This is everything we could hope for in a bowl by this esteemed artist, Kakurezaki Ryuichi enclosed in th original signed wooden box.  The first photograph tells it all, with a superb, organic form displaying a hint of green ash on the rim over a burnished red bleeding into raw pale clay spattered with goma and matte reds with small inclusions peeking out through the clay surface.  The wide base and low stance create a very powerful presence. 
Size, D 12.2 x 13.8 cm   H 11.1  cm (in...

A superb example of Iga in a slightly flaring form by Tsujimura Kai enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iga Chawan.  A perfect charring descends like a waterfall from the rim on one side, sheltered by crystallized green ash on the flame scorched terracotta body.  The exverted shape allows the bowl a very comfortable fit into the palm, and the wide kodai base allows it to sit stable and firm, creating a proud silhouette. 
Size, D 13.4 cm   H 8.8  cm  
Condition, ...

One of the more innovative and international minded ceramicists on the Japanese pottery scene, Ryoji Koie’s interests and expertise are barely confined by this genre—as he often integrates non-traditional methods and materials...

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  ...

An organic form covered in thick emerald glaze Higashida Shigemasa and enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Oribe Jikiro.  The eclectic shape is rendered roma block of clay, hollowed and torn, like the ragged crags of Gifu, home of this pottery tradition.  Natural textures to bring out the depths of the oribe green, and electric shimmers of blue rush over the edges evoking the sense of water on the move...

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.  ...

Extraordinary Hagi Chawan made by Seigan Yamane. The bowl is covered with a wonderful draft ice glaze. Mint condition.

Seigan Yamane was born in 1952, and started making Hagi ware in 1987. And then, he started his own pottery in 1992 and has ever been awarded a lot of prizes for his great work.

Size: 9 cm height x 14 cm in diameter.

Shipping included...

Fired for days at over 1,400C degrees, this primordial-looking wonder of ancient potting technology displays a number of beautiful natural effects from the interaction of the clay, minerals, and ash from the unique style of kiln.

The creator of this work Michio Furutani (1946 - 2000) is regarded as one of the true greats of Shigaraki potting and is noted for being the first to revive the ancient art of anagama kiln firing in this region...

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...

Reminiscent of lines of dripping wax from a candle, the colored ripples streaming down the sides of this tea bowl give the impression of fluidity and transformation...

An incredible organic form, the delicate petals appearing to waft in some tide by Shingu Sayaka enclosed in the original signed wooden box. A closed bud on the side is lined with hundreds of tiny sharp needles in black. It is 8 x 5 x 4 inches (20 x 12 x 10 cm) and in excellent condition.
Shingu Sayaka was born in Osaka, the industrial and commercial heartland of central Japan, in 1979...

Stripes of vivid color define this very large pottery bowl by Watanabe Kunio enclosed in the original wooden box titled Iro-e Kin/Gin-Sai Sen Mon Hachi. It is 43 cm (17 inches) diameter and in excellent condition. Due to size the cost of shipping will be accrued separately.
The first time I saw this artists work I was blown away by the precision, skill and beauty inherent...

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!)...

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 striking tea bowl showing precipitous dark mountains shadowed by drifts of white Hagi fog by Saka Koraizaemon XII enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hagi Chawan.  Rough textured clay and smooth white glazes combine for a tactile ménage.  The bowl conforms beautifully to the palm, and rests on a sturdy three part kodai.  It was the featured work on the invitation card of a Takashimaya Department Store exhibition and comes complete with a signed catalog from the show. 
...

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 entrancing mesh pattern covers this delicate form by legendary potter Hamada Shoji enclosed in a fine kiri-wood box annotated by his son Hamada Shinsaku titled Kaki-yu Nuki-e Kabin.  Slight drag-marks add a tactile sense to the body, and dark black tinges the edges of the white resist patterns...

The name “Tobe-ware” first appeared in historical documents in the mid-18th century, though the tradition itself dates back well over 1,000 years. Within this style can be found an abundance of fine porcelain and celadon works as well as works painted with dark ferrous glazes—such as the piece featured here.

The creator of this fine work Sakai Yoshito (b. 1931) has been the main figure in maintaining the Tobe-ware tradition in modern times. Winner of numerous awards for his ex...

A large bowl covered in rich Oribe green by Koie Ryoji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Oribe Chawan.  Asymetric lines scar the blanketed green body, the rim undulating like ripples on a pond around the misshapen form.  An excellent example of this important artists work. 
Size, D 14.2 x 15.1 cm ( 5.9 inches)  H 9.2  cm ( 3.6 inches) 
Condition, Excellent 
Born in Tokoname, 1938, Koie Ryoji graduated the Tokoname industrial school and moved on to work ...

A very unusual jar covered in crinkled metallic green glaze with a wooden lid covered with cloth wrapped in a net of orange chord made to hold tea leaves by Sugimoto Sadamitsu enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The appearance is deceptively large. Spectacular kiln effects live up to this artists reputation. It is 8 inches (20 cm) diameter, 8-1/2 inches (21.5 cm) tall plus lid. And in excellent condition.. This is the first and only tea leaf jar (Chatsubo) I have seen by this import...

One of my personal favorite shapes for a chawan, the wa-nari (sometimes pronounced rin-nari) appears firmly grounded and balanced at all times. With round curving surfaces so natural in the hand—they conjure images of ripe fruit waiting to be devoured.

This piece was produced by Koizumi kiln in Aichi Prefecture, most likely by the head potter Kato Shineda—though it only bears the seal of the kiln and not the potter. The outside of the bowl displays a gray field with swaths of l...

Here is the next chawan from our collection of items of Human National Treasures: a wonderful Seto chawan by legendary artist Munemaro Ishiguro (1893-1968), enclosed in its originally signed and sealed wooden box.

In 1918, Ishiguro Munemaro set his goal of becoming a ceramist after seeing a spotted tenmoku tea bowl at Tokyo Art Club. On his own, he researched Chinese ceramics of the Tang and Song dynasties, Korean ceramics, and so on, and grounded on abundant experience and skill, ...

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. Bo...

Like the charred remains of an open book deep fingerprints still visible from the opening hands within, this is a fine example of the work of Avante Garde Akiyama Yo enclosed in the original wooden box dating from 2013. It is 6-1/2 x 5 inches (16/5 x 13 cm) and is in excellent condition.
Akiyama Yo was born in Yamaguchi, home of Hagi pottery) in 1953, but went to Kyoto to study at the Kyoto Municipal University of Arts in 1976. He has an impressive list of exhibitions both domestic and ...

A tall shizen-yu vase by Sugimoto Sadamitsu enclosed in the original wooden box signed underneath and titled Iga-Hanaire , named within the lid Roso by Sadamitsu (the old priest by Sadamitsu).  We see the slightly hunched over form is indeed reminiscent of an old priest, wrapped in robes of green and black and leaning on his staff.  This piece appears to have been buried quite deeply in ash, which clung charred and blasted base and has been ground off to create a new texture, like the water bu...

A fine Bizen tokkuri embellished with nobori kiri by Abe Anjin enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Bizen Kakyo Tokkuri. Once again Abe Anjin has proved his mastery of traditional form with this superb rendition of Momoyama styling; the thick squat form, stoopedr like the shoulders of an aged warrior from that long ago era, his family crest emblazoned on his back. 
Size, D 9.1 cm ( 3.6 inches)  H 13.1  cm (5.2 inches) 
Condition, Excellent 
Born in Osaka in ...

This remarkable tea bowl is from the kilns of Yoshida Shuen (1940-1987)—an apprentice of Miwa Kyusetsu (1910-2012) who was awarded the status of Living National Treasure in 1983. It features a warm milky beige glaze with light umber accents and shows a bit of exposed clay on the kodai (foot) where the artists seal is located.

Hagi-yaki has a tradition stretching back over 400 years and is a high-fired stoneware type of pottery. Hagi-ware is prized for its subdued colors and class...

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.
Size, D 18.1 cm (7.1 inches)  H 20....

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. In 1998 Mitsuru was named a Prefectural Intangible Cultural Property for Okayama...

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....

Large, robust Shigaraki chaire by internationally recognized potter, Kanzaki Shiho. Fired for 10 days in an anagama kiln, this Shigaraki chaire has a wonderful coating of ash with some rich hi-iro fire color on the back and foot. The chaire is signed on the foot and comes complete with its shifuku, silk bag, lid and signed box. The chaire measures 8cm x 7.6cm and is in its original condition.