x 26 cm) and in excellent condition.
Shotaro is one of Japans true genius potters, moving far beyond tradition, glaze research and firing technique, to a place of inception. He first began with a 7 year apprenticeship under his older brother Kotaro, ending when he established his own kiln in 1974. Since then his list of exhibitions ...

A superb example of the work of this Living National Treasure, 8 inches (21 cm) diameter, 7-1/2 inches (19 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Designated Living National Treasure in 1997 for his supremacy in the use of Kutani glazes, Yasokichi, born Masahiko, has gone a step further than many National Treasures by broadening his spectrum with a new style of Kutani ware. Masahiko graduated from the Kanazawa school of arts, and took up apprenticeship under his father Yasokichi II. His work...

Like a mirror of the soul, the ovoid forms of Living National Treasure Tokuda Yasokichi III flash with brilliance, vivid color explodes, while the darkness seems infinite, impenetrable and reflecting only the world around it.  Here is a fine example of his work, pale blue blends through green into soft yellow before plummeting into darkness. The body of the vessel has been brought up to a very narrow neck, just wide enough to receive one flower before flaring out at the top.  It comes enclosed...

A proud form of a fulling block inscribed with a wave pattern in the raw clay of the base and covered in ame-yu glaze by Inoue Toya enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 9-1/2 inches (24 cm) tall, 6 inches (15 cm) diameter and in excellent condition.
Inoue Toya (1942-2013), graduated the prestigious Nihon Daigaku in 1966, having spent his student years excavating ancient Karatsu shards and researching their techniques. He apprenticed under the multifaceted potter Nushi Ensai...

A torn opening and zen-like slash creates a dramatic pairing on this otherwise austere shape by Miwa Ryosaku (Miwa Kyusetsu XII) enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kakehana-Ire (Hanging vase).  This combination of static form and calligraphic movement, like a Zen Brushwork, gives off a strong sense of immediacy, a fleeting sense of the moment which is the essence of Ichigo Ichie at the heart of the Tea ceremony.  As well it is this tension between tradition and artistic drama wh...

Iron infuses the draperies of crystlized Shino glaze covering this traditional bottle shaped vase by Tsukigata Nahiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Oni-Shino Tsubogata Hanaire.  A fold in the side adds asymmetry and a sense of immediacy to the piece, taking away the sense of creation and putting it firmly in the natural world where nothing is perfect (except perhaps the scent of a plum blossom!).  This is a quintessential work by this important artist whose work will remain...