Catalog (431)

An excellent example of Japanese rustic charm that transcends its humble origins to embody a refined artistic work, this mizusashi, or fresh water pot used in tea ceremony, displays a beautiful natural ash glaze that includes dazzling ochres, browns, grays, and yellows splashed across the intentionally rough and contoured ceramic landscape.

Iga-ware pottery dates back to 7th and 8th century and—like so many other pottery styles in Japan—takes its name from the region where it wa...

Long a symbol of longevity, good luck, and support in many parts of Asia; in Japan the turtle has the added symbolism of being one of the cardinal protectors of Heian, the ancient capital city of Kyoto. This rendition of a turtle basking on a sunny riverbank was done by one of the most renowned and loved Waka poets of the 19th century, Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875).

Born into a Samurai family but soon after adopted by the Ōtagaki family, from the age of seven to sixteen Re...

Most noted for his works of Shino, this attractive Oribe piece by Kato Takeshi is distinctive and eye-catching.

Born the son of a potter in 1947, Takeshi studied under Kobayashi Bunichi, Ohashi Momonosuke and later in Kyoto under Uchida Kunio, opening his own kiln in 1973 (Genkuro-gama). Since then he has shied from the realm of public competition in favor of the personal world of private exhibitions, including the Shinjuku Odakyu and Isetan galleries among many others.

...

This depiction of the eternal “ensō” on a backdrop of pearly white feldspar signifies enlightenment, the eternal, the nothingness, and the freedom of the mind to envision and to create. Wood-fired in a small-batch ana-gama, the techniques used to produce such works stretch back over 500 years and were only recently revived in the first half of the previous century by a dedicated group of artists.

The potter who created this piece (Kato Kozo) was born in 1935 in Gifu prefecture ...

Looking something akin to dragon skin with gilded beads glistening between the scales, this recent creation by young artist Hiramatsu Ryoma demonstrates his creative imagination and challenges the traditional boundaries of what defines a guinomi (Saké cup). Described as a “Kiretsu-mon” (ki = turtle, retsu = cracked, mon = design/ crest), according to Hiramatsu, his inspiration for this piece came from an ancient form of sea life known as an Ammonite—a large spiraled mollusk who’s shells...

Looking something akin to dragon skin with gilded beads glistening between the scales, this recent creation by young artist Hiramatsu Ryoma demonstrates his creative imagination and challenges the traditional boundaries of what defines a guinomi (Saké cup). Described as a “Kiretsu-mon” (ki = turtle, retsu = cracked, mon = design/ crest), according to Hiramatsu, his inspiration for this piece came from an ancient form of sea life known as an Ammonite—a large spiraled mollusk who’s shells...

Ripples of light and dark pigmentation flowing on a background of sky-blue glaze—the description on the box reads 萩孔雀 (Hagi kujyaku) translating as “peacock Hagi” in English. With a distinctive wari-kodai (segmented foot) and unique glaze emulating the vibrant plumage of the notoriously flamboyant bird, this piece leaves a lasting impression.

Born in the illustrious potting town of Hagi, Yamane began his potter’s journey at the age of 35. Unlike many ceramicists who b...

A Korean vase dating from the early Joseon period (“Richo” in Japanese; 1392-1897). This particular piece appears to date from the 16th/ 17th century and comes with an antique wood box. The light brown crackled glaze is smooth in the hand and has a warm inviting rustic feel. Several gold repairs can be seen along the upper rim providing a subtle yet noticeable contrast between the rustic glazed clay and the shiny metal. Such pieces have long been favored by learned cha-jin (tea people) and a...

This remarkable hira tea bowl displays a subtle grace and refined elegance grounded in classic form, masterfully applied glazing, and a delightful rustic feel bestowed by the hand of time. Though the glazing is described as shiro-yu, or white glazing, it appears more of a creamy shade of beige. The fine crackles of the glaze, the soft flowing edges, and the excellent patina combine to really make this Kiyomizu tea bowl shine.

The birth of Kiyomizu-yaki, with its over 400 years of hi...

This peach-shaped suiteki (water dropper for calligraphy) is made of fine kinuta celadon from one of the great masters of the Meiji era—Suwa Sozan. A classic design, the peach is said to represent long-life for mortals and immortality for the gods in asian folklore. According to legend, the moon goddess—a powerful alchemist—can make an elixir from peaches that grow in the garden of the western paradise with miraculous revitalizing properties.

Suwa Sozan the first (1852—1922...

Stemming from the philosophy of wabi-sabi—often described as the beauty found in the imperfection and transience of the world—cracks and repairs in a work of pottery are often seen as highlighting the history and importance of a ceramic object. Practitioners of tea in particular are fond of reminding us that works repaired with lacquer and gold such as the one featured here become more resilient and beautiful for having been damaged. In this case, the gold repairs undoubtedly enhance the bea...

Appearing to capture an ocean inside a tea bowl, this particular work has been given the very fitting poetic name “Nami” or wave. Masterfully crafted by veteran potter Hideo Torazawa, the inside is painted with a special glaze known as heki-yu—prized for its pure aquamarine character with accents of sapphire and azure depending on the light.

Born in Gifu prefecture in 1935, Hideo Torazawa has enjoyed a long and productive career as a potter and has mastered a number of diffic...

One of the finest, most daring, and well-crafted works I have seen by this legendary artist who is known for his non-conformist and bold style. Suzuki Goro has outdone himself with this Rose Oribe ceremonial tea bowl. Oribe is a visual style named after the late-16th-century tea master Furuta Oribe (1544-1615). The most common types in this genre are Oribe-guro with jet-black glazes and feldspar ornamentation, Ao-Oribe with dark-green glazes, followed by the somewhat rarer type of Oribe known as...

Used for ceremonial purposes by the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. Traditionally, the jue vessel was made of bronze with a pouring spout on either end and a pair of capped posts rising from the rim. This ceramic jue cup is done in fine porcelain with underglaze enamel and is described on the tomobako as being a jue-shaped incense burner (korou). One of Chikusen’s finest works, the painting shows a pastoral scene in the countryside in Japan.

Miura Chikusen (1854 - 1915) was an exc...

Like most Shigaraki-wares, this piece has a somewhat primal feeling to it, as though it belongs to a previous geological era in time. Rivulets of vitrified green, grey, and yellow ash stand against a background gradient of soft to intense ochres of the clay body. The intense firing process of this type of pottery for days in an anagama kiln results in a beautiful ashen glaze with a warm, soft, yet vibrant glow when set in the light.

The vase seen here, is a culmination of many year...

This tea bowl crafted by one of the great masters of Japanese pottery depicts Meota Iwa—a famous Japanese landmark in Mie. Symbolizing the union between two divine deities, Izanagi (said to be the larger rock, though there is no consensus on this point) and his wife Izanami, the two are joined by a shimenawa (heavy straw rope used in Japanese Shinto ceremonies). This straw rope is quite massive and must be replaced several times a year in a special ceremony. One could think of this in terms of...

According to the potter who crafted this fine piece, “The clay from our area in the north is alive. We listen to it in order to divine the most suitable objects to create.” Here we see the clay wished to become a well-formed ceremonial tea bowl with an impressionistic rendition of a Japanese Iris. Simple, well formed, and with a soft rusticity; a cup of tea becomes a meditation on the charms of quiet country living.

Originally from Iwate (b. 1937), Murakami currently resides in ...

With a slender balanced foot firmly grounded, the skillful lacquer repairs on this bowl highlight the age and importance of this work which likely dates from the Edo period. Stemming from the philosophy of wabi-sabi or, beauty in the imperfect, cracks and repairs in a work of pottery are often seen as highlighting the history of the object and are thus celebrated as such. Practitioners of tea in particular are fond of reminding us that works repaired in this way become more resilient and more be...