A lot of drama in this crispy glazed tsubo deeply scored by the artists fingers, the trailing divets filled with running ash glaze by Murakoshi Takuma, two deep punctures in the side where it sank into the kiln supports, and a large artist performed gold repair where it had adhered to the kiln floor. The gold glimmers from the darkest part of the vessel, where it was charred black from laying in the embers...

A large tsubo in gold and white slip by Miyashita Hideko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Haku-a Kaki Rin to Shite Yo. The title speaks of standing up alone, and the artist told me it was a piece she created when she came to terms with the grief of her husband passing away and had decided to make a fresh go of life. The form was influenced by ancient Chinese maternal sculptures, thus the forward, broad stance...

A sculptural sake set in rich oribe green, shell marks, copper glaze and gorgeous blue by rising star potter Inayoshi Osamu enclosed in their original signed wooden boxes titled Oribe Tokkuri and Oribe Guinomi respectively and date to 2019...

What an amazing looking piece, highlighting all the best in Bizen qualities by Kakurezaki Ryuichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Every aspect of this work is unique, the slightest change in viewing point gives new insight into the work and the artist who created it. Kuro goma, burnt red clay, pale green natural ash glaze and drips of charred black glaze running. If you get tired of looking at it, just turn the vase 30 degrees for an entirely new vantage...

Rich and Charred, the Ochre glaze has a texture which delights the bearer on this Sake Set by Hori Ichiro enclosed in their original signed wooden boxes titled Kiseto Tokkuri and Guinomi respectively and date to 2021. Unlike the more monotonous works typical of Ki-seto, It 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...

A boat shaped vessel by Kishimoto Kennin of Iga clay covered in green copper glaze enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iga Oribe Kaki and exhibited at a solo exhibition in Umeda Hankyu Department Store: catalog included.  It has a hurricane bow, the lines cut at a diagonal running down from it like froth leading to the wake as it plows forward.  It is a powerful work, and as the catalog shows, is excellent for flower arranging.  The Takarabune or boat shaped theme is a popular m...

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...

A spectacular work by legendary potter Kakurezaki Ryuichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The Imo-form 'Potato' covered in a molten ash, tendrils of which wrap around like many fingers, blue-gray ash with a pale brown color on the front side...

A rare and expressive example by the highly sought Tanaka Sajiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Chossen Karatsu Hana-ire.  Every aspect of this work is unique, the slightest change in viewing point gives new insight into the work and the artist who created it.  Rich green spreads like wet moss on one side, rust and dark iron pin-holed and distraught, form a base.  Above drapes pale Chossen Karatsu colors and an unusual pair of handles cling to the side.  If you get tired o...

Always innovative, here is a basin for flower arrangement in pastel Hagi colors by Kaneta Masanao carved and torn from a solid block of clay in the Kurinuki technique enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Making use of a flower frog, I can imagine a fabulous spray of green rising up from within the undulating rim, like the first burst of flora through the last of the winter snow. It is 30 x 21 x 12.5 cm (12 x 8 x 5 inches) and in perfect condition...

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...

Wood-fired Disk-shaped Vase by George Gledhill; Payette, ID. Ash glaze exterior, white glazed interior. H.3"(7.5cm) x Dia.9.75"(25cm.) There have been several influences to George Gledhill’s ceramic work. Buddhism has been a guiding force in life for many years, and George even visits local prisons to teach the Dharma to inmates. Through pottery and Buddhism, he was exposed to Tea practitioners who complimented his work and encouraged him to produce Tea wares...

Exquisite kiln effects mark this Ujoyaki Tsubo by Imai Rikei from Aomori Prefecture enclosed in the original signed wooden box named Zuiha (Swirling wave). It is 33 cm tall, 29 cm diameter and in excellent condition. Imai Rikei was born in Aomori Prefecture in 1947, and fires in the Ujoykai traditional manner making use of the worlds longest climbing kiln (guiness book of world records, 103 meters long, you can see it on youtube)...

The edges burn dark brown on this large Bizen vase by Kawabata Fumio enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Green ash clings to the upper surface, peeling away from the superheated corners, the bottom rich dark raw clay. The vase is (‘29 x 21 x 36 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Fumio was born in Yokohama city in 1948, far from the traditional kilns of Bizen hundreds of kilometers to the west in Okayama...

For Celadon aficionado Kato Tsubusa is like the jewel in the crown, a centerpiece so unusual and outstanding, and this vase is a particularly rare gem, enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled understatedly Hanaire.
Size, D 21.7 cm H 36.7 cm
Condition, Excellent
Kato Tsubusa was born in the home of Shino, Tajimi city. However after working some in pottery, he moved on to white porcelain, a leap from which he has never looked back. He has been displayed at t...

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...

Hayashi Shotaro is one of Japan’s preeminent potters, and he has outdone himself again with this mouthwatering work decorated with a pagoda in dark iron silhouette against an iron red sky fading to darkness at the rim. It comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Manyou Yamato-ro Henko (Manyo is his signature glaze and Yamato-ro refers to imagery of old Japan). This piece was shown at his exhibition celebrating 45 years of potting, and is featured in the catalog image number 19...

Hanging Vase, Kakehanaire, by Sachiko Furuya; Honolulu, HI. H. 4"(10cm) x Dia. 4"(10cm,) mouth opening 1.75" (4.5cm.) Iron, White, Bamboo Ash glazes. Braided raffia hanging string. THe shape of the pot is reminiscent of "tako tsubo," pots used for catching octopus. 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 Univ...