Modern Japanese Ceramics Pottery Contemporary
By Appointment is best. You might get lucky just popping by, but a great deal of the month I am out visiting artists or scouring up new items, so days in the gallery are limited.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1488416 (stock #MC175)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A set of five dishes which my staff creams over by Yamaguchi Michie enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Momo Mame Sara. These live up to the word Kawaii so profound in contemporary Japanese pop culture. Each is roughly 15.5 x 17.5 cm (6 x 7 inches) ad all are in excellent condition, directly from the artist.
Yamaguchi Michie was born in Aichi prefecture in 1964, and came to pottery at the age of 35, opening her studio in Nagoya in 2003. She first exhibited with the Nitten National Art Exhibition in 2008. In 2009 she was accepted into the Nihon Togeiten National Ceramic exhibition, where she has been subsequently awarded. That same year she was recipient of the Shorei-sho prize at the Kobe Biennale, and she entered for the first time the Womans Association of Ceramic Artists (WACA) Exhibition, receiving the T-shi prize. In 2011 she would be awarded at the Kikuchi Biennale, the 45th Female Artist Exhibition, as well as the Nihon Shin Kogeiten National New Crafts Exhibition. She would also first enter the International Ceramics Festival in Mino. 2012 saw her work awarded at the Mino Togei Shorokusho Chawan Ten Tea Bowl exhibition as well as the Mino Togei Ceramic Exhibition. In 2014 she was prized at the Hagi Taisho-ten show. She was awarded again in 2017 at the 43rd Mino Togeiten, and Governors prize at the 54th WACA Exhibition in 2020. In 2021 she was awarded the 43rd Nihon Shin Kogeiten New Crafts Exhibition, as well as the Kasama Togei Taishou Ten and in 2022 at the Tobi Ceramic Art Society of Japan Exhibition. She has taken part in ceramic events in Europe and Korea, and her work is held in the Toshin Ceramic Museum.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1489295 (stock #MC609)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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a ghostly bowl in the shape of a curled leaf, a wash of thin black accentuating the folds in the hadn formed clay by Shigemori Yoko enclosed in a wooden box titled Happa-bachi (Leaf Bowl). It is slab formed, one of her favorite methods, covered in black then washed down revealing the clay under a thin fog of black, which has remained in the crevices. It measures 15 x 19 x 9.5 cm (6 x 7-1/2 x just under 4 inches) and is in excellent condition, directly from the artist’s family, the box signed inside by her brother Naoki.
Shigemori Yoko (1953-2021) was born in Kagoshima. Yoko came to Kyoto where she initially studied painting at the Kyoto Tankidai Art College, then moved to ceramics at the Kyoto Municipal Art University where she studied traditional pottery techniques under Kondo Yutaka before entering advanced courses under avant-garde Yagi Kazuo, graduating in 1979. Her first solo exhibitions were held while still a student at Gallery Iteza in Kyoto. She eschewed the world of competitive exhibitions in favor of the intimacy of private galleries, and her list of solo exhibitions is expansive. She received the Yagi Kazuo prize in 1986 and 1988 at the Nihon Gendai Togeiten National Modern Ceramics Exhibition. She was one of five artists featured in Toh, volume 76, the first issue dedicated to Kyoto potters. Toh was, at the time
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1489720
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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Energetic strokes of black decorate this small flower vase by Shigemori Yoko, perfect for a single red Camellia flower. I love the fact you can clearly see her fingers pushing back the glaze along the base. It is 12.5 cm (5 inches) tall, the same diameter, enclosed in a signed wooden box titled Kotsubo.
Shigemori Yoko (1953-2021) was born in Kagoshima. Yoko came to Kyoto where she initially studied painting at the Kyoto Tankidai Art College, then moved to ceramics at the Kyoto Municipal Art University where she studied traditional pottery techniques under Kondo Yutaka before entering advanced courses under avant-garde Yagi Kazuo, graduating in 1979. Her first solo exhibitions were held while still a student at Gallery Iteza in Kyoto. She eschewed the world of competitive exhibitions in favor of the intimacy of private galleries, and her list of solo exhibitions is expansive. She received the Yagi Kazuo prize in 1986 and 1988 at the Nihon Gendai Togeiten National Modern Ceramics Exhibition. She was one of five artists featured in Toh, volume 76, the first issue dedicated to Kyoto potters. Toh was, at the time
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1489939 (stock #MC684)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A perfect example of the more refined side of Iga pottery by is represented by this large chawan by Tanimoto Yo enclosed in the original singed wooden box titled Iga Chawan. It is 14 cm (5-1/2 inches) diameter, 8.5 cm (3-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Born in 1958 the son of Iga potter Tanimoto Kosei, Yo was raised among the kilns and has always had his hands in clay. He first began exhibiting in 1982, and in 1984 moved to Europe where he studied oil painting and sculpture (in Spain), and set up a pottery studio outside Paris. After returning to Japan he set up his own studio in 1988, working both in Japan and Spain. Since his works have been exhibited widely, both domestically and abroad in New York, London, Barcelona and Paris.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1444034 (stock #1714)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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Colors of the four seasons splash and mingle like a bright and textured tempest on this handled sake server (correctly called Te-tsuki Kata-kuchi) by Murakoshi Takuma enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shunju Shuchu. The handle is offset to the spout, which at first seems counterintuitive, but works out perfect when pouring. Our man Takuma has done his share of research into the ways of drinking (he prefers shochu these days), and this understanding and unusual approach explains why his shows, mostly made up of pottery for use, quite often sell out to restaurants and izakaya, cementing his legendary status in that market. This katakuchi is in no way mild mannered, measuring 19 x 14 x 15 cm (7-1/2 x 5-1/2 x 6 inches) and is in excellent condition, from the artist this spring.
Murakoshi Takuma is one of those enigmas who simply lives to work with clay. He does not seek to make a living through pottery, but through his primal approach has earned a following which keeps his work in high demand. He was born in Aichi prefecture in 1954 and began his stroll down the pottery path in 1980 under the tutelage of Kyoto potter Umehara Takehira. Favoring very rough Shigaraki glaze, he established his own kiln in 1997 in the Kiyomizu pottery district of Kyoto, then moved to Nagaoka in 2002. Although eschewing the world of competitive exhibitions, he has been picked up by many of Japan’s preeminent galleries, including private exhibitions at the prestigious Kuroda Toen of Tokyo’s Ginza District.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Bowls : Contemporary item #1473155 (stock #MC220)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A joyful yellow light seems to shine like a jewel from within the fissures of this cool tea bowl by Kitagawa Kazuki enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kasane iro-me Chawan. It is 12 cm (4-3/4 inches) diameter, 8 cm (3 inches) tall and in excellent condition from the artist this autumn. This artist works by creating the body with subsequent applications of variously colored liquid clay, then scoring away the surface to create patterns by revealing the various layers.
Kitagawa Kazuki was born in Kyoto in 1991, and graduated Seika University Design department in 2014 before entering the Tajimi City Ceramics Research Facility, graduating there in 2016. He currently lives and works in Tajimi.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1490136 (stock #MC713)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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The cloth textured surface seems to glow warm like the promise of warm days to come, cherries blossoming wide on this sake set by Ito Motohiko enclosed in the original signed wooden boxes. The Guinomi is 7.5cm (3 inches) diameter 3.5cm (1-1/2 inches) tall. The Tokkuri is 9.5cm (just less than 4 inches) diameter, 14.5cm (just less than 6 inches) tall and both are in excellent condition.
Ito Motohiko is a famous Kasama potter, best known for his nunome pattern and exceptional designs. Motohiko was born in Fukuoka prefecture, 1939, and graduated the Tokyo University of Art in 1964, then moved on to advanced courses there, finishing in 1966. While at University he studied under Kato Hajime and Fujimoto Yoshimichi. It was in 1967 his first piece was accepted into the 6th Modern National Crafts Exhibition, and the next year would be spent working under to-be-Living National Treasure Matsui Kosei. His list of prizes and exhibitions is much too long to reproduce, but since 1967, he has Exhibited with the Nihon Dento Kogeiten, Nihon Dento Kogei Shinsaku Ten, Dento Kogei Musashino Ten, Tanabe Museum Modern Tea Forms Exhibition, been the subject of an NHK Television documentary, and participated in a ridiculous number of private exhibits at many of Japans top venues, and has been purchased by the Heisei Emperor in person as well as receiving the Shijuho-sho prize from his majesty.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Bowls : Pre 2000 item #1445509 (stock #1733)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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Red Hidasuki lines of straw on austere Bizen clay by the master of that genre Isezaki Mitsuru enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Perfectly turned bowl representing this important artists style. 13 cm (5 inches) diameter, 7 cm (2-3/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Isezaki Mitsuru (1934-2010) was born to a family of potters, his father Yozan and younger brother Jun both very important in Bizen pottery. In 1998 Mitsuru was named a Prefectural Intangible Cultural Property for Okayama (the prefectural version of a living National Treasure, likely more important as it is truly based on the artists contributions rather than heredity). He has innumerable exhibitions, including the Nihon Togei-Ten (National Ceramics Exhibition) Nihon Dento Kogei-Ten (National Traditional Crafts Exhibition) and Gendai Togei Ten (Modern Japanese Ceramics Exhibition). In fact his first piece exhibited with the First National Ceramic Exhibition was selected for display in a show which went around the globe. Recipient of the Kaneshige Toyo prize as well as purchased by the Japanese Foreign service as gift to foreign dignitaries. His Hidasuki was considered to be of the highest grade since the Momoyama period.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1431002 (stock #1569)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A deep, perfectly formed bowl covered in plates of various colors, the signature style of Mukoyama Fumiya enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kyo-mon Chawan (Border Pattern Teabowl). One of three in stock, each with unique designs, it is 13 cm (5 inches) diameter, 7.5 cm (3 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Mukoyama Fumiya was born in Tokyo in 1960, graduating the Kyoto Ceramic Research institute before apprenticing in Hagi under 15th generation Sakakura Shinbei in 1984. He spent time in Shiga before settling in Mashiko in 1990, establishing his own kiln in 1993. The following year his work was collected by the Imperial Household Agency. He has been exhibited and or awarded at the National Craft Exhibition, National Traditional New Craft Exhibition, and Mashiko Pottery Exhibition among others.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Vases : Contemporary item #1475068 (stock #MC087)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A beautiful bamboo shaped vessel of pale gray glaze by Takahashi Samon enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Konabiki Hanaire. It is 28 cm (11 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Takahashi Samon (b. 1948) first studied with Kato Kobei V and Living National Treasure Kato Takuo. He then entered the Gifu Prefectural Ceramic Institute to study kiln making before going to the Kamakura kiln of Kitaoji Rosanjin for further study. He established his own kiln in 1977. Unaffiliated, he relies on solo and group exhibitions to show his creations. He is held in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Porcelain : Pre 2000 item #1415491 (stock #1431)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A deep oblong bowl decorated in abstract underglaze blue imagery with flashes of red by Shibata Ryozo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Sometsuke Aka-e Hachi dating circa 1995. It is 17 x 19.5 x 6.5 cm (6-1/2 x 7-1/2 x 3 inches) an is in excellent condition.
Shibata Ryozo (b. 1952) completed advanced studies at the Kyoto Municipal University of Arts in 1978 (his work was purchased by the university the previous year for its permanent collection). In 1993 he first exhibited with the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten National Traditional Crafts Association, and in 94 was awarded at the Izushi Porcelain Trienial in Hyogo. After that he concentrated more on the Kansai area, and has been awarded at the Kyoto Bijutsu Kogeiten (97), Kyoto Kogei Bijutsu Sakka Kyokai Ten (98), Seto Sometsuke Exhibition (99) and Osaka Crafts Exhibition on multiple occasions. He has been a guest speaker at the University of Michigan in 2005, and artist in residence in Campbell Australia in 2006. Just this year his work was selected for exhibition in Boston at the Society of Arts and Crafts. In 2014 his work was collected by the Imperial household agency, and he is held in the collections of Kyoto City and Toyooka City Museums among others.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1423973 (stock #1494)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A Guinomi and Tokkuri by Murakoshi Takuma enclosed in their respective original signed wooden boxes complete with Shiori and Shifuku. The deep well shaped cup rises vertically from the flat base, a dollop of hand crushed foamy feldspar glaze (this one he makes himself) clinging to the rim. The bottle is tall with a smattering of the same yellow green ash on one side, the opposite marked with distinct red hi-iro flame color. The Tokkuri is 16.5 cm (6-1/2 inches) tall, the cup 7.5 cm (3 inches) diameter and both are in new condition.
Murakoshi Takuma is one of those enigmas who simply lives to work with clay. He does not seek to make a living through pottery, but through his primal approach has earned a following which keeps his work in high demand. He was born in Aichi prefecture in 1954 and began his stroll down the pottery path in 1980 under the tutelage of Kyoto potter Umehara Takehira. Favoring very rough Shigaraki glaze, he established his own kiln in 1997 in the Kiyomizu pottery district of Kyoto, then moved to Nagaoka in 2002. Although eschewing the world of competitive exhibitions, he has been picked up by many of Japan’s preeminent galleries, including private exhibitions at the prestigious Kuroda Toen of Tokyo’s Ginza District.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Porcelain : Contemporary item #1445625 (stock #1529)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A riot of spring flowers in minute detail covers this dainty tea cup by Kawada Satomi enclosed in the original wooden box titled Hanazukushi-wan, and signed Kutani Satomi. The cup is 7.5 cm (3 inches) diameter, 6.5 cm (2-1/2 inches) tall and is in excellent condition. There are two types of Kutani overglazes, one like watercolor, opaque and vivid, the other like translucent glass. During the Meiji period when massive western demand brought about a thriving export market, the former was popular. However, in the later 20th century and more recently artists have been drawn to the latter. Like her mentor Nakamura Toshito, Kawada Satomi picks up where the Meiji tradition left off, but with a much more modern sensibility. Her work is delicate, extravagant, and peppered with unusual tones of blue and lavender. She graduated the Nagoya Design Institute in 1998, working as an illustrator. She enrolled at the Ishikawa Prefectural Kutani Research Facility, graduating in 2005, and entered the Nihon Kogeikai and followed with an apprenticeship under Nakamura Toshito. She was designated a Traditional Craftsperson in 2017.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Porcelain : Contemporary item #1449846 (stock #1778)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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This young guy’s stuff is very chic; a sake set by Kato Yoshiyasu in purest white and darkest black, everything a dialog between shadow and form. Here the artist has used a combination of his repertoire. The cup is pure white dipped into black, the black then chiseled away in divots creating a beautiful pattern for the eyes and texture for fingers. The Ozabu (Pillow shaped Daiza saucer) is a flattened ball, dimpled to receive the cup, then pierced with various sized holes. Alongside standing sentry the bent silhouette of the Tokkuri, a dark belt between pierced white: an eggshell coming apart. The cup is petite, perfect for a summer sipping reishu cold sake, the rim folded in to trap the delicate aroma. The UFO shaped Daiza (saucer) is 9 cm (3-1/2 inches) diameter and the Tokkuri is 16.5 cm (6-1/2 inches) tall. All are in excellent condition, enclosed in their respective signed boxes, directly from the artist this summer.
Kato Yoshiyasu was born in Aichi prefecture in 1985, and graduated the Kurashiki Kogei Crafts School design department in 2008. He then went on to study at the Tajimi Ceramics Research Facility, finishing there in 2014. He moved to Nshio city in 2018, where he set up a studio and works today while raising a cute little baby with his wife.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Contemporary item #1454003 (stock #1830)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A quintessential work showing the decorative aesthetic of Ichino Masahiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Senmon Tokkuri (Lined Vessel). Sunset colors fade to dark about the rim, vertical lines like shooting stars. It is 12 cm (5 inches) tall and in excellent condition, complete with the original Shiori and Shifuku .
The youngest winner ever at the 13th National Ceramic Exhibition (Nihon Togeiten), Ichino Hiroyuki is a powerhouse in Tamba, bringing that long forgotten corner of Japan’s ceramic realm back into the limelight. He was born in Sasayama, heart of Tamba, in 1961, and studied in Kyoto under Imai Masayuki, and under his father Ichino Shinsui. He established his own kiln in 1988, and in 1995 caught the worlds attention with his work “Kai” at the 13th Nihon Togeiten. In 99 his work was selected for the Japanese Ceramic Exhibition Tour sponsored by the Japan Foundation, and that was the first of many overseas exhibits featuring his work. In 2006 he received the JCS award (Japan Ceramic Society prize), one of the most coveted in Japan, and in 2009 received the grand prize at the Tanabe Museum Modern forms in Tea Exhibition. He is held in the collection of the V&A, New Orleans Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, Tanabe Museum and Japan Foundation among many others.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1463295 (stock #1931)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A quintessential work showing the decorative aesthetic of Ichino Masahiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Senmon Tokkuri. It is 13.3 cm (just over 5 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
The youngest winner ever at the 13th National Ceramic Exhibition (Nihon Togeiten), Ichino Hiroyuki is a powerhouse in Tamba, bringing that long forgotten corner of Japan’s ceramic realm back into the limelight. He was born in Sasayama, heart of Tamba, in 1961, and studied in Kyoto under Imai Masayuki, and under his father Ichino Shinsui. He established his own kiln in 1988, and in 1995 caught the worlds attention with his work “Kai” at the 13th Nihon Togeiten. In 99 his work was selected for the Japanese Ceramic Exhibition Tour sponsored by the Japan Foundation, and that was the first of many overseas exhibits featuring his work. In 2006 he received the JCS award (Japan Ceramic Society prize), one of the most coveted in Japan, and in 2009 received the grand prize at the Tanabe Museum Modern forms in Tea Exhibition. He is held in the collection of the V&A, New Orleans Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, Tanabe Museum and Japan Foundation among many others.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1479632 (stock #FT32)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
sold, thank you
A slightly smaller Tsutsu-gata (Cylinder shaped) Chawan made for outdoor use by Furutani Taketoshi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Shizen-yu Tabi Chawan. A Tabi-chawan, literally Travel Tea Bowl, is usually slightly smaller, made to be carried and used out of doors or in a setting other than one’s own abode. An incredible landscape plays across the surface, calling to mind moss covered rocks, flowing water, silhouetted hills and the twilit sky. The rim shows a hint of shinshoku, or flame degradation, under the coating of ash, a coveted effect born from the inferno. This one is 9.5 cm diameter, 9cm (roughly 3-3/4 inches) and in excellent condition, directly from the artist.
Furutani Taketoshi was born the son of master craftsman Furutani Hirofumi in 1974, graduating the Shigaraki Industrial High School Ceramics department in 1992 before entering the Shiga prefectural Ceramics Research Facility where he learned first Small Rokuro wheel technique, graduating the following year. In 1993 he would find himself under the tutelage of Suzuki Iwau before re-entering for a second course at the Research Facility, graduating in 1995. From then he returned to the family kiln where he learned in the time-honored tradition from both his grandfather Churoku I and father Hirofumi (Churokuk II). In 2013 he was named a Dento Kogeishi Traditional Craftsman. Since he has exhibited consistently at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Subverting the self, he makes simple, organic pots which have a timeless quality. As well he dares new forms and challenges the clay with innovative techniques, coercing from the pliable earth challenging incarnations very much rooted in the now, yet still paying homage to the traditions passed down through the ages.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1490405 (stock #MC534)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
sold, thank you
Liquid Green ash seems to overflow the rim of this heavily potted Iga vase by Iga star Kojima Kenji enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Iga Mimitsuki Hanaire. The term Mimi refers to ears, usually a pair of lug like handles opposing each other on a pot. Here the ears have been elongated, more like lobes of some ancient sage, and become one with the wide flange of the base. Otherwise the mouth is modulating, the body cut and whacked with random symbols and pallet scars. It is 29.5 cm (11-3/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Kojima Kenji was born in Aichi Prefecture in 1953 and graduated from the Tokoname Ceramic Vocational High School in 1971. In 1973 he spent a year in Iga before moving to Bizen for a five year apprenticeship with Konishi Tozo. He returned to Iga in 1979 and built an anagama. He has exhibited with the Nihon Togeiten National Ceramic Exhibition, Asahi Togeiten Ceramic Art Exhibition and Chunichi International Ceramic Exhibition as well as an impressive list of solo exhibitions in some of Japan’s top galleries.