Catalog: Artists: Ceramics: Pottery (134)

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)...

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...

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)...

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)...

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...

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...

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)...

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 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...

Oribe is a visual style named after the late-16th-century tea master Furuta Oribe (1544-1615). Typically, black or green glazes are applied to asymmetrical clay bodies and light-colored windows are created using feldspar. These high-contrast areas then act as a canvases upon which abstract, minimalistic, and often naturalistic themes are painted...

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 tea bowl...

Reminiscent of the wildly popular avant-garde works of Suzuki Goro, this striking modern interpretation of the classic tokkuri (sake flask) was done by budding artist Ikeda Shogo.

Born in 1976 in the southern port city of Kagoshima on the island of Kyushu, from a young age Ikeda would have been exposed to a great variety of ceramic-wares from the numerous historical kilns native to the region including Satsuma, Arita, Imari, and Karatsu...

Graceful, sensitive, and with a distinctively feminine aura—this subtle work of ceramic art has an air of quiet days spent in the garden or of spending an afternoon brightening up an interior space. Using a technique known as 灰釉 (kai-yu) Terai uses the natural ash of various hardwoods to achieve a subtle textured matte glow which is unique to each piece.

Yoko Terai (b...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Well proportioned and exceptionally light in the hand, this lovely tea bowl features a stylized depiction of a horse in stride in what appears to be a brown ferrous glaze on a background of ash glaze (灰油 hai-yu). A creation of Kyoto potter Kimura Moriyasu, this is a difficult style to perform, with results dependent on how the clay and glazes interact when exposed to the specific firing condition in the kiln.

The youngest of three brothers famed for their potting skill...