~ Japanese fine art from the ancient city of Kyoto ~

An Edo Period Oribe Tea Bowl with Green Glaze

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 the bodies of the

A Black Raku “Kazuin” Tea Bowl by Higaki Soroku

The term “Raku” was once reserved for a style of pottery produced by a specific household in Kyoto that began over 450 years ago. Over the years, as it gained p

A Richo Era Kōrai Tea Bowl with Gold Repairs

At various times over the long history of tea practice in Japan, Korean-ware has come into high fashion and ships full of the finest ceramics from the neighbori

An Ido-shaped Hagi-yaki Tea Bowl - Hatano Zenzō (b. 1942)

Simple yet classic styling—this tea bowl is perfect for anyone looking for the quintessential Ido-shaped chawan crafted by one of Japan’s master Hagi potters. B

Black Raku Tsutsu Tea Bowl by Sasaki Shoraku

Tsutsu-shaped chawan have a unique and especially attractive shape. They are used mainly in the depths of winter to keep in the heat, and prevent the tea from c

An Antique Shino Tsutsu Tea Bowl

This lovely Shino tea bowl fashioned from coarse Mino clay is covered in feldspar glazing, has a classic ferrous abstract painting across the front, and shows n

A Shigaraki Tea Bowl by Motomura Wataru

The artist who produced this piece, Wataru Motomura, prides himself in living a traditional life in the eastern hills of Kyoto—long known for its rich clay and

A Black Raku "December" Tea Bowl - Ōhi Chōzaemon IX (1901-1986)

When the founder of the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Senso Soshitsu (1622 -1697) was invited to Kanazawa as the lord of the tea ceremony for the powerful Kag

Exceptional Bizen Tea Bowl with Kaiyu Glaze - Kaneshige Sozan (1909-1995)

The distinctive and easily recognizable style of Bizen pieces, such as the one featured here, originated in Okayama (south-western Japan) and has a long history

A Woven Bamboo Flower Vase by Kajiwara Kōhō (b.1935)

Japanese bamboo crafting, known as "Takezaiku," is a traditional art form that involves the skilled manipulation of bamboo to create various functional and deco

A Hagi Tea Bowl by 7th Generation Kaneta Sanzaemon

Father to internationally known Hagi potter Kaneta Masanao (the 8th generation Sanzaemon potter), though he never achieved the same level of notoriety as his so

An Antique Kyo-ware Tea Bowl Attributed to Ninsei

A beautiful old Kyo-ware tea bowl slightly elongated on one end producing an interesting and unique effect. The collector who furnished the box labeled it as be

An Edo Period Karatsu Tea Bowl with Gold Repairs

This kutsu-shaped (shoe-shaped) Karatsu tea bow, having stood quietly through the passage of ages is a superb example embodying both the serene beauty and power

A Shino Tea Bowl (maker and era unkown)

Occasionally while browsing through the temple markets of Kyoto or perusing backstreets tea-ware shops, an attractive piece will catch my eye for no particular

A Black Raku Tea Bowl by Kaihatsu Fumiaki

A beautiful example of Ohi inspired Raku-ware; the body of this stylish tea vessel is a mix of a dark black gradating to charcoal grey with undertones of reddis

Unique Edo Period Hagi Tea Bowl with Gold Repairs

This tall and lovely Hagi chawan rests firmly on a wari kodai or “split foot” pedestal that is unglazed—displaying the coarse rich clay. The crackled milky glaz

A Patterned Bowl from the Shinragi Kiln

Being based in Kyoto we occasionally come across fine Chinese and Korean tea-ware to mix in with our Japanese offerings. Here we have an example of a ceremonial

An “Imogashira” Mizusashi - Raku Ryōnyū IX (1756-1834)

Raku-ware carries with it a very naturalistic aura; with its implements made of raw clay, its use of fire water and air to shape and harden these implements, an

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A Mizusashi - Tsuboshima Dōhei (1929-2013)

A truly unique work of Shino pottery developed among the company of some of Japan’s most respected and influential potters of the last century. Defying conventi

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A unique Hagi mizusashi - Hatano Zenzō (b. 1942)

An excellent example of Japanese minimalist aesthetic that transcends its humble origins, this mizusashi, or fresh water pot used in tea ceremony, displays a cl

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A Red “Ame” Glazed Mizusashi - Ōhi Toshio Chōzaemon XI (b. 1958)

When the founder of the Urasenke style of tea ceremony, Sen-So Soshitsu (1622 -1697) was invited to Kanazawa as the master of tea ceremony for the powerful Kaga

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A Bizen Mizusashi for Tea Ceremony - Mori Tōgaku (b. 1937)

A veteran of Bizen pottery, Mori Tōgaku has been perfecting his style for close to seven decades now with most of his important work having been done in the las

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Mizusashi with Silk Pouch - Tsukigata Nahiko (1923-2006)

This extraordinary mizusashi is a fine example of Oni Shino (carbon trap and natural ash glazing) that Tsukigata is so well-known for. Coining the term in the m

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A Hagi Mizusashi - Tahara Tōbei XII (1925-1991)

Heavily influenced by Koryo potting styles and techniques, the Tobei lineage has been crafting exceptional tea-ware implements for 13 generations. The piece sho

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A Master Work - Murase Jihei III (b. 1957)

Carved from the trunk of a 400 year old zelcova tree, this lovely mizusashi for tea ceremony perfectly encapsulates the traditional craftsmanship surrounding Ja

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A Chashaku (Poetic Name: Kamigaki) - Tantan-sai (1893-1964)

Here we have a very unique ceremonial tea implement made by one of the most important figures from Japanese tea culture in the past century. While most tea scoo

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A Bamboo Kakehana Vase by Kuroda Shogen (Tea Master Item)

Flower arranging is one of the great arts that Japan has managed to take to ever greater heights of refinement over its long history. Here we have a classic exa

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Hishoku Nanban-yaki Tea Bowl by Sakuchi Ensen

The colors seen in this ceramic piece are not often encountered in the world of Japanese tea-ware pottery—a field dominated mainly by styles such as Raku, Hagi,

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A Nezumi Shino Tea Bowl - Wakao Toshisada (b. 1933)

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 e

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A “Karamono” Woven Bamboo Basket (Tea Master Item)

In Japan, woven baskets such as this are often referred to as “karamono” (Chinese style) to denote their stylistic origins tending towards symmetrical proportio

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An Antique “Chabako” for Carrying Tea Ceremony Utensils

Meticulously crafted from carefully woven strips of bamboo, this traditional “chabako” would typically contain all of the basic utensils for conducting tea cere

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An Excavated Mishima Tea Bowl with Maki-e Gold Repair [Tokugawa Clan]

From a 2006 excavation site in Tokyo known to be occupied by the Owari Tokugawa clan—the most senior contingent of the Tokugawa clan that united Japan under one

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Red Lacquered Flower Vase - Tanabe Chikuunsai III (1940-2014)

Done in a style reminiscent of Japanese Mingei art, this striking yet functional folk-craft piece is the creation of Chikuunsai Tanabe III. Made entirely of tra

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A 16th Century Tenmoku Tea Bowl

Before styles such as Raku, Hagi, Karatsu, etc came into fashion for use in the tearoom in early Edo, it was commonplace in cultured society to use tea-ware imp

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A Bizen Tea Bowl - Isezaki Kōichirō (b. 1974)

First born son to Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun, Koichiro (b. 1974) has quickly made a name for himself as an independent artist. Not content to rely sol

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A Black Raku Tea Bowl by “Rakuen”

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.

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A “Koyo” Tenmoku Tea Bowl with Silk Pouch by Touetsu Kiln

Before styles such as Raku, Hagi, Karatsu, etc came into fashion for use in the tearoom in early Edo, it was commonplace in cultured society to use tea-ware imp

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A Rare Tamamizu Tea Bowl - Ichigen (1662-1722)

In the world of Japanese ceramics, Tamamizu-ware has an almost mythical standing. A branch of the main Raku line, at one time the two kilns held equal prominenc

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A Raku Tea Bowl by Tamamizu Souske

In the world of Japanese ceramics, Tamamizu-ware has an almost mythical standing. A branch of the main Raku line, at one time the two kilns held equal prominenc

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A Red Raku Tea Bowl w/ Painted Chrysanthemum - Raku Kōnyū XII (1857-1932)

This iconic tea bowl was crafted by one of the great masters of Japanese pottery and given the poetic name "Dewdrop" by a famous tea master of the Omote-senke s

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A “Rose Oribe” Masterpiece - Suzuki Gorō (b. 1941)

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

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An Exceptional Raku Tea Bowl - Sugimoto Sadamitsu (b. 1935)

A master work by one of the top artisans of the late 20th century—the result of techniques perfected over centuries by dedicated craftsmen residing in districts

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Edo Period Bizen-yaki Chawan w Signed Sokuchusai Omotesenke Box

Signed by the 13th Iemoto (tea master) of Omotesenke, Sokuchusai (1901-1979) this exceptional tea bowl bears the poetic name Asahi or “Morning Sun.” Brilliant o

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A Beautiful Hakeme Bowl - Nin'ami Dōhachi (1783-1855)

A beautiful example of a Hakeme style bowl, this one quite rare as it was made around 200 years ago by the son of the founder of the Dohachi line of potters. Tr

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Kashibachi Dish (Exhibited/Published) - Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875)

This rare and interesting ceramic work was done by one of the most renowned and loved waka poets of the 19th century, Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875). In fact, if

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Raku Tea Bowl - Sanyū (Raku VI, 1685-1739)

Raku glazed ceramic. This well-shaped and firmly grounded tea bowl is the work of Sanyū—Kichizaemon VI of the Raku line of potters. Highly regarded in the tea w

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Seto-ware Chawan with Kintsugi

This lovely Ido-gata shaped chawan has very nice asymmetrical balance highlighted by extensive and skillfully applied kintsugi gold repairs. The inside bottom o

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Tea Bowl - Kawai Kanjirō (1890-1966)

Glazed stoneware. This tea bowl features intricate design work rarely seen in the bulk of Kanjirō’s pieces—likely indicating his early period. The medallion-lik

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Tea Bowl - Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875)

Sumi painting and calligraphy on ceramic. This chawan is light in the hand and contrasts beautifully with a dark rich bowl of matcha. While the poems of many of

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A Poem Inscribed Tea Bowl - Ōtagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875)

The poem etched on the side of this exceptional piece reads: 花を待つ人の心や雲となりて山の端ごとに立ちまよふらん The hearts of those waiting for flowers to blossom — have they turned in

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