~ Japanese fine art from the ancient city of Kyoto ~

A Master Work - Hayashi Shōtarō (b. 1947)

A stunning work of Shino-ware by veteran potter Hayashi Shotaro—winner of numerous awards for his bold and innovative style and widely recognized as one of the

An e-Karatsu Mizusashi - Nakagawa Jinenbo (1953-2011)

Like many pottery traditions in Japan, Karatsu takes its name from the city where it originated. As early as the 15th century, Korean potters heavily influenced

An Inlaid Clay Vase / Mizusashi - Nishida Shinya (b. 1955)

Japanese inlay ceramics (zōgan) are created by making incisions on the surface of a clay body which are then filled with various colored clays, creating a patte

A Modern Bizen Lidded Jar by Yokoyama Naoki

Traditional Japanese art tends to be timeless and inspiring in form, however, occasionally lacking in diversity and innovation. That is why artists who can inco

A Mizusashi by Hachizan Takatori XI

Over 400 years ago the first Takatori potter known as “Hachizan” was brought to Japan by the powerful Kuroda clan and was tasked with establishing a kiln in the

A Dragon kōgō (Incense Caddy) - Suwa Sozan II (1890-1977)

An often overlooked implement in tea ceremony, here we have the humble kogo (incense box) with an image of a sleek and flowing dragon. Commonly thought to repre

An Iga-yaki Vase by Nagatani Yasuhiro

A beautifully crafted vase from a studio potter in the hills of Iga, a few hours drive east of Kyoto. Iga-ware has quite a long history—by some accounts dating

Neriage Tsubo - Matsui Kōsei (1927-2003)

Master of a very difficult technique from the Chinese Tang Dynasty (618 - 907) known in Japanese as Neriage, the potter who created this elegant vase uses extre

A Large Serving Tray - Ōhi Toshio Chōzaemon XI (b. 1958)

This large serving tray by Ōhi Chōzaemon XI (Toshio) brings together the rich glaze tradition of Ōhi ware and a distinctly contemporary sculptural form. Its bro

A Large Blue/ Green Oribe Platter - Tamaoki Yasuo (b. 1941)

A stunning example of blue/ green Oribe-ware by one of the veterans of Mino ceramics, this platter displays astounding variation in color and texture with deep

A Large Karatsu Floral Vase by Nakazato Tarōemon the 14th

In Japan, famous for its generational potting families, only a handful have made it all the way through to the 14th generation—the Nakazato line being one of th

An Iga “Torigata” Vase - Furutani Michio (1946-2000)

In excellent condition, this bird-shaped, or “torigata” vase is a beautiful example of Iga pottery from last century. A master of form, material, and technique,

A Set of Four Sculptural Oribe Dishes - Takauchi Shūgō (b. 1937)

Few contemporary potters have explored Oribe with the originality and energy of Takauchi Shugo. His pieces tend to embody an unmistakable sense of movement and

A Modern Oribe Serving Dish - Takauchi Shūgō (b. 1937)

A harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary artistic expression, this extraordinary serving dish encapsulates the essence of Oribe pottery

A Large Oribe Platter - Suzuki Osamu (b. 1934)

Displaying a bold Oribe glaze and sweeping comb pattern culminating in a dynamic vortex, this wonderful platter is the result of years of trial and error by one

A “Konoha” Leaf Adorned Black Vase

A technique most commonly seen in Tenmoku tea bowls, “konoha” is accomplished by applying a coating to an actual leaf and then attaching the leaf to the surface

A Green Oribe Vase - Tamaoki Yasuo (b. 1941)

As can be seen from the attached images, especially beautiful in natural light; this charming vase features contoured ridges encircling the exterior while rivul

A Bronze Flower Vase by Living National Treasure Takahashi Keiten

The style of this vase, known in Japanese as karakane (“kara” meaning Chinese and “kane” meaning copper), has been carried on by Japanese craftsmen since its th

Lacquer and Gold Painted Natsume Tea Caddy by Kawase Hyōkan

Exquisitely painted willow branches (yanagi) on a background of jet-black traditional lacquer; this exquisite functional art object appeals not only to practiti

A Modern Shino Kataguchi Vessel by Suzuki Shū

A decidedly modern and innovative take on the classic Shino trope, this “kataguchi” or one-sided pouring vessel lends an air of depth, contemplation, and brilli

Living National Treasure — Exhibition Piece - Uozumi Iraku III (b. 1937)

First presented at the Ishikawa Traditional Crafts Exhibition, this fine mizusashi crafted with extraordinary precision is a testament to the generational knowl

A ko-Seto Mizusashi with Black Lacquer Lid (Tea Master Item)

Seto is a pottery tradition established in the 12th century with the aim of reproducing fine Chinese porcelain and tenmoku-style tea bowls—which were hard to co

Stylized Sake Flask - Suzuki Gorō (b. 1941)

Known for his non-conformist and bold style, Suzuki Goro has outdone himself with this stylized Oribe sake flask (tokkuri). Oribe is a visual style named after

Tokkuri with Ensō - Katō Kōzō (1935-2023)

This depiction of the eternal “ensō” on a backdrop of pearly white feldspar over red clay signifies enlightenment, the eternal, the nothingness, and the freedom

A Tokkuri with Ensō - Tsujimura Yui (b. 1975)

With an uncanny ability to emulate features of the natural environment, the creator of this sake vessel,Tsujimura Yui, is one of Japan’s most skilled potters wo

Porcelain Vase by Miura Chikusen (1854 – 1915)

This Meiji period vase is made of fine white porcelain fashioned after classic Chinese pieces from the Song Dynasty. The potter, first generation Miura Chikusen

A Large Celadon Phoenix vase - Suwa Sozan I (1851-1922)

A rare and interesting offering, here we have an exquisite celadon phoenix vase with Chinese form and patterning. First generation Sozan gained wide acclaim in

A Muromachi Period Ash Glazed Large Bizen Pot - Certified

Estimated to be 500-600 years old, this extraordinary work of Bizen pottery would have been fashioned in an “ana-gama” or a rudimentary dugout kiln often placed

An Edo Period Bizen Vase with Researcher Certification

Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this mid-Edo period vase embodies simplicity, beauty, and understated elegance. Its unassuming form showcases the natur

A 17th Century e-Karatsu “Mukozuke” Serving Dish

A stylized grass motif painted in ferrous pigment across each side and on the inside of this mukozuke serving dish marks it as being more likely produced in Kar

An Antique Mugiwara Decorative Flower Vase

Japanese Mugiwara pottery emerged in the Mino region of Japan during the Momoyama period in the late 16th century. It is renowned for its distinctive straw-rope

An Ancient Korean Celadon Vase with Gold Repairs

Several years ago we were invited by our very talented kintsugi craftsman to what is known as a “kura-ake” or storehouse opening. Many reading this may be famil

An Oni Shino ko-Tsubo - Tsukigata Nahiko (1923-2006)

This small vessel, similar in a shape to a tokkuri, is a fine example of Oni Shino (carbon trap and natural ash glazing) that Tsukigata is so well-known for. Co

A set of Mukozuke Serving Dishes by 3rd Generation Kenzan, 18th C.

One family of artists that has left a lasting mark on not just Kyoto but on the world at large has been the Ōgata family. Prominent among this line - Ōgata Kenz

A Momoyama Period Bizen Vase with Researcher Certification

During Japan's Momoyama period, spanning from the late 16th to the early 17th century, Bizen pottery flourished, producing exquisite pieces such as this symmetr

An Edo Period Oribe Vase with Stylized Grass Motif

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 Celadon Vase - Inoue Ryōsai III (1888-1971)

A student of Itaya Hazan, one of the most sought after potters in the world of Japanese art, the ceramicist who crafted this fine vase displays here a high degr

Lacquer and Gold Painted Natsume Tea Caddy by Wakashima Takao

Exquisitely painted cherry blossoms (sakura) and willow branches (yanagi) on a background of jet-black traditional lacquer. The craftsman, Wakashima Takao (b. 1

An Edo Period Bizen Tokkuri with Hotei Engraving - Researcher Piece

Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this Edo period vase features an engraving of the jolly gift-giver, Hotei. Said to be based on a historical Chinese Zen

A Rare Meiji Period Celadon Shuhai - Suwa Sozan I (1851-1922)

A rare and unusual offering, here we have an exquisite celadon shuhai with Chinese styled patterning lining the inside of the cup. First generation Sozan gained

A Meiji Period “Tetsubin” Cast Iron Kettle with Cherry Blossom Motif

During the Meiji period in Japan, the humble iron kettle, known as a "tetsubin," emerged as an iconic symbol of traditional craftsmanship and functional artistr

A Large Bizen Vase from Mid-Edo with Researcher Certification

Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this mid-Edo period vase embodies simplicity, beauty, and understated elegance. Originally crafted as a tokkuri, or sak

A Meticulously Repaired Momoyama Period Sake Cup

The perfect vessel for enjoying fine Japanese sake or whatever spirit fits the mood. Over 425 years old, this excavated and wonderfully restored sake cup is one

A Tokoname Sake Flask - Yamada Jōzan III (1924-2005)

Tokoname pottery has a rich history that dates back over a thousand years. Originating in the town of Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, this pottery traditio

A “Gin-sai” Silver Glazed Sake Cup (Guinomi) - Yanagihara Mutsuo (b. 1934)

With awards too numerous to mention, Yanagihara (b. 1934) is still producing masterpieces into his 9th decade. The piece seen here is from a series he did in th

An Elegant Tea Bowl with “Rice Porcelain Glaze” - Wakao Kei (b. 1967)

According to Kei Wakao, the artist who crafted this extraordinary work, it took him years of trial-and-error to perfect the unique rice-porcelain glaze covering

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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 “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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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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Bizen Tea Bowl - Isezaki Jun (1936-2026)

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

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