Catalog (431)

The lower half of a blackened enso dips from the rim on a backdrop of gray crackled glazing interspersed with auburn highlights. Rising up from below into the enso, frothy waves crash on rocks giving the impression of movement, power, and the indomitable forces of nature.

Born in Gifu Prefecture in the region known for Mino pottery, Wakao is the quintessential example of a self-taught potter who cultivated a unique style and achieved wide recognition despite no formal training. Afte...

Rough stones can be seen protruding from the unrefined ferrous clay—darkening near the base and graduating to a lighter shade as it approaches the feldspar laden lip. The inside—also covered in a smooth and viscous feldspar glaze—creates a magnificent contrast with the rough exterior. This piece represents one of Handeishi’s finer works from his later period; and, taken on its own merits, is an exceptionally fine example of Iga-ware—traditionally produced in the famed potting region so...

During the Meiji period there were only five potters ever to be awarded the prestigious designation of Imperial Court Artist: Ito Tozan, Seifu Yohei III, Miyagawa Kozan, Itaya Hazan, and the artist whose work is featured here, Suwa Sozan. Several years prior to receiving this designation, Sozan spent a period of time in Korea where he undertook the formidable task of excavating and restoring ancient Korean kilns in an attempt to replicate traditional techniques used in centuries past. The vase f...

In the world of Japanese ceramics, Tamamizu-ware has almost a mythical standing. A branch of the main Raku line, at one time the two kilns held equal prominence, both being endorsed by the major tea schools of Kyoto and both being favored by the Imperial household. The first in the line was an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (Yahē) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho). Though he is the first potter of the Tam...

This exceptional tea bowl was crafted by one of the great masters of Japanese pottery and given the poetic name “Nami” (wave) by a famous tea master of the Ura-senke school of tea. The Chinese character is not the standard writing for wave but rather one with more nuance, suggesting longevity—as in the image of a long enduring cresting wave. The white hakeme brush strokes and the overall shape of the tea vessel fit perfectly with its poetic name, making this ceremonial tea bowl perfect for...

Raku-ware carries with it a very naturalistic aura; with its implements made of raw clay, its use of fire water and air to shape and harden these implements, and with its myriad processes that produce smooth glossy surfaces—like those often found in nature. In fact, if you look more deeply into Raku, you find that many of the shapes and motifs are also inspired by nature. For example, this masterfully crafted mizusashi (fresh water pot) takes its inspiration from the shape of one of the most ...

In the world of Japanese ceramics, Tamamizu-ware has an almost mythical standing. A branch of the main Raku line, at one time the two kilns held equal prominence, both being endorsed by the major tea schools of Kyoto and both being favored by the Imperial household. The first in the line was an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (Yahē) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho). Though he is the first potter of the Ta...

In the world of Japanese ceramics, Tamamizu-ware has an almost mythical standing. A branch of the main Raku line, at one time the two kilns held equal prominence, both being endorsed by the major tea schools of Kyoto and both being favored by the Imperial household. The first in the line was an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (Yahē) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho). Though he is the first potter of the Ta...

An exceptionally large work by one of the most important contemporary ceramic artists in Japan. Collected widely both here and abroad, a favorite of Daitoku temple in Kyoto who hold a number of his works. Pieces by this artist are held internationally by museums including: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Stockholm Museum of Art, and the Urasenke Chado Research Center, Miho Museum.

Trained in a Zen temple before becoming a potter, Tsujimura Shiro (b. 1947) is not your typical craftsm...

One of the most important Japanese potters of the 20th century, skilled in an impressive number of styles, today his pieces can be found in museum collections around the world. The kintsugi used here was recently reapplied by a top artisan and uses copper, which, with age should display a blueish color to complement the cobalt blue of the dish.

Born the second son of the head priest of Kamigamo Shrine in the north of Kyoto (very close to our gallery), Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883-1959) is...

The trademark glaze on this delightful sake flask (tokkuri) is by none other than 8th generation Hagi potter Masanao Kaneta. Close inspection reveals flecks of reflective powdered shell on a backdrop of thick, translucent glaze with hues of orchid, salmon, and ivory. One of our favorite Hagi potters, if you have not previously experienced works by this artist we cannot recommend him enough.

Like the seven generations who proceeded him, Masanao Kaneta (b. 1953) learned his Hagi tech...

One of only five Imperial Court Artists of Meiji, ceramic pieces by Kōzan are highly prized by collectors and are ever more difficult to find on the market these days. Here we have a fantastic example of a guardian shishi from the Kōzan kiln crafted in fine celadon. Considered auspicious symbols of wealth, status, and good fortune; foo dogs—commonly referred to as shishi or koma-inu in Japan—are often seen in pairs guarding shrines, straddling in the doorways of shops, and protecting publi...

A collaboration piece between the famed poet/ nun of the late Edo period Rengetsu and her younger protege Tessai, this scroll depicts a frightened cricket making his way to the top of a stalk of grass on a windy day. Set in the fall season, the viewer can imagine a message of frailty, loneliness, and possibly the feeling of trepidation that accompanies the turning of the seasons towards the colder months. Melancholic though it may seem at first glance, there is the deeper, more hopeful message o...

This beautiful Red Raku tea bowl is the work of Raku XI Keinyu (1817-1902), the 11th Raku potter in an unbroken line of artisans stretching back over 450 years. Keinyu was adopted into the Raku family after marrying the daughter of the 10th Kichizaemon, thereupon becoming torchbearer for the most noted and celebrated tradition of pottery within the world of Japanese tea. One of Keinyu’s classic creations, this tea bowl highlights his honed sense of proportion, his versatility as a potter, and ...

Raku-ware carries with it a very naturalistic aura; with its implements made of raw clay, its use of fire water and air to shape and harden these implements, and with its myriad processes that produce smooth glossy surfaces—like those often found in nature. In fact, if you look more deeply into Raku, you find that many of the shapes and motifs are inspired directly by nature.

Born the second son of Raku VII, Chônyû (1714 - 1770), Ryônyû took over the title of Kichizaemon (head...

Tamba-yaki, with its origins reaching back as far as the end of the Heian Era or early Kamakura Period (1180-1230), is one of the six ancient pottery centers of Japan along with Seto, Tokoname, Shigaraki, Bizen, and Echizen. The pottery of Tamba is said to have an elegant simplicity and an understated beauty that stems from its calm simple lines. The hues of Tambayaki are drawn forth from the iron-bearing clay by the flames of the traditional “anagama” and the “noborigama” (styles of kil...

From a large collection of Edo period Nabeshima and Hirado-ware, this intricately crafted vase features two serpentine dragons intertwined across the face of the round porcelain vessel. In addition to the carved dragons, the body displays a painted third dragon, much fiercer than the two in relief. Overall in very good condition, there appear to be fine repairs made to the horns of one dragon.

Hirado wares—alternately known as Mikawachi wares in some contexts—are known throughou...

Revered Chinese scholar and tea master, Lù Yǔ is known as the “Sage of Tea” and is credited with advancing the practice of tea through the writing of his life’s work,The Classic of Tea. Here we see a masterful rendition of this historic figure done by one of the most iconic Kyoto painters—and founder of the Maruyama school—Maruyama Ōkyo.

Student of Ishida Yutei (1772-1786), Maruyama studied primarily Kano and Tosa painting and was influenced greatly by western art, par...