Very Rare Antique Pottery Bowl with Kenzan Signature made by Kiyomizu Shichibei (1818–1891). Shichibei Kiyomizu was born in Kyoto in 1818 as the eldest son Takejiro of the second generation Rokubei Kiyomizu (1790-1860). Instead of taking over the family title, he founded his own kiln by 1839 with the name Kiyomizu Shichibei. It is not clear what was the reason behind that but it is known that Takejiro was a heavy drinker and was not allowed to use the same family name. His works are ofte...

I find this piece captivating, the golden thorns rupturing the rough and blank matte white clay. When I asked the artist about his concept, he explained the clay body is the individual formed by self-image, societal pressure, ego, all the things which constrict our actions and channel our emotions. The thorns are the true inner self bursting out of the surface, irrepressible, they pierce the shell and shine like the sun...

Fantastic Bizen Sangiri stoneware vase made by Jun Isezaki (b. 1936).

Sangiri is the Bizen technique when the vessel is partially buried in sand in the kiln. The exposed area turns blackish because the ashes that cover it retards oxidation...

Isezaki Mitsuru (1934-2011) Elegant Bizen Pottery Vase Isezaki Mitsuru was born in 1934 in the well-known family of Bizen potters. His younger brother Isezaki Jun (b.1936) is the Living National Treasure since 2004. Mr...

Motoyama Izumi (b. 1938) Bizen Sake Bottle Tokkuri This Bizen stoneware sake bottle is made with natural ash glaze. The works of Motoyama Izumi are held in Brooklyn Museum in New York. Bizen pottery was originally produced in Imbe village of Bizen province since Kamakura period of 14th century. Size Height 12cm Diameter 8.5cm Condition : Very good condition, no chips, no cracks. Supplied with original signed wooden box.

Meiji period (1868-1912) Antique Japanese Pink Raku Ware Tea Bowl Chawan with Poetry. The bowl bears Ryosen mark which can be attributed to Ryōsen-ji Buddhist temple in the city of Shimoda, Japan...

Iron laced with tinges of blue decorates the rim, flowing into the bowl of these five abalone shaped dishes from 19th century Takatori in central Kyushu enclosed in a beautiful age darkened kiri-wood box titled Awabi Mukozuke Go Kyaku Takatori Yaki (Five Abalone Shaped Dishes from Takatori). Each is roughly 9.5 x 12.5 cm (4 x 5 inches) and each bears the “Taka” stamp beneath. No post-firing damage...

A sculpture of assembled ceramic shards by Yorigami Munemi in mottled moon colors enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Recreations, Futatsu no Hankyu Tai (Two hemispheres). It is 28 cm (11 inches) diameter, 10 cm (4 inches) tall and in fine condition.
Yorigami Munemi was born in Kyoto in 1944, but went to Tokyo to study gardening at the Tokyo University of Agriculture, graduating in 1967...

A collection of six unique antique sake cups from various regions in Japan, each enclosed in an old wooden box.
1. A rice bale shaped Kosobe yaki bowl in thin bluish-white glaze stamped on the base, probably second or third generation (see below).
2. A Soma Yaki small bowl of pinched form with speckled green glaze from Fukushima. Soma Yaki has a four-hundred-year history.
3...

Wild chrysanthemum rise along a brief poem on the cream-colored sides of these Tokkuri by Seifu Yohei enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seizan Sakabin. They are 15 cm (just under six inches) tall and in excellent condition. There is a pre-firing imperfection in the rim of one of the Tokkuri.
Seifu Yohei I (1803-1861) founded the Seifu dynasty in Kyoto. He was born in powerful Kaga-kuni, modern day Kanazawa prefecture...

A peacock stands among abstract patterns, drying fish, birds and geometrics on this large dish by Ito Hokuto with Shiori and Shifuku enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Yusai Iro-e Kin Gin Sai Hakkaku Zara (Silver, Gold and Colored Glaze 8-Sided Dish). It is 42 cm (16-1/2 inches) across and in excellent condition.
Ito Hokuto was born in the Nakano ward of Tokyo in 1961, and grew up in a prolific time which defined modern Japan and Japanese pop culture...

A small Japanese Satsuma koro with a pierced metal cover by an unknown maker, late 19th century. The vase is decorated with the Imperial chrysanthemum crest and three family crests, including the Paulownia of the Toyotomi clan, the Hollyhock leaves of the Tokugawa shoguns and the cross of the Shimazu clan who ruled over Satsuma, Ōsumi and Hyūga.

At the top corners can be found quarter-flower heads delicately painted in red and gold. Each mon is finely detailed...

An attractive globular Satsuma vase by Hosai, late 19th century. The vase is decorated with three family crests, including the Paulownia of the Toyotomi clan, the Hollyhock leaves of the Tokugawa shoguns and the cross of the Shimazu clan who ruled over Satsuma, Ōsumi and Hyūga...

A wonderful early work by Hara Kiyoshi awarded at the 1962 Nihon Dento Kogeiten Traditional Crafts Exhibition enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Ume-mon Hachi (Plum Patterned Basin). It is covered in a foamy blue-white glaze, the body sculpted like the five petals of a plum blossom. The dish is 43.5 cm (17 inches) diameter and is in excellent condition. It comes with the original catalog (published on page 1) as well as the original gold award label. This is a very rare opport...

Rare Antique Japanese Kashiki Bowl for used ceremony of Meiji Period made by Rokubei Kiyomizu IV (1848-1920). The seal of the potter is stamped on the bottom. Rokubei Kiyomizu IV belongs to one of the most influential Kiyomizu family of potters. He was born in 1848 as the eldest son of Rokubei Kiyomizu III. He got his family title and the name Rokubei IV in 1883 when he joined the Toyukai artists’ association. He co-established the Kyoto Ceramic Research Institute in 1895. Rokubei IV re...

Made by Living National Treasure, Fujiwara Yu (1932-2001), this Bizen Hidasuki sake bottle was made about 50 years ago. Yu Fujiwara, one of the most well-known Bizen potters of his time, has become the fourth Bizen Living National Treasure in 1996. There are only five people having such title for Bizen pottery and his father, Kei Fujiwara, became the second Bizen Living National Treasure in 1970. Prior to that, Fujiwara Yu was designated as an Intangible Cultural Property of his native Okayam...

I have seen a lot of work over the last quarter century by Kawai Kanjiro, and among it all, this is an absolute stunner. 'Museum quality' as a quote gets thrown around a lot, but I do not use it lightly. The form, the clarity of the white, the crispness of the lines of color and his obvious deft touch. It ranks among the top ten percent I have seen by this important artist without a doubt. The vessel is 19 x 12.5 x 16.5 cm (7-1/2 x 5 x 6-1/2 inches) and is in excellent condition, enclosed in...

Isezaki Mitsuru (1934-2011) Bizen Pottery Hidasuki Flower Vase with Signed Box Isezaki Mitsuru was born in 1934 in the well-known family of Bizen potters. His younger brother Isezaki Jun (b.1936) is the Living National Treasure since 2004. Mr. Isezaki holds the Intangible Cultural Property title since 1998. Bizen ware was originally produced in Imbe village of Bizen province since Kamakura period of 14th century. Size Width 22cm Diameter 13cm Condition Good, no chips, no cracks....