Catalog: Artists: Ceramics: Porcelain (60)

A pair of exquisite fluted porcelain bottles decorated in rich color by Tokuda Yasokichi II enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Flowers in various colors, red, yellow, purple blue and green rise up between patterned undulating bands of green and blue. Each is signed on the base in a yellow seal Kutani Yasokichi. They are 15 cm tall and in perfect condition.
The Tokuda family kiln was established by the first Yasokichi (1873-1956)、born into the house of a textile dying family. As one might expect, he initially studied painting under the tutelage of the famous Araki studio. Returning to his home he became employed decorating Kutani ware under his Brother in Law, Matsumoto Sahei, at the Shoun-Do. However after a sojourn in ceramic production under Asakura Isokichi he broke away and established his own kiln where he chafed at the cheap export ware being produced and began a lifelong search for the roots of Ko-Kutani. A search for which he was honored as a Living National Treasure in 1953. Just three years later the kiln was succeeded by his son, Yasokichi II (1907-1997). Yasokichi II was adopted into the Tokuda family in 1923, and studied initially at the Kyoto National Ceramics Research Facility alongside Hamada Shoji and Kanjiro Kawai. He learned under the tutelage of Living National Treasure Tomimoto Kenkichi before devoting himself fully to the family business. He was awarded at the Brussels World Exposition, Nitten, received the Hokuto-sho prize along with many others, and was displayed in Europe and America. He took many opportunities to continue his life quest by study sabbaticals throughout Asia, North and South America and Europe and was awarded the title Ken Juyo Mukei Bunkazai (Living Prefectural Treasure). He passed the name Yasokichi on to his son in 1988. Works are held in the Imperial Household Collection and Ishikawa Prefectural Museum among many others.

A perfect example of the work of this influential artist, in a rare size which is perhaps a bit more accessible to most collectors than his usual monumental sculptures. In this case he has created it with a combination of blue and sliver dots decorating the bulbous protrusions. Signed on bottom, it is 36 x 19 x 23 cm (14 x 7-1/2 x 9 inches) and is in excellent condition, directly from the artist.
Nakashima Harumi was born in Gifu prefecture, home of a long ceramic tradition, in 1950. He studied at the Osaka University of Art and Design, graduating advanced studies there in 1973. Deeply influenced by the Avant garde Sodeisha group and specifically the work of his mentor Kumakura Junkichi, he set out not to create works that sell, but to create works which met some inner need. After several years in Shigaraki, he moved to Tajimi, near his hometown, in 1976, accepting a position at the Tajimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center where he would remain employed until becoming head of the ceramics department at the Aichi Prefectural University of Education in 2003 where he would mentor a great many young artists who are now stars in the contemporary pottery realm (Hattori Makiko, Tanaka Tomomi etc). He was recipient of the prestigious Japan Ceramics Society Award in 2010. From 2014 he has served as head of the Ishoken Ceramics Research facility. Work by him is held in the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo, 21st century Museum of Art in Kanazawa, Ibaragi Ceramic Art Museum, Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum, Museum of Modern Ceramic Art in Gifu, Victoria and Albert Museum in London, Everson Museum of Art New York, Museum of Art and Design New York, The International Museum of Ceramics in Faenza in Italy, Hetjens Museum in Germany, as well as the China Ceramic Art Center in Shangyu and Tsinghua University in Beijing, among many others.

A striking wide dish in crystal clear colors by celebrated female artist Tokuda Yasokichi IV enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Sekirei Akari (Red Light). Th inclusion of red is quite unusual for this artist. The dish is 27.5 cm (11 inches) diameter, 4.5 cm (just less than 2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Tokuda Junko (Yasokichi IV) was born the first child of future Living National Treasure Tokuda Masahiko in 1961. While on a trip to the United States in her mid-20s, the young Tokuda came across a pot from Jingdezhen, China and drew her back to the fold of the family tradition. She graduated from the Institute for Kutani in 1990 and embarked on her path as an artist. Succeeding the family name in 2010 upon the passing of her father, Junko is one of very few female heads of traditional potting family.

Playful imagery shines vibrant on this white porcelain tea bowl by female artist Takahashi Aki enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Gold Sai Chawan. It is 12 cm (5 inches) diameter, 8 cm (3 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Takahashi Aki was born in Kyoto in 1976 and graduated from Saga prefectural Arita College of Ceramics in 1999. In 2003 she was first awarded at the the 2nd Developing Young Artist Craft Competition, before going on to further study. In 2006 she completed training at the Kyoto prefectural Polytechnic School of Ceramics. She has since been selected for The Takaoka Craft Competition, then the Itami International Craft Competition as well as the Tanabe Contemporary Tea ceremony Exhibition. In 2012 her work was featured in the Kagayaki e no Shotai exhibition in Takashimaya Kyoto store, and the following year at the Japan-Korea Ceramic art Exchange (Gyeongsangbuk-do). Again in 2016 she was exhibited in the Gyeonggi Arts Center.

Burgeoning grapes in vivid gold decorate this pure white bowl by Ono Hakuko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hakuji Kinrande Chawan. It is 13.3 cm (over 5 inches) diameter, 7.2 cm (3 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
From Aichi prefecture, Ono Hakuko was trained by her father initially in the ceramic arts. However, she was most strongly influenced by the great experimentive artist Kato Hajime (1901-1968) and his work with gold. This affected her own style deeply, and it can be said that she carried on his research. She was awarded the JCS award in 1980, one of Japans most prestigious ceramics awards. In 1992 she was named an important cultural asset (Juyo mukei bunkazai) of Saga prefecture. Bucking the traditional image here is another of Japans great cultural assets who fought against a system of prejudice to rise to the top and it is an honor to be able to offer something by her. For more on this important modern artist see Touch Fire, contemporary Japanese Ceramics by Women Artists (2009)

Clouds cling to the slopes of this large ceramic container in the shape of Mt. Fuji by Matsuda Yuriko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Fujisan. It is 41.5 x 15.5 x 41.5 cm (16-1/4 x 6 x 16-1/4 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Matsuda Yuriko was born in Ashiya, Hyōgō Prefecture in 1943nd lives and works in Oshino, Yamanashi Prefecture. Yuriko is an avid exhibitor; it is a wonder she has time to do any work at all. Both within Japan (Nihon Togei Ten, Gendai Togei Ten etc.) and without she has an impressive list of exhibitions in a host of countries. She received the Yagi Kazuo prize in 1986 among many others. According to the book “Touch Fire”, Many of the women artists included in this exhibition are independent innovators who work outside the constraints of Japanese ceramic traditions. However, several of the artists, including Matsuda Yuriko, continue to use traditional techniques with skills that rival, if not exceed, those of their predecessors, and in doing so they create new and challenging contemporary ceramic art. They reinterpret the traditional decorative technique for porcelain vessels, called iro-e over-glaze enameling, and transposes its motifs onto nonfunctional objects. Her beautifully enameled iro-e porcelain sculptures are witty odes to two favorite subjects: the female body and Mount Fuji. For more information on this artist and examples of her work see the books Contemporary Japanese Ceramics, Fired with Passion by Beatrice Chang and Samuel Lurie. Also see Contemporary Clay, Japanese Ceramics for the New Century based on the Museum of Fine Arts Boston exhibition or Soaring Voices, Contemporary Japanese Women Ceramic Artists (2010). Her work is also currently on tour with the Radical Clay Exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago.

A white porcelain vessel by Sakurai Yasuko permeated with holes in a style typical of her work. It is 16 cm diameter, 8 cm tall and in excellent condition enclosed in a paper box. According to the Met: Sakurai Yasuko first studied ceramics in Kyoto, before becoming an artist in residence in Shigaraki, and then in Limoges, France. She makes perforated, unglazed, white porcelain forms that are studies in light and shadow. These forms are created around bundles of mold-cast porcelain tubes and then connected by clay and slip.
The artist is known for her challenge of light and dark, and this sculpture with its play through holes is a quintessential example of this, the light and dark accenting each other through the patterns cut into the body. Her work is held in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Shiga Prefectural Togei no Mori Museum, the International Ceramics Museum in Florence, the Paramita Museum, among many others. For more see Touch Fire, Contemporary Japanese Ceramics by Women Artists, 2009.

A large work of overlapping strips of sheer porcelain by the demanding young female artist Lu Xueyun enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The vessel is made up of overlapping strips of thin porcelain, so thin in fact that light passes easily through it. Her works are truly exquisite, captivating in their frailty. I have been following the artist (known in Japan by the Japanese reading of her name, Ro-san) for nearly 5 years and waiting for the opportunity to introduce her to the outer world. This is 29.5 x 31.5 x 19 cm (roughly 1 foot diameter x 7-3/4 inches tall) and is in excellent condition, directly from the artist
Lu Xueyun was born in Chongqing, China in 1987 and graduated the SiChuan International Studies University in 2010, before taking a position in a Chinese company overseas division. Unsatisfied with corporate life, she enrolled in the Traditional Arts Super College of Kyoto, Ceramics Course graduating in 2019, then did two years study at the Ishoken Tajimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center. While there she took part in several juried and group exhibitions, but this is the first time her works have been shown to an international audience.

A long low basin by Lu Xueyen in translucent white porcelain enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Enfolding II. It is 21.5 x 38 x 15 cm (8-1/2 x 15 x 6 inches) and is in excellent condition, directly from the artist.
I have been following the diaphanous works of Lu Xueyun (known in Japan by the Japanese reading of her name, Ro-san) for nearly 5 years and waiting for the opportunity to introduce her to the outer world.
Lu Xueyun was born in Chongqing, China in 1987 and graduated the SiChuan International Studies University in 2010, before taking a position in a Chinese company overseas division. Unsatisfied with corporate life, she enrolled in the Traditional Arts Super College of Kyoto, Ceramics Course graduating in 2019, then did two years study at the Ishoken Tajimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center. While there she took part in several juried and group exhibitions, but this is the first time her works have been shown to an international audience.

A playful bowl in vivid colors by Tokuda Junko (Tokuda Yasokichi IV) enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Kutani Chawan. It is 13cm (just over 5 inches) diameter, 8.5 cm (3-1/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Tokuda Junko (Yasokichi IV) was born the first child of future Living National Treasure Tokuda Masahiko in 1961. While on a trip to the United States in her mid-20s, the young Tokuda came across a pot from Jingdezhen, China and drew her back to the fold of the family tradition. She graduated from the Institute for Kutani in 1990 and embarked on her path as an artist. Succeeding the family name in 2010 upon the passing of her father, Junko is one of very few female heads of traditional potting family.

A gossamer work by the demanding young female artist Lu Xueyun enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Breeze 2019-I. The vessel is made up of married sheets of thin porcelain, so thin in fact that light passes easily through it. Her works are truly exquisite, captivating in their frailty. I have been following the diaphanous works of this artist (known in Japan by the Japanese reading of her name, Ro-san) for nearly 5 years and waiting for the opportunity to introduce her to the outer world. This is 21.5 x 27.5 x 13.5 cm (8-1/2 x 11 x 5-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition, directly from the artist
Lu Xueyun was born in Chongqing, China in 1987 and graduated the SiChuan International Studies University in 2010, before taking a position in a Chinese company overseas division. Unsatisfied with corporate life, she enrolled in the Traditional Arts Super College of Kyoto, Ceramics Course graduating in 2019, then did two years study at the Ishoken Tajimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center. While there she took part in several juried and group exhibitions, but this is the first time her works have been shown to an international audience.

A very unusual form of overlapping bubbles in snow white porcelain by Yatsugi Miho enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hakuji Chawan Hitoawa (A Bubble). It is 13 cm (5 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, directly from the artist.
Yatsugi Miho was born in Tokyo in 1973, and initially graduated advanced studies at the Tokyo National University of Agriculture and Technology in 1998. In 2018 she completed training at the Ibaraki Prefectural Kasama Togeidai Facility in the traditional Kasama region, then went on to the Tajimi Ceramics Research Facility. Her work has been featured at any number of private venues as well as the Joryu Togeiten Ceramics Exhibition.

A gossamer work by the demanding young female artist Lu Xueyun enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Breeze 2019-III. The vessel is made up of married sheets of thin porcelain, so thin in fact that light passes easily through it. Her works are truly exquisite, captivating in their frailty. I have been following the diaphanous works of Lu (known in Japan by the Japanese reading of her name, Ro-san) for nearly 5 years and waiting for the opportunity to introduce her to the outer world. This is 20 x 18.5 x 12 cm (12 x 7-1/2 x 5 inches) and is in excellent condition, directly from the artist
Lu Xueyun was born in Chongqing, China in 1987 and graduated the SiChuan International Studies University in 2010, before taking a position in a Chinese company overseas division. Unsatisfied with corporate life, she enrolled in the Traditional Arts Super College of Kyoto, Ceramics Course graduating in 2019, then did two years study at the Ishoken Tajimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center. While there she took part in several juried and group exhibitions, but this is the first time her works have been shown to an international audience.

A double lobed bowl perfect for serving groups or parties of pure white porcelain beautifully decorated with flowers in gosu blue and gold by Nakashima Katsuko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hana no Utsuwa (Container of Flowers). It is 40.5 x 17 x 9 cm (16 x 6-1/2 x 3 inches) and is in excellent condition. Directly from the artist.
Nakashima Katsuko graduated the Osaka School of Art and Design and first garnered attention with a silver prize at the Nihon Tojiki Ceramics Design competition in 1984. Her works have been selected for display and awarded at the Asahi Gendai Kogeiten Contemporary Craft Exhibition (awarded 1997), Mino International Ceramics Festival (Bronze award 1998) , Gyeonggi-do International Ceramics Exhibition, Korea, Gold prize in 2003 and Grand Prize at the Kobe International Ceramics Competition among a host of others.

One of three vibrant sake cups by Nakashima Katsuko enclosed in the original singed wooden box titled Hai. Always cheerful, I love sharing a joyous cup with Katsuko. It is 6.5 cm (2-1/2 inches) diameter and in excellent condition, directly from the artist.
Nakashima Katsuko graduated the Osaka School of Art and Design and first garnered attention with a silver prize at the Nihon Tojiki Ceramics Design competition in 1984. Her works have been selected for display and awarded at the Asahi Gendai Kogeiten Contemporary Craft Exhibition (awarded 1997), Mino International Ceramics Festival (Bronze award 1998) , Gyeonggi-do International Ceramics Exhibition, Korea, Gold prize in 2003 and Grand Prize at the Kobe International Ceramics Competition among a host of others.

Vibrant yellow overfills this deep plate by Living National Treasure Tokuda Masahiko (Yasokichi III) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 21cm (Just over 8 inches) diameters, 6.5cm (2-1/2 inches) tall and in perfect condition.
Tokuda Yasokichi III (Masahiko, 1933-2009) was born the first son of Tokuda Yasokichi II who had been adopted as a teenager into the Tokuda family. Masahiko graduated from the Kanazawa school of arts, and took up apprenticeship under his grandfather and father Yasokichi I & II. Well versed in orthodox Kutani design, he broke with tradition developing his own unique style titled Saiyu in the 1970s. By broadening his spectrum with this new style of Kutani ware he garnered considerable attention. In 1986, he was named a Bearer of Important Intangible Cultural Assets by Ishikawa Prefecture (local version of Living National Treasure) and a decade later was designated Living National Treasure in 1997 for his supremacy in the use of Kutani glazes. Yasokichi III, His works are held by the Polk Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, The British Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Smithsonian, the Indianapolis Museum of Art and Kanazawa Contemporary Museum of Art among many others.

An unusual brilliantly colored fresh water jar for the tea ceremony by Living National Treasure Tokuda Masahiko (Yasokichi III) enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It ocmes with the original black lacquered lid. It is 14cm (5-1/2 inches) diameter 20.5cm(8 inches) tall and in perfect condition. There are chips to the lacquer on the handle of the lid, which are currently being professionally repaired.
Tokuda Yasokichi III (Masahiko, 1933-2009) was born the first son of Tokuda Yasokichi II who had been adopted as a teenager into the Tokuda family. Masahiko graduated from the Kanazawa school of arts, and took up apprenticeship under his grandfather and father Yasokichi I & II. Well versed in orthodox Kutani design, he broke with tradition developing his own unique style titled Saiyu in the 1970s. By broadening his spectrum with this new style of Kutani ware he garnered considerable attention. In 1986, he was named a Bearer of Important Intangible Cultural Assets by Ishikawa Prefecture (local version of Living National Treasure) and a decade later was designated Living National Treasure in 1997 for his supremacy in the use of Kutani glazes. Yasokichi III, His works are held by the Polk Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, The British Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Smithsonian, the Indianapolis Museum of Art and Kanazawa Contemporary Museum of Art among many others.

9 faceted sides rise up to the circular rim forming this deep bowl enveloping a jade pool by Yoshikawa Masamichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Wan. The sides have been slabbed away forming 9 facets on 9 facets, resting on a seven sided foot. Defining each flattened surface are blue architectural lines. It is 13 cm (5 inches) diameter, 8 cm tall and in perfect condition.
Yoshikawa Masamichi was born in Kanagawa in 1946, and graduated the Japanese Design Academy in 1968. He first garnered attention in Japan being awarded at the 1971 Asahi Togeiten Ceramics Exhibition, and the following year received honorable mention at the 3rd International Biennale of Ceramic Art Vallorious France(Gold prize there in 2002). He has since received numerous prizes including Grand Prize at the Asahi Togeiten 1981, 1983 as well as the Aichi Prefectural Art and Cultur Award in 2005. Work is held in the Korea World Ceramic Center (Soul), American Craft Museum New York, Keramik Museum Germany, Brooklyn Musuem, Tokoname City Museum, V&A London among many others.