~ Japanese fine art from the ancient city of Kyoto ~

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 Wataru Motomura

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 by Renowned Potter Ohi Chozaemon IX

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 by Sozan Kaneshige

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 Koho (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 Fumiaki Kaihatsu

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 by Raku IX (Ryônyû) [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

SOLD

A Mizusashi by Tsuboshima Dohei

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

SOLD

A unique Hagi mizusashi by Zenzo Hatano

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

SOLD

A Red “Ame” Glazed Mizusashi by 11th Generation Ōhi Chozaemon

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

SOLD

A Bizen Mizusashi for Tea Ceremony by Veteran Potter Mori Tōgaku

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

SOLD

Tsukigata Nahiko Mizusashi w/ Silk Pouch

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

SOLD

A Hagi Mizusashi by Tahara Tobei XII (Urasenke Tea Master Item)

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

SOLD

A Master Work by 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

SOLD

A Chashaku by Tea Master Tantan-sai (Poetic Name: Kamigaki)

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

SOLD

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

SOLD

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,

SOLD

A Nezumi Shino Tea Bowl by Wakao Toshisada

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

SOLD

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

SOLD

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

SOLD

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

SOLD

Red Lacquered Flower Vase by Chikuunsai Tanabe III

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

SOLD

A Bizen Tea Bowl by Isezaki Koichiro

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

SOLD

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.

SOLD

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

SOLD

A Rare Tamamizu Tea Bowl by Famed Raku Potter 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

SOLD

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

SOLD

A Red Raku Tea Bowl w/ Painted Chrysanthemum by Raku Konyu (12)

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

SOLD

A “Rose Oribe” Masterpiece by Suzuki Goro

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

SOLD

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

SOLD

A Beautiful Hakeme Bowl by Ninnami Dohachi (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

SOLD

A Poem Inscribed Tea Bowl by 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

SOLD

An Iron Chagama Crafted by Living National Treasure Takahashi Keiten

Chagama are traditional Japanese iron kettles used in tea ceremony (chanoyu) for boiling water. Their design tends to reflect the aesthetic principles of wabi-s

SOLD

A Lacquer “Chōshi” Sake Warmer by Kado Isaburō

A very modern and sleek interpretation of the classic lacquer sake warmer otherwise known as a “chōshi” in Japanese. The author of this piece, Kado Isaburō, was

SOLD

Bizen Tea Bowl by Living National Treasure, Isezaki Jun

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

SOLD

A White Shino Masterpiece by Hayashi Shotaro (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

SOLD

An Asahi-yaki Tea Bowl with Extraordinary Maki-e Gold Repairs

One of the most extraordinary gold repairs I have seen on a tea bowl in my nearly 30 years in Japan. If you search far and wide occasionally you can find maki-e

SOLD

An Antique Celadon Tea Container with Pewter Cap

Most likely Chinese in origin, this antique celadon tea caddy is a mesmerizing piece of art that exudes elegance and sophistication. Crafted during a time when

SOLD

An exceptional Tenmoku tea bowl with Yohen glazing

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

SOLD

A Beautiful Antique Koryo Vessel with Inlay and Kintsugi

The gray-blue celadon displays finely crackled glazing with areas slightly darkened by time. A faint pattern made of white inlay can be seen along the upper rim

SOLD

Haito Chawan with Gold Decoration by Sato Kazuhiko

An ancient technique known as “haito” in Japanese was used to give this piece its distinctive look. Thought to have originated in neolithic times and commonly u

SOLD

A Porcelain Chawan with Gold-leaf by Ono Hakuko

This eye-catching porcelain composition covered in red-glaze and highlighted with sensational gold-leaf inlay is an iconic design often employed by Ono Hakuko.

SOLD

An Iconic Hakeme Tea Bowl by Raku XI (Keinyu)

This exceptional tea bowl was crafted by one of the great masters of Japanese pottery and given the poetic name “Nami” (wave) by a famous tea master of the Ura-

SOLD