~ Japanese fine art from the ancient city of Kyoto ~

An Excellent Edo Period Korean “Ido” Tea Bowl — Collector Piece

A very interesting chawan (tea bowl) dating from the Korean Joseon period (Richō in Japanese; 1392-1897). This particular piece appears to be from the 17th or 1

A Black Raku Tea Bowl by Ito Tozan

Crafted by one of the most well-known potting families from the Meiji period (Ito Tozan), this black Raku tea bowl displays a glossy sheen and gentle swells rip

A Feldspar Striped Edo Period Oribe Tea Bowl

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

An Eye-Catching Red “Gong-yu” Tenmoku Tea Bowl

On the base of this tea bowl are the characters “供御” pronounced “Ku-go” in Japanese but “Gong-yu” in the original Chinese—translating in English to something li

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

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 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

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 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

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

An Edo Period Seto-guro Mino Tea Bowl

Living in Kyoto it is not uncommon to come across beautiful antique tea bowls, however, finding pieces that are in good condition, aesthetically compelling, and

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

A Joseon Period Bowl with Excellent Kintsugi Gold Repairs

Here we see a beautiful example of Korean blue-grey pottery from centuries past. At some point it was brought to Japan, so we can safely assume that it was expr

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

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 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

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 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

An Antique Karatsu Bowl with Exceptional Makie Kintsugi Repairs

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

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

A Porcelain Vase - Wakao Kei (b. 1967)

Wakao Kei continues to surprise and captivate with this turquoise blue porcelain vase from his recent offerings. Using deep, rich colors not often seen in this

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A Rice Porcelain Vase - 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 Modern Vase - Sakata Jinnai (b. 1943)

A very versatile and innovative artist, Sakata Jinnai produces pieces such as the vase seen here in his easily recognizable trademark style. Many of his pieces

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A Small Flower Vase with Gold Repairs - Nakazato Takashi (b. 1937)

Takashi Nakazato is a celebrated Japanese ceramic artist whose family's mastery of pottery now spans 14 generations. Born in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture in 1937, N

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A Shigaraki Uzukumaru Vase - Sugimoto Sadamitsu (b. 1935)

A beautiful example of Shigaraki pottery—the result of techniques perfected over centuries by dedicated artisans residing in the provinces east of Kyoto. This p

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A Ridged Bizen Vase - 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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