Catalog (431)

This white porcelain statue depicts a small seated Bodhisattva deep in meditation. Bodhisattva, otherwise known as bosatsu in Japan, are enlightened beings who have postponed Buddha-hood in order to remain on earth and help others to break their cycles of karma. The base of this statue is unglazed showing the fine porcelain clay from which it is crafted. The seal of the Imperial Court Artist who fashioned it can be seen clearly impressed on the unglazed base.

Suwa Sozan the first (1...

This extraordinary cha-ire (powdered tea container) displays an excellent glaze that appears to have only grown more intricate and rich with time. Contrasting against a reddish brown background are flows and pools of darker glaze along with lighter textured speckles. On the base is a stamp indicating that this piece is a type of Shidoru-yaki and the overall appearance shows quite some age.

Shidoro-yaki is a type of Mino-ware that has a long history stretching back as far as the Muro...

From a well-known series entitled “Chōtō” (Listening to the Waves) this contoured vase features a sandy glaze that the sculptor claims is an expression of the features of the landscape where he grew up.

Born in the port city of Shimoda, Sakiyama studied art in Osaka and then later went on to open his own kiln that he named “Hidaka” (High Sun). Appearing to have a natural gift for form and proportion, his pieces soon attracted the attention of galleries and collectors not ...

A beautiful example of modern Bizen-ware—with a thick feldspar glaze partially covering the clay body allowing the natural ash glaze underneath to show through in areas. This piece along with others by the same artist tend to push the bounds of what you usually see in Bizen pottery.

The craftsman who made this piece, Takahiro Ishii, was born in Tokyo, and, after studying ceramics for a number of years, he moved to Bizen to become a ceramics teacher and later opened his own kiln. H...

A black Raku ceremonial tea bowl displaying an excellent patina bestowed by time. The light colored clay peeks through in areas giving this piece a unique feel. Though the box is signed by the artist known as Rakuen, details on this particular potter seem to be lost to time. Condition of the box and the look of the tea bowl suggest a date of produced sometime in late Edo to Meiji (100-200 year ago).

In excellent condition, this tea bowl is 4.3 inches in diameter at its widest point ...

This depiction of the eternal “ensō” on a backdrop of pearly white feldspar over red clay 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 Gi...

From a well-known series entitled “Chōtō” (Listening to the Waves) this contoured vase features a sandy glaze that the sculptor claims is an expression of the features of the landscape where he grew up.

Born in the port city of Shimoda, Sakiyama studied art in Osaka and then later went on to open his own kiln that he named “Hidaka” (High Sun). Appearing to have a natural gift for form and proportion, his pieces soon attracted the attention of galleries and collectors not ...

This Hirado-yaki brush-rest—fashioned for the scholars desk of a bygone era—features meticulously sculpted plum blossoms set in a porcelain reproduction of a knotted plum branch. Hirado wares—alternately known as Mikawachi wares in some contexts—are known throughout Japan and also abroad for their high quality and fine craftsmanship and date back at least as far as the mid-18th century when they were produced exclusively for powerful lords and their families. In the 19th century, Hirado ...

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. Anagama kilns or “cave kilns” originated ...

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. Born in the town of Tokonmae in 1938, from a young age he studied potting—a staple of the local economy—and later went on to do independent research, open his own kiln, travel widely participating in international conferences and workshops, and finally to become a...

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. Born in the town of Tokonmae in 1938, from a young age he studied potting—a staple of the local economy—and later went on to do independent research, open his own kiln, travel widely participating in international conferences and workshops, and finally to become a...

Heavily influenced by Koryo potting styles and techniques, the Tobei lineage has been crafting exceptional tea-ware implements for 13 generations. The piece shown here was made by the 12th generation (Tahara) and, due to its excellent character, was endorsed by the 15th tea master of the Urasenke School of Tea, Hōunsai. The natural ash glaze gradates from a glossy lavender towards the top to a light tan nearer the bottom. Along one side is the characteristic milky glaze so often seen in this ty...

This eye-catching porcelain composition covered in red-glaze and highlighted with sensational gold-leaf inlay is an iconic design often employed by Ono Hakuko.

Ono Hakuko (1915 -1996) is an important figure in the world of Japanese ceramics and one of the only women in the field to gain wide acclaim and recognition for her work. Taught mainly by her father from a young age, Hakuko later found inspiration in the works of Living National Treasure Kato Hajime (1900 - 1968) whose style...

An ancient technique known as “haito” in Japanese was used to give this piece its distinctive look. Thought to have originated in neolithic times and commonly used during the T’ang and Song dynasties in China, an excess of fuel is added at the very end of firing which causes a thick layer of grey ash to adhere to the outside of the vessel. Below the ash glaze of this piece is a yellow amber reflective coating that shows through in areas giving it an almost imperceptible glittering effect ...

Decidedly modern, Japanese, and minimalist; the textures, colors, and form of this fascinating tea bowl all suggest inspiration from natural objects. The grey, smooth, polished interior of the tea bowl contrasts nicely with the textured ferrous dark ochre ash glaze on the exterior. Somewhere between an ido and wan-nari shape, it rests surprisingly well in the hand and allows the user to contemplate the mysteries of nature through their tactile and visual senses.

Widely exhibited bot...

The shape of the this tea bowl is known as “tsutsu” in Japanese and is regarded as being especially attractive. Tsutsu bowls are used mainly in the depths of winter to keep in the heat and prevent the tea from cooling too quickly. Though most tsutsu bowls are defined by their smooth, curved edges and contoured clay bodies, this piece is distinct in having more defined edges and straight sides. Tea disciples of all stripes appreciate this type of bowl for its elegant lines and functional prop...

Yuzo Kondo is one of the more recognized names in the world of modern Japanese pottery of the 20th century. Though known mainly for his sometsuke creations (blue and white porcelain), he did not settle on this style until well into his potting career that lasted nearly seven decades. The pieces shown here then would be from an earlier period and are evidence of his competency with varied styles and glazes—not just the ones he is most well-known for. The intricate brushwork on each flask also d...

This extraordinary vase is a truly Japanese expression of a classical Chinese form. Fashioned after cylindrical Song Dynasty pieces that are thought to have been introduced in the 9th century from Syria, the handles are of Chinese origin and represent the mythical "Fenghuang" (Hōu in Japanese). This deity, typically depicted with the body of a bird with characteristics of a dragon, is believed to have originated in the sun and is thought to symbolize virtue, wisdom, and grace. Made ...