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 last 35 years. Using a self-built large climbing kiln measuring 53 meters—one of the largest of its kind—he utilizes a number of interesting techniques including mixing different types of clay into one work to produce pieces like the mizusashi (fresh water jar) shown here...

A Chinese style celadon incense burner by one of the 5 Imperial Court Artists of Meiji. Sozan spent his life perfecting techniques for celadon production first used in the Souther Song Dynasty as evidenced here with his powdery blue “kinuta” glaze. The bottom of the vessel is unglazed showing the fine porcelain clay and the adjacent glazed foot bears his Imperial Court Artist seal...

This finely crafted tripod incense burner is one of several often-employed motifs used by renowned Meiji/ Taisho ceramic artist Suwa Sozan I. With a design borrowed from ancient Chinese porcelain production, this piece displays horizontal bands on a field of luminous light-blue—contrasting nicely with the lid which is a dark varnished wood.

Suwa Sozan (1852—1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture...

This nikuchi, or seal paste box, was created by one of the very few Imperial Court Artists of late Meiji and bears an attractive and subtle design etched on the cover. Seal paste boxes are used to hold the red ink paste used for endorsing official documents and works of art by way of an in-kan (official seal)...

This peach-shaped kogo (incense box) is made of fine kinuta celadon from one of the great masters of the Meiji era—Suwa Sozan. A classic design, the peach is said to represent long-life for mortals and immortality for the gods in asian folklore. According to legend, the moon goddess—a powerful alchemist—can make an elixir from peaches that grow in the garden of the western paradise with miraculous revitalizing properties...

Considered auspicious symbols of wealth, status, and good fortune; foo dogs—commonly referred to as shishi or koma-inu in Japan—are often seen in pairs guarding shrines, straddling the doorways of shops, and protecting public buildings. Here we have a fierce guardian adorning an incense cady (kogo)...

One of only five Imperial Court Artists of Meiji, ceramic pieces by Kōzan are highly prized by collectors and are ever more difficult to find on the market these days. Here we have a fantastic example of a guardian shishi from the Kōzan kiln crafted in fine celadon...

A wonderful translucent blue celadon Tobi vase done in the classic style of Longquan Chinese pottery. This piece was made by one of the few great female Japanese potters of the previous century—Suwa Sozan II, daughter of Meiji Imperial Court Artist Sozan I.

Suwa Sozan I (1852—1922) was born in an area of what is known today as Ishikawa prefecture. After a short stint in the military he took up pottery design and painting under Touda Tokuji in 1873...

A student of Itaya Hazan, one of the most sought after potters in the world of Japanese art, the ceramicist who crafted this fine vase displays here a high degree of mastery, both in form and glazing technique. For the collector who has always wanted a Hazan but has never been lucky enough to chance upon one, this may be a worthy acquisition...

A Chinese Yue Celadon Glazed Chicken-Head Ewer. Circa, 220-589, Six Dynasties. This jar features a compressed globular body with a short neck that flares to a thick upper flange which is slightly depressed in the center. Opposite its thick curved handle is a chicken-head spout. Two lug handles set on its shoulders and is covered with a green celadon glaze. Its base is unglazed exposing a compact grey stoneware clay. Found in the Philippines...

Looking something akin to dragon skin with gilded beads glistening between the scales, this recent creation by young artist Hiramatsu Ryoma demonstrates his creative imagination and challenges the traditional boundaries of what defines a guinomi (Saké cup)...

Looking something akin to dragon skin with gilded beads glistening between the scales, this recent creation by young artist Hiramatsu Ryoma demonstrates his creative imagination and challenges the traditional boundaries of what defines a guinomi (Saké cup)...

Additional Exhibition Photos for Seifu Yohei III, IV works at The Cleveland Museum of Art. July 2017 thru January 2018. (Please note: all exhibiting items are not for sale.)

Additional photo for Tama Yahi Mizusashi Bowl by Goutaro Inoue w/Tomobako

Additional Photos for Fine Japanese Ko Imari Bowl with Noshi Designs

Additional photos for Fine Japanese Porcelain Vase by Nakamura Toko IV w/tomobako

Additional photos for #1341977 Japanese Kyo-Satsuma Covered Jar 19c

Additional Photos for Oribe Hina Dolls w/Tomobako