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 : Pre 2000 item #1487194 (stock #MC602)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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Ripples cover the archaic surface of this flattened vessel by Sakata Jinnai enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hakudeisai Hajomon Henko (White Clay Wave Patterned Henko) It is 11 x 23 x 32 cm (4 x 9 x 13 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Sakata Jinnai was born in Tokyo in 1943, and began as an apprentice under the legendary Kamoda Shoji in 1964, establishing his first kiln in 1966. His work was selected for display at the Nihon Dento Kogei Shinsaku Ten (National Traditional New Crafts Exhibition) in 1969, and the following year the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten (National Traditional Crafts Exhibition). In 1971 his work could be seen at the first Nihon Togeiten National Ceramics Exhibition. This event would tour the United States and Canada as well. Two years later he would be seen there again, and this time the show would tour South America. In 1977 he would move away from the competitive world of mass exhibitions and focus more on private galleries. He was the first artist selected for display at the newly opened Takashimaya Gallery in New York in 1993. Work by him is held in the collection of the British Museum, Rockefeller Foundation, Sakuma Museum, Waseda Universty Museum, as well as some of Japans holiest sites such as Ise Shrine, Izumo Shrine, Takachiho Shrine, Yakushiji in Nara and both Kodaiji and Enryakuji Temples in Kyoto. Not limited to clay, he also works in painting, Washi hand made paper (from 1995), and glass (from 2000).
All Items : Artists : Lacquer : Contemporary item #1484146
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A wine glass with design of undulating colored ribbons in colored lacquer, gold and mother of pearl designed by Okada Yuji at his Shiun studio enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is roughly 8 cm (3-1/4 inches) diameter, 21 cm (8-1/4 inches) tall and in perfect condition.
This is not dishwasher safe
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1481234
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A sculptural form covered in iconic Iga Kiln effects by Toyosaki Nobuhiko of the Korin-kiln in Mie prefecture enclosed in the original signed wooden box. On the convex shoulder, green glass pools crystalline, while a smattering of goma (sesame) ash clings to the bulbous side, gray charring and plenty of flying ash to fill in the blanks. It is 25 cm (10 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Born in 1955, he graduated Kyoto’s Ritsumeikan University department of Science and Engineering in 1980 before enrolling in the Seto Ceramic Research Facility. In 1982 he moved to Toki City where he apprenticed under the Iga master Kishimoto Kennin. In 1988 he returned to his hometown, establishing his own kiln that same year. He has remained focused on private venues and the intimacy of the private exhibition.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Vases : Pre 1970 item #1388915 (stock #1263)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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An amorphic vessel covered in organic green by Sodeisha member Kumakura Junkichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box dated the 20th day of April 1970. It is 10 inches (25 cm) tall and in excellent condition. A major retrospective of his life work was held this summer at the Shigaraki Togeinomori Museum. Kumakura Junkichi (1920-1985) began working in ceramics in the 1940s, his works submitted to innumerable National and International Exhibitions including the Japan Art Festival, New York and the international Arts and Crafts Exhibition in Florence Italy. He also submitted to the Brussels World Exposition and helped design murals for the World Exposition Osaka. At the International Ceramics Exhibition, Prague in 1962 he took a silver prize. He was also often exhibited and is in the permanent collection of the Japanese National Museum of Modern Art as well as the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto. Along with Suzuki Osamu, Hikaru Yamada and Yagi Kazuo, Junkichi was one of the founding members of the influential Sodeisha (Crawling Through Mud Association), a group of revolutionary post war ceramic artists whose influence remains strong today.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Vases : Pre 1970 item #1388429 (stock #1156)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A trio of sculptural forms by Takano Moto-o dating from the formative years of modern Japanese crafts at the height of Sodeisha influence in the 1960s. These are being offered as a group for one price. One is distorted, like an apparition, or the world seen through an old pane of glass. The second is like a flute licking back; both in pure white. The third is a square basin with handles decorated with a geometric pattern. The piece on the left in the group photograph is 10 inches (26 cm) tall and comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box All three are in excellent condition.
Takano Moto-o was born into a Kyoto pottery family in 1934, and although trained as a potter of tea ceramics, moved into the world of sculpture, entering Sodeisha in 1966, and would exhibit with the avant garde association until 1983 as well as the National Ceramic Exhibition (Nihon Togeiten). He was selected for the “Contemporary Ceramic Art” exhibition which toured Canada, U.S.A., Mexico and Japan in 1972. Since his work has been exhibited in North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, and various countries in Europe. He focuses on sculptural pursuits, filling the time between with tableware.
All Items : Artists : Glass : Pre 2000 item #1482617
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A small powerful work in clear glass covered in spiraling silver foil with a lid of opaque black by Ogawa Kaoru enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Ruri Koro. The piece is supported on three feet which seem to drip like black honey from the bottom while the same black crowns the six-sided form, rising in flutes to the finial. It is 13 cm (just over 5 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Okawa Kaoru was born in Niigata in 1940 and graduated the design department of prestigious Tokyo Musashino Art School in 1964. A pioneering glass artist, works were exhibited in Europe and throughout Japan in the 1980s and 90s, receiving top prize at the first Tohoku Glass Art Exhibition in 1990 and again Top Prize at the 1st National Glass Art Exhibition in 1991. The artis then took a position as head of design for Hokuyo Glass in Aomori, famous for Tsugaru Vidoro Glass.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1446767 (stock #1740)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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Rare aubergine colors underlies the foggy surface of this beautiful deep bowl by Murakoshi Takuma enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Take-hai-yu chawan (bamboo ash glaze chawan). From his most recent firing, he has only a small amount of this Bamboo ash, and when it is gone, that is all. Slightly out of round, it is 12 to 13.5 cm diameter, 9 cm tall.
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 : Vases : Contemporary item #1445495 (stock #1732)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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Rivulets of ash dribble down the red earth sides of this vase by Nishiura Takeshi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Echizen Henko. Positioning in the kiln, with one shoulder angled toward the flame, ensure the lip and one rounded corner are charred in that distinct ocher inidicative of the region. Elsewhere the ash is molten green. A great example of this lesser known ancient kiln site. The vessel is 18 x 13 x 17.5 cm (7-1/2 x 5 x 7-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Nishiura Takeshi was born in Fukui prefecture in 1941, and graduated the Law Depratment of the prestigious Tokyo University in 1965. A decade later, he did an about face and began to follow the path of the potter establishing his first kiln in Echizen in 1975. Later he created a traditional Ana-gama kiln in 1982, where he works with his wife Nakazawa Yoko. He has concentrated on private exhibition, and is one of the few contemporary potters (and my personal favorite) making waves in the world of Echizen.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Vases : Contemporary item #1424185 (stock #1497)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A bottle decorated with biblical passages by Araki Takako fired at the kiln of Uchida Koichi enclosed in the original wooden box signed by KOichi. It is the introduction of Mary from the book of Luke. The slender bottle itself is very much in the style and color of Koichi, and one might venture to say he had a hand in its making. The biblical passage is the obvious work of Takako, and on bottom is engraved her signature. The vase is 23 cm (9 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Araki Takako (1921-2004) was born daughter of a Zen priest in Nishinomiya, Hyogo prefecture between the cities of Osaka and Kobe. Araki devoted herself to the family profession of flower arranging until 1952 when she began to study painting. From 1960 to 1961 she studied sculpting in New York before returning to Japan where she studied ceramics at Kyoto Municipal Polytechnique School (today’s Kyoto Municipal Institute of Industrial Technology), and then in different pottery centers. Her reputation for sculptural ceramics was established in 1979 when she received the grand prize at the Nihon Tôgei Ten National Ceramics Exhibition as well as internationally the silver prize and Grand Prize at Faenza International Ceramic Competition, Italy. In 1996 she was awarded the JCS Gold prize, arguably the most important award for a potter, by the Japan Ceramics Society. Her work is held in the Art Gallery of New South Wales (Australia). For more see Soaring Voices-Contemporary Japanese Women Ceramic Artists, 2007.
Uchida Koichi is a ceramic genius bornin Nagoya in 1969. He travelled extensively to various ceramic centers around the world, surveying environments, techniques and the overall culture of pottery before setting up his own studio in Mie in 1992. He eschews the world of competitive exhibition in favor of the intimate world and direct contact of the private gallery. This has not inhibited his reputation, and at the very young age of 34 was held a solo exhibition of his oeuvre at the Paramita Museum. He has also been exhibited internationally in Australia, China, England, India, Italy, Korea, New York, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam among others. For more see New Forms New Voices (New Orleans Museum of Art, 2017).
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1475791 (stock #MT015)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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This is the earliest piece in our current exhibition highlighting the work of Masatomo Toi. A bit more aggressive and grungy than the growingly refined works he is creating today. This is like studded leather over a sex pistols T-shirt, and reflects the angst and aggressiveness of the artist when we first met him as a student at the ceramics research facility in Gifu. It is roughly 25 cm (10 inches) tall and in perfect condition. There is a rough edge to one of the pools of glaze at the foot, where it had adhered to the kiln floor, and had to be forcibly removed. It comes directly from the artist with a signed and titled wooden box as well as an exhibition catalog.
Masatomo Toi was born in Aichi Prefecture in 1992, and graduated the Design course at the Tajimi Ceramics Research Facility in 2019. Since he has been developing his series of “Thorny” vessels and objects. At the same time he has been studying the way of tea and other traditional arts such as flower arrangement, and his use of negative space is masterful. His works have been featured in a number of group and juried exhibitions. He will soon depart Japan for a year of study and experimentation abroad, and we expect great things in his future.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1490137 (stock #MC188)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A playful Oribe style basin for Bonsai trees by Sugitani Keizo refecting the shapes of his Silent Shadows Series in the design. It is 19 x 19 x 6.5 cm (just less than 8 inches square) and is in excellent condition, directly from the artist. A signed wooden box will be ordered from Keizo upon sale.
Sugitani Keizo was born in Osaka in 1959. In 1982 he graduated the Ceramic Art Institute of the Tekisui Museum of Art. He has selected for a number of group exhibitions including the International Ceramics Competition Mino and the Asahi Art exhibition, where he has been awarded. He has been exhibited at some of Japns top galleries as well as London, Art Miami, Maastricht, New York, Taipei and Shanghai among others.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Vases : Contemporary item #1401612 (stock #1325)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A charred sake flask turned on a wheel then paddled flat by Isezaki Jun enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Bizen Tokkuri. It is 12 cm (5 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Isezaki Jun was born the second son to the prominent Bizen family of Isezaki Yozan. With his older brother Mitsuru he studied the plastic arts under the fierce tutelage of his father. He has displayed consistently at the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten (National Japanese Crafts Exhibition) since 1961 and was recipient of the coveted Kaneshige Toyo prize. It was Jun who took up the work of Kaneshige Toyo upon his death, continuing to revitalize and innovate, combining functional forms and modern sculptural shapes. He was the teacher of a host of important artists including Kakurezaki Ryuichi, Wakimoto Hiroyuki and American artists Donna Gilliss among dozens of others. He was named a Living National Treasure (Juyo Mukei Bunkazai or Intangible cultural property) in 2004.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Vases : Contemporary item #1402225 (stock #972)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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Ash forms enigmatic shapes on this exquisite cocoon shaped wall vase by Yamada Jozan IV enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 8 cm (3 inches) diameter, 6 inches(16 cm) tall and in excellent condition.
Yamada Jozan IV was born into the house of third generation Living National Treasure Yamada Minoru in 1954. He graduated the Tokoname High Ceramics Course in 1973, before entering Osaka University of art. Disappointed with the university scene he left to work under his father, creating a climbing kiln, whereupon he began working with various forms, not only the famous teapots forwhich his family was known, but also ash glazed ware such as this piece. He succeeded the family name of Jozan in 2006 upon the death of his father.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Porcelain : Contemporary item #1453152 (stock #1432)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A large deep bowl decorated in abstract underglaze blue imagery by Shibata Ryozo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Sometsuke Hachi and dating cica 1995. It is 28 cm (11 inches) diameter, 14 cm (5-1/2 inches) deep and 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 : Porcelain : Pre 2000 item #1369626 (stock #1174)
A small celadon box by in the shape of an elephane by Akiyama Yo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Zo Kogo. Kogo are used to carry Shaped Incense. It is 2 x 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 inches (6 x 5 x 6.5 cm) and is in excellent condition.
Akiyama Yo was born in Yamaguchi, home of Hagi pottery) in 1953, but went to Kyoto to study at the Kyoto Municipal University of Arts in 1976. He has an impressive list of exhibitions both domestic and abroad. He was recipient of the prestigious JCS (Japan Ceramics Society) award in 1996 as well as the coveted Tanabe Art Museum Contemporary Forms in Tea Prize in 2006 among many others. Work by him is held in the Victoria Albert Museum, Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Minneapolis Institute of Art, National Museum of Modern Art and Municipal Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto, Portland Museum, Museum of Modern Art in Shiga, Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the Art Gallery of South Australia among many others..
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1461582 (stock #1906)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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Today I would like to introduce another talented potter living outside of the traditional potting centers. This is a beautiful Nezumi Shino (Gray Shino) chawan by Sagae Eimei, and comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box. This has an immediacy which speaks of our era, yet is based firmly in the pottery of the Momoyama period. It is 12.5 cm (5 inches) diameter, 9.5 cm (3 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Sagae Eimei was born in Yamagata prefecture in 1949. Upon graduation from high school, he moved immediately to Gifu, where he studied Mino ware under Kato Kobei and future living National Treasure Kato Kozo. In 1970 he went to Africa for two years, before establishing his first kiln in the Hachioji district of rural Tokyo. In 1975 he moved to Shizuoka, and from there specialized in Shino ware for half a century, working to the revival of Momoyama era tea ware.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Contemporary item #1489920 (stock #MC690)
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A fabulous Kutsugata Chawan by Matsuo Takaaki enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigarai Shizen-yu Yohen Chawan. Rising from a round base to an elongated rim, it has been blasted by the inferno on one side, the molten ash circling about to form a Zen circle where it had been supported on its side in the kiln. At the narrowest part of the rim it has adhered to something else in the kiln, causing a break which has been filled with gold by the artist. In addition gold completes the Zen circle on the side, and glimmers like morning dew on the foot. A true masterpiece by this veteran artist. It is 14.5 x10.5 cm (5-1/2 x 4-1/8 inches) at the rim, 8.5cm(3-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Matsuo Takaaki was born in Yokohama in 1938. He began studies under Tsuji Seimei at Renkoji in 1960 where he trained for over 15 years. He became independent in 1975 and built a climbing kiln in Tama. Since he has been exhibited with the Issuikai but mainly focuses on the intimacy of private exhibitions.
All Items : Artists : Ceramics : Pottery : Pre 2000 item #1474426
Modern Japanese Ceramics
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A bowl deeply impressed with Jomon rope designs by Living National Treasure Shimaoka Tasuzo enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 7.5 (3 inches) tall, 13.5 cm (5-1/4 inches) diameter.
Shimaoka Tatsuzo (1919-2007) was born in Tokyo and enrolled in the Tokyo Kogei Daigaku Ceramics division in 1939. The following year he would meet Mashiko Mingei potter Hamada Shoji, and the course of his life was thought set, graduating in 1941. However he was drafted in 1942, and sent to Burma where he would remain until repatriation after the cessation of hostilities. In 1946 Tatsuzo apprenticed under Hamada who encouraged him to find his own voice, which he did when in 1950 took part in research into ancient Jomon potteries with Shirasaki Shunji, which would have a profound influence on his style. Working with Jomon rope patterns, Tatsuzo set out to create a style unique to himself, establishing his own kiln in 1954. Widely exhibited, awarded and influential in his lifetime, he received the Japan Ceramic Society Gold award in 1994, one of the highest honors for a Japanese ceramic artist, and was designated a Living National Treasure (Juyo Mukei Bunkazai or Ningenkokuho) in 1996 culminating with receiving the Order of the Rising Sun in 1999.