A thick glazed tokkuri and chokko cup by Koyama Kiyoko enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The Tokkuri has a playful stance, slightly cocky and leaning, as if it wants to pour. Both are covered in thick, dripping ash glaze, a product of her legendary long firings, sometimes lasting ten days. It is 5 inches (13 cm) tall and in fine condition.
Kiyoko was the subject of the film Hi-Bi (2005) and is the pioneering female wood firing artist in Japan...

Pure quiet and calm is embodied in this white Hagi crystal by important female artist Miwa Hanako enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 10-1/2 inches (27 cm) tall 5-1/2 inches (14 cm) diameter and in excellent condition.
Miwa Hanako was born the grand daughter of Living National Treasure Miwa Kyusetsu XI, daughter of Kyusetsu XII who has sought to incorporate sculpture into the realm of traditional Hagi ware. She was raised surrounded in the world of Hagi-ware...

An organic form by Ikegami Kazuo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Bitchu Obuje. It is 8-1/2 x 7-1/2 x 9 inches (21.5 x 19 x 23 cm) and is in fine condition.

Viscious ash and charring cling to the side of this spectacular Mizusashi by Konishi Heinai enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 7 inches (18 cm) tall, the same diameter and in fine condition.
Konishi Heinai (1899-1991) was born into a family of farmers in Ehime on the Island of Shikoku. In 1925 he fell head over heels in love with Raku-yaki and it was in the world of pottery he chose to leave his mark...

Kaneta Masanao's work is in major museums throughout the world. He is widely recognized as the foremost Hagi ceramic artist, and one look at this wonderful cup and saucer will tell you why. Saucer: 7 inches (18cm); Cup 3h x 4.5w inches (7.5h x 11.5w cm).

A superb sculptural work of horizontal facets stacked upon each other in twisting obelisk by Mashiko based potter Matsuzaki Ken enclosed in the original signed wooden box. This is a masterpiece by this artist. It is 17 inches (43 cm) tall, 8 x 8-1/2 inches (20 x 21 cm) and in excellent condition. An identical shape is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and published in the book “Contemporary Clay, Japanese Ceramics for the New Centruy” by Joe Earle...

Lines of burnt straw scar the surface of this voluminous work by Yamamoto Yuichi enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 17-1/2 inches (45 cm) tall, 9 x 10 inches (23 x 25.5 cm) at the base and in excellent condition.
Born the son of Living National Treasure Yamamoto Toshu, Yuichi was raised among the clay and kilns of Bizen, at a vital time when Bizen was devastated by the war economy, and the dramatic years of growth and research following...

Mid-size stoneware jar for storing tea leaves or other.
Brown stoneware with white inclusions and a green splash of natural ash glaze. Slightly widening from bottom to shoulder, with a short more or less straight neck with everting lip.

Japan, Momoyama – Edo period, 16/17th century.

Height 12 ½ inches.

Excellent condition.

A pair of unique three part tokkuri by Taniguchi Chojiro consisting of a top, which turned upside down forms the cup, a central ring on which the cup rests, and the bottle, which, when assembled, make the form of a temple bell. These are made after the infamous bell of Hokoji Temple which provided (a rather lame) excuse for Tokugawa Ieyasu to crush the Toyotomi family and claim the country for his own, therefore beginning the Tokugawa Dynasty which ruled Japan for over 250 years...

A set of 12 Kogo incense containers representing the 12 animals of the zodiac by Suwa Sozan I enclosed in the original signed wooden stacking-box. Each is roughly between 2 and 4 inches (5-10 cm). The Inoshishi (wild boar) has a small chip, otherwise all are in superb condition. In twenty years I have never seen a set like this and it certainly belongs in a museum...

Japanese Meiji period teardrop form cabinet vase covered in a rich mottled blue glaze over a brown base. The vase bears the impressed mark of Okumura Shozan (1841-1905) on the glazed base. Shozan is perhaps best known for his remarkable copies of Ninsei and Kenzan works. 19th century. 4 1/8" high (5 1/8" on the stand). Stand included. Very good overall condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. There is a tiny pin-head sized area at the foot where the glaze does not cover...

A Bizen type kogo in form of a primitively rendered reclining sage or monk. Signed on bottom. 20th century. Good condition. Length: 5 inches (12.7 cm)

A very unusual modern Japanese pottery vase. Exaggerated chatter decoration spiraling from the foot to the shoulder, the tacky clay lifted to a very coarse texture before firing. The neck to rim, also spiraling up the vase, finished smoothly. Apparently in the tradition of the stoneware tile work kilns of Bizen and Tokoname. Studio artist marks in impressed cartouches on the foot. Excellent condition. Height, 8 inches.

An unusual Bizen stoneware figural group depicting three sages with attributes in clouds in a stele formation. One with wheat and sword flanked by attendants, one also with wheat and sword and the other with a palm frond or banana leaf fan...

A Bizen stoneware figural study of Daikokuten with attributes including full face, large earlobes, smile, hat, bag of rice and mallet. Impressed signature cartouche. Good condition. Height, about 7 1/2 inches (19.05 cm). Length about 8 inches (20.32 cm).

A wily fox stands, head cocked to one side wrapped in the robes of a nun, something to be wary of this ceramic Okimono by Takahashi Dohachi enclosed in the original wooden box titled outside Dohachi Zo Hakuzoso, and signed within Kachutei Dohachi Zo followed by the artists stamp. It is 8 inches (21 cm) tall and in fine condition...

An early piece from the Mudai series by Takiguchi Kazuo enclosed in the original signed wooden box. Unlike his later works which featured stone-like glazes, this glaze is soft and crinkled on the surface, like an undersea life form. It is 15-1/2 x 8 x 10 inches (39 x 20.5 x 25 cm) and is in excellent condition. Kazuo is an exceedingly sought after Kyoto artist, one of the heirs of the original Sodeisha movement. Born in 1953, he studied economics at Doshisha Univesity while making a brief ...

Lovely set of 5 Oribe ceramic tea ceremony sweets plates (set of 10 available). This famed stoneware with the trademark olive green glazes and feldspar iron geometric glazes makes a wonderful art deco impression. C.1915 earlier Taisho Period. 8" long x 4" wide. Seal on back. Ask for shipping quote.