Tamba-yaki, with its origins reaching back as far as the end of the Heian Era or early Kamakura Period (1180-1230), is one of the six ancient pottery centers of Japan along with Seto, Tokoname, Shigaraki, Bizen, and Echizen. The pottery of Tamba is said to have an elegant simplicity and an understated beauty that stems from its calm simple lines...

Stemming from the philosophy of wabi-sabi—often described as the beauty found in the imperfection and transience of the world—cracks and repairs in a work of pottery are often seen as highlighting the history and importance of a ceramic object. Practitioners of tea in particular are fond of reminding us that works repaired with lacquer and gold such as the one featured here become more resilient and beautiful for having been damaged...

A captivating blend of traditional aesthetics and contemporary flair; with exquisite attention to detail, Goro masterfully combines the vibrant green Oribe glaze with bold geometric patterns, creating a dynamic and visually striking piece. The bowl's elegant form and balanced proportions enhance the tea-drinking experience, while the unique surface texture adds depth and tactile pleasure...

The creator of this extraordinary work, Shibuya Deishi, is best known for his works of “Oni-hagi”—typically made with rough clay and heavy dripping glazes. This piece by contrast seems delicately crafted and has a very soft and warm quality to it. The outside is covered with overlapping molded flower petals done in an almond glaze with ivory accents at the tips of each petal...

Graceful, sensitive, and with a distinctively feminine aura—this subtle work of ceramic art has an air of quiet days spent in the garden or of spending an afternoon brightening up an interior space. Using a technique known as 灰釉 (kai-yu) Terai uses the natural ash of various hardwoods to achieve a subtle textured matte glow which is unique to each piece.

Yoko Terai (b...

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 reason. When this happens, I typically buy it immediately without hesitation, trusting that I will be able to place it to a specific period or kiln given enough time and research...

A great example of a modern Shino tea bowl based on pieces being produced nearly 500 years ago in the kilns of Mino. This piece shows excellent texture to the glaze with a very active and diverse ceramic landscape. In addition, the use of a darker ferrous compound gives it a rather weighty and seasoned appearance when compared with the more commonly encountered red Shino glazes of the modern day...

A large and powerful composition displaying beads of feldspar strung across a canvas of red ferrous clay. A perfect addition for tea practitioners in need of a good Shino piece or for collectors looking for a classic and exceptional example of this type of pottery.

As the name suggests to anyone familiar with Japanese pottery, Kato Toyohisa (b. 1962) hails from a long line of Mino potters...

This impressive Shino summer tea bowl was crafted using red clay from the hills near Izumo Taisha (one of the most ancient and important Shinto shrines in Japan)...

This depiction of the eternal “ensō” on a backdrop of pearly white feldspar signifies enlightenment, the eternal, the nothingness, and the freedom of the mind to envision and to create...

This depiction of the eternal “ensō” on a backdrop of pearly white feldspar signifies enlightenment, the eternal, the nothingness, and the freedom of the mind to envision and to create...

A lovely Shino tea bowl fashioned from coarse Mino clay and covered in a crackled feldspar glazing. The front and sides of the bowl are decorated with paintings of abstract foliage resembling Iris leaves and the base of the bowl is unglazed, displaying rough clay...

Mountain tea bowls (yama-jawan) are commonly excavated from the hillsides of Japan and many date to the 12th century or earlier. They tend to be crude in construction but with a fascinating ruggedness that allows then to endure, often much better than contemporary ceramics, despite being buried in the earth for hundreds of years. Highly prized when found completely intact or with minor cracks, there is a sort of folklore and mystique that has built up around these objects...

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 idyllic pastoral lands. Though the form of this vessel appears innovative and modern, the techniques and materials used to produce it have been around for many hundreds of years...

Sugimoto Sadamitsu (b. 1935) is one of the most important Shigaraki potters alive today and continues to create master works into his old age. Originally a resident of Tokyo, at the age of 33 he moved to Shigaraki and started creating high-quality tea-ware implements, most notably, fine tea bowls in the style of early Raku masters...

Sugimoto Sadamitsu (b. 1935) is one of the most important Shigaraki potters alive today and continues to create master works into his old age. Originally a resident of Tokyo, at the age of 33 he moved to Shigaraki and started creating high-quality tea-ware implements, most notably, fine tea bowls in the style of early Raku masters. A devotee of Zen and a lover of tea, Sugimoto is able to create tea bowls that are not just attractive, pleasant to hold in the hand, and a joy to drink f...

This piece is covered natural ash glaze, made by Junri Hamada who is well known as an expert potter in Mino pottery area where many traditional potteries has been made from 15th century. Size: 6.3cm(D)/5.0cm(H) Accessary: wooden box signed by artist

This piece was grilled with burning red pine fire woods for 10days in "Anagama" kiln. This shape of vase is called "Kinuta" that means a hammer of beating straw. The surface of body is seemed as a natural rock. Size 10.5cm(W) 18.0cm(H) Accessary wooden box with signature YouTube movie "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjMPlV6b2hI"