Catalog: Artists (841)

Thick pitted pink-white glaze tinged with burnt orange covers the torm surface of this lovely vase by Shino Legend Hayashi Shotaro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled simply Shino Tsubo. It is rouhgoy 25 cm (10 inches) diameter, 19 cm (7-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Hayashi Shotaro (b. 1947) is one of the biggest names in contemporary Mino ceramics. Although initially entering regular employment upon graduating high school, in 1967 he returned to Toki city to help his brother Kotaro. Very quickly within him was born the urge to create. He won the highest award at the Gifu Prefectural Art Exhibition in 1968, and from there his talent blossomed. He established his own kiln in 1974. Since then his list of exhibitions and awards has been amazing, including the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten (National Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition), Governors Prize and five times winner of Best of Show at the Asahi Togei Ten (Asahi Ceramics Exhibition), and Best of Show at Gifu Prefectural Exhibition. At the Mino Ceramics Exhibition, in addition to the highest award, the Mino Ceramics Award, he has received all three major awards, including the Shoroku Award and the Kobei Award.

Enjoy your afternoon tea in this fabulous deep cup covered in pitted Shino glaze by Hayashi Shotaro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled E-Shino Yunomi. It is 9.5 cm (3-3/4 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Hayashi Shotaro (b. 1947) is one of the biggest names in contemporary Mino ceramics. Although initially entering regular employment upon graduating high school, in 1967 he returned to Toki city to help his brother Kotaro. Very quickly within him was born the urge to create. He won the highest award at the Gifu Prefectural Art Exhibition in 1968, and from there his talent blossomed. He established his own kiln in 1974. Since then his list of exhibitions and awards has been amazing, including the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten (National Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition), Governors Prize and five times winner of Best of Show at the Asahi Togei Ten (Asahi Ceramics Exhibition), and Best of Show at Gifu Prefectural Exhibition. At the Mino Ceramics Exhibition, in addition to the highest award, the Mino Ceramics Award, he has received all three major awards, including the Shoroku Award and the Kobei Award.

A vibrant set of five small plates covered in mustard yellow speckled with copper green and iron by Hayashi Shotaro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Ki-Seto Meme-sara. Each is roughly 16 cm (6-1/4 inches) diameter and all are in excellent condition.
Hayashi Shotaro (b. 1947) is one of the biggest names in contemporary Mino ceramics. Although initially entering regular employment upon graduating high school, in 1967 he returned to Toki city to help his brother Kotaro. Very quickly within him was born the urge to create. He won the highest award at the Gifu Prefectural Art Exhibition in 1968, and from there his talent blossomed. He established his own kiln in 1974. Since then his list of exhibitions and awards has been amazing, including the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten (National Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition), Governors Prize and five times winner of Best of Show at the Asahi Togei Ten (Asahi Ceramics Exhibition), and Best of Show at Gifu Prefectural Exhibition. At the Mino Ceramics Exhibition, in addition to the highest award, the Mino Ceramics Award, he has received all three major awards, including the Shoroku Award and the Kobei Award.

A quashed bottle form vase by Murakasho Takuma enclosed in the original signed wooden box titeld Hai-yu Hana-ire. The unruly rough clay is heavily studded with shiseki stones and mottled with iron and rich green ash glaze. It is roughly 13 cm (5 inches) diameter, 14.5 cm (5-3/4 inches) tall and is in perfect condition, directly from the artist.
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 × is 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.

A dramatic randomly fluted celadon bowl by Kawase Shinobu enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seiji Rinka Bachi. It is 34.5 x 33.5 x 14 cm (13-3/4 x 13-1/4 x 5-1/2 inches) in excellent condition.
Kawase Shinobu was born in Oiso, Kanagawa Prefecture in 1950, heir to a family tradition of potting. His grandfather and father were Kawase Chikushun I and II respectively, masters of Chinese based ceramic styles. He began working with his father, and first came to public attention with his acceptance into the 1969 Nihon Dentō Kōgei Shinsakuten (National Traditional Crafts Exhibition for New Works). This was followed by acceptance into the 1974 Nihon Dentō Kogeiten (National Traditional Crafts Exhibition), at both of which he exhibited frequently. In 1980 he was selected for the Japan Ceramics Society Exhibition and was awarded there the following year. In 1983 his work was selected for the Japanese Ceramics Today exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. and the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. From then his works have been exhibited throughout the globe and he is regarded as Japan’s most outstanding celadon artist working with the traditions of the Tang and Song dynasties. With his exquisite technique, organic forms and pristine glazes, he has developed a unique style that is both traditional and challenging and it is this fusion of contemporary and tradition which draws droves to his art. Work is held in the Victoria and Albert Museum (London), New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, San Francisco Asian Art Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Cincinnati Art Museum, Denver Art Museum, Brooklyn, Birmingham Cleveland, New Orleans, Philadelphia and Saint Louis Museums of Art among others. There is a plethora of information available on this innovative artist, including: Japanese Ceramics Today: Masterworks from the Kikuchi Collection, (Tsuji, Tomo, Hayashiya, 1983), Modern Japanese Ceramics in American Collections (Frederick Baekeland and Robert Moes, 1993), Quiet Clarity “RIN” Beauty in Contemporary Ceramics (1996), Contemporary Clay: Japanese Ceramics for the New Century (Joe Earle, 2005), The Betsy and Robert Feinberg Collection: Japanese Ceramics for the Twenty first Century (Mintz, 2014), and or Into the Fold: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics from the Horvitz Collection (Harn Museum, 2015)

Rich reds smoke the surface of this incense burner by Hayashi Shotaro enclosed in the original singed wooden box titled Aka-Shino Koro. The over-thick daubs of white glaze tinged tangerine on the side are a hallmark of this artists work. It is roughly 12.5 cm (5 inches) diameter, 15 cm (6 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Hayashi Shotaro (b. 1947) is one of the biggest names in contemporary Mino ceramics. Although initially entering regular employment upon graduating high school, in 1967 he returned to Toki city to help his brother Kotaro. Very quickly within him was born the urge to create. He won the highest award at the Gifu Prefectural Art Exhibition in 1968, and from there his talent blossomed. He established his own kiln in 1974. Since then his list of exhibitions and awards has been amazing, including the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten (National Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition), Governors Prize and five times winner of Best of Show at the Asahi Togei Ten (Asahi Ceramics Exhibition), and Best of Show at Gifu Prefectural Exhibition. At the Mino Ceramics Exhibition, in addition to the highest award, the Mino Ceramics Award, he has received all three major awards, including the Shoroku Award and the Kobei Award.

Sakura blossom on the foggy surface of this large vessel by Hayashi Shotaro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Manyo Nezumi Shino Sakura-mon Tsubo. It is (22.5 x 30 x 28 cm ( 9 x 12 x 11 inches) and is in excellent condition.
Hayashi Shotaro (b. 1947) is one of the biggest names in contemporary Mino ceramics. Although initially entering regular employment upon graduating high school, in 1967 he returned to Toki city to help his brother Kotaro. Very quickly within him was born the urge to create. He won the highest award at the Gifu Prefectural Art Exhibition in 1968, and from there his talent blossomed. He established his own kiln in 1974. Since then his list of exhibitions and awards has been amazing, including the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten (National Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition), Governors Prize and five times winner of Best of Show at the Asahi Togei Ten (Asahi Ceramics Exhibition), and Best of Show at Gifu Prefectural Exhibition. At the Mino Ceramics Exhibition, in addition to the highest award, the Mino Ceramics Award, he has received all three major awards, including the Shoroku Award and the Kobei Award.

A large Silent Shadows Series Sculpture by Sugitani Keizo in his signature oxidized copper green glaze. It is 46.5 x 27.5 x 14.5 cm (18-1/4 x 11 x 5-3/4 inches) and is in excellent condition, directly from the artist. It is signed on the base Sugitani Keizo 210909 and comes with an artists certificate as well.
Although imbued with the rustic sheen of metal, Sugitani’s works are in fact creations in Shigaraki clay that are hand-built into interlocking forms that are almost Escher-esque in their simple complexity. After blending a base white clay, the artist begins the rigorous process of hDragonand-coiling his sculptures into the forms in his mind’s eye. After carving and smoothening the surfaces, the artist bisque-fires the work. Sugitani applies an original glaze that is rich in copper, and after a main firing in his gas-kiln, imbues his works with the distinctive patina of rusted metal. (Ceramics Now Magazine). 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.

Golden eddies glimmering with cobalt and jade flow over the dark glazed body of this small koro by Yamamoto Ichiyo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Jun Purachina-sai Ryusui (Pure Platinum Glazed, Flowing Water). The two wings are glazed in platinum. It is 11 cm (4-1/2 inches) tall and in perfect condition.
Yamamoto Ichiyo was born in Nagasaki in 1944. He began his career at an Arita Porcelain ceramic facility in 1969. In 1974 he would spend a year in Taiwan studying porcelain before returning to Japan, where he would establish his own kiln in Imari the following year. He would begin research into platinum glazing in the mid eighties, garnering awards in Paris three years running (1986, ’87, ’88) after which he would move to Takatsuki on the border between Osaka and Kyoto, where he would immerse himself in cultural studies. In 1993 he would move to Hyogo prefecture, then would begin a period where his fame would grow, while his roots in any one place did not, only returning to Imari nearly a decade later in 2001. Since his work has been exhibited throughout Japan and abroad in such places as Valencia, Los Angeles, New York and San Diego.

How much drama can be infused into one piece of pottery, lets try Murakoshi Takuma with this outstanding Tobe (Fly!) vase covered in his signature combination of Shunju glazes. It is 55 x 12.5 x 20 cm (21-1/2 x 5 x 8 inches) and is in excellent condition, directly from the artist this summer. It comes in the original signed wooden box.
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.

A mysterious carved cylinder of beautifully textured Shigaraki clay displaying HI-iro flame colors, light charring and a light dusting of flying pine ash by Fujimoto Hide enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shigaraki Tagui Enchu (Round Pilar). 13.5 cm (5-1/2 inches) diameter, 16 cm (6-1/4 inches) tall and in perfect condition, directly from the artist.
Fujimoto Hide was born in the heart of Shigaraki in 1954, and was fascinated with the medium from a very young age. He worked in several potteries and industrial positions for a decade from 1973, always furthering his understanding of firing technique and glazes, followed by a decade of firing and sculpting, culminating in establishing his own kiln in the forests of Shigaraki in 1995. His work has been picked up by many of Japan’s preeminent galleries including several private exhibitions with Kuroda Toen in Ginza, the Togei no Mori Museum in Shiga, and just recently an exhibition in Taiwan.

An organic vessel torn and hollowed from a block of clay in the Kurinuki style covered in lavender tinged white by Kaneta Masanao enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hagi Haku-yu Yohen Kurinuki Hanaire. It is 24.5 cm (just under 10 inches) tall, 18 x 15 cm (7-1/4 x 6 inches) across the base and is in excellent condition.
Kaneta Masanao (born 1953) likely needs no introduction, certainly one of Hagi’s most well known names, he has been displayed both nationally and internationally innumerable times including the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten National Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Nihon Togei Ten National Ceramics Exhibtion, Chunichi Kokusai Togeiten Ceramics Exhibition, . His pieces are in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art, Yamaguchi Prefectural Museum and Museum of Modern Art Brooklyn. Ise Shrine, home to the Japanese Gods, holds a Tea Bowl by him as well.

This vessel epitomizes the work of innovative artist Hayashi Shotaro, the misshapen vessel enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Manyosai Mimitsuki Hanaike. It is 15 x 18 cm (6 x 7 inches) at the base, 24.5 cm (just under 10 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Hayashi Shotaro (b. 1947) is one of the biggest names in contemporary Mino ceramics. Although initially entering regular employment upon graduating high school, in 1967 he returned to Toki city to help his brother Kotaro. Very quickly within him was born the urge to create. He won the highest award at the Gifu Prefectural Art Exhibition in 1968, and from there his talent blossomed. He established his own kiln in 1974. Since then his list of exhibitions and awards has been amazing, including the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten (National Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition), Governors Prize and five times winner of Best of Show at the Asahi Togei Ten (Asahi Ceramics Exhibition), and Best of Show at Gifu Prefectural Exhibition. At the Mino Ceramics Exhibition, in addition to the highest award, the Mino Ceramics Award, he has received all three major awards, including the Shoroku Award and the Kobei Award.

A green pool fills the basin of this steep sided bowl, the walls dragged by the fingers by Murakoshi Takuma enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hai-yu Chawan. Large Shiseki bubbles of white feldspar crystals burst through the surface. It is 12 x 13 x 7.5 cm (4-3/4 x 5 x 3 inches) and is in perfect condition, directly from the artist.
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.

A concave cube of white porcelain covered in crackled clear green glaze by Kato Tsubusa enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 10.5 x 11.5 x 12 cm (4 x 4-1/2 x 5 inches) and in perfect condition, directly from the artist this summer.
Kato Tsubusa was born in Tajimi city, the home of Shino, in 1962, graduating the municipal Pottery Design and Technical Center in 1979. From then to 1983 he worked as a decorator at the Otai Kiln moving out on his own in 1984. In 2007 he was selected for the Paramita Museum Ceramic Exhibition, and established his current ki;n in 2009. 2013 was an auspicious year, with him being awarded the 7th Enku Taishoten and the Japan Ceramic Society Award. He has been displayed at the Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art, The Chunichi Kokusai Togei Ten (Chunichi International Ceramics Exhibition) and The Asahi Togei Ten as well as private exhibitions overseas (New York among others). Work by him is held in the Aichi Ceramics Museum, The Art Institute of Chicago, The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, The Brooklyn Museum, The Gifu Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, the Ibaraki Ceramic art Museum, the Musee Tomo in Tokyo, the Victoria & Albert Museum among others For more on this important artist see Toh, Volume 85 (1993), which is entirely dedicated to him. Also Quiet Clarity “RIN” (1996), or Fired with passion: Contemporary Ceramics of Japan (2007).

A sculptural pair of exquisite spiraling five-sided celadon lidded bottles by Yagi Akira enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seihakuji Mentori Futamono.  Each is 10 cm (4 inches) tall and in perfect condition, directly from the artist.
Yagi Akira was born in Kyoto in 1955, son of avant garde Yagi Kazuo (1918-1979) one of the founding members of Sodeisha. Akira was voted one of the 20 most important living artists by Honoho, Japans premier printed ceramic forum. Works by the artist are held in the British Museum, Victoria Albert Museum, Cleveland Art Museum, Sackler Gallery of the Smithsonian and Tokyo Museum of Modern Art among many others. He was also the recipient of the Japan Ceramic Society (JCS) award in 1998, one in a long and prestigious list of awards. For more see “Quiet Clarity, Rin” (1996) or the aforementioned “Contemporary Clay, Japanese Ceramics for the New Century “(2005) by Joe Earle.

A beautiful small flat serving dish on raised turned foot by Murakoshi Takuma the pebble studded clay covered in emerald green ash glaze and enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hai-yu Hira-maru Ita-zara. It is 18 cm (7-1/4 inches) diameter, and stands 4.5 cm (just less than 2 inches) tall.  Perfect for cheeses fruits or other shared snacks.
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.

A dish made in the style of Totan or corrugated metal, a common building material in Japan. It is 42.5 x 18 x 3.5 cm (17 x 7 x 1-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition, directly from the artist. Fujimoto is inspired by the natural world around him, and the return to nature of the discarded and redundant remains of our civilization.
Fujimoto Hide was born in the heart of Shigaraki in 1954, and was fascinated with the medium from a very young age. He worked in several potteries and industrial positions for a decade from 1973, always furthering his understanding of firing technique and glazes, followed by a decade of firing and sculpting, culminating in establishing his own kiln in the forests of Shigaraki in 1995. His work has been picked up by many of Japan’s preeminent galleries including several private exhibitions with Kuroda Toen in Ginza, the Togei no Mori Museum in Shiga, and just recently an exhibition in Taiwan.