Perhaps because of its proximity (or lack thereof) to central Japan, the beautiful lacquer wares of Akita may be lesser known than other regions. Here is an exquisite sake cup and katakuchi serer of turned wood covered in multiple layers of soft, black lacquer by Sato Fumiyuki of the Kawatsura lacquer tradition. A belt of gilded binding wrapping the body is the only decoration...

Beware, in this artists world the walls have ears and your sake cup is staring back at you. A striking work by Mizumoto Kayoko enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Kujira Guinomi. As if the unblinking green eye were not enough, a silver thorn bursts from the surface on one side (or is it a devils horn, or Vikings come to call?). Sure to inspire conversation during a round of sake, the playful cup is 5.5 cm tall and in excellent condition...

Thick white feldspathic glaze tinged with flickers of color covers this sake flask by Kato Kozo enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shino Tokkuri. It is 13.3 cm (just over 5 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Kato Kozo was born in 1935, and studied under the Mino Legend and Designated Living National Treasure Arakawa Toyozo...

A cluster of succulent flowers blossom among the vibrant leaves of the loquat tree on this unusually shaped vessel by Sueoka Nobuhiko enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 28 cm wide, 36 cm tall and in excellent condition.
Sueoka Nobuhiko was born in Fukuoka on Japans Main Sothern Island in 1948, and apprenticed under future Living National Treasure Fujimoto Yoshimichi in 1973...

Signature Shunju colorful glaze decorates this expressive vessel by Murakoshi Takuma enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Tobe! (Fly!). The wide piece is like a bird, wings spread wide as it sets to leap for the sky. He says that he made this shape specifically in memory of his wife, who loved flowers. It is 53 cm (21 inches) wide and in perfect condition, directly from the artist.
Murakoshi Takuma is one of those enigmas who simply lives to work with clay...

This piece was fired in "Anagama" small kiln with red pine fire woods for 10 days and 2 times. Ancient Shigaraki works was made of clay that was consisted weathered granite, it has very high fire resistance, 1300 Celsius degrees. Ashes of red pine tree turned to green glass ,it is called "bi-doro" at high temperature, and fierce fire made spectacle scene on the surface. Sugimoto is famous for not only remaking old Shigaraki, Iga pieces but also an authority in tea ceremony pottery ware...

There is an understated elegance in the work of Saito Hiroyuki which is very difficult to describe, but blatantly apparent the moment one holds his work. This guinomi is expertly crafted, rough textured outside with a smooth rim leading to the dark inner “Ma” (emptiness), ready to be filled. It is 6.5 cm (2-1/2 inches) diameter, 5 cm (2 inches) tall and in excellent condition, directly from the artist...

There is nothing superfluous in the work of Saito Hiroyuki, often described as “Muda no nai utsuwa” (Vessel without waste). Here is an exquisite tea bowl in muted silver and black with a texture which will make your hands want to dance. Like the creator, it is chic, with a simplicity of form which is timeless, and yet very much rooted in the world we live in today...

From a well-known series entitled “Chōtō” (Listening to the Waves) this large contoured vase features a sandy glaze that the sculptor claims is an expression of the features of the landscape where he grew up...

Ancient Iga pottery works had been made for a few decades since last Momoyama period from early Edo period. They were fired over 1250 degrees Celsius for 10 days and repeated 3 times and more with no glaze, they has natural glaze that is consist of melted ashes, burnt deposits and scarlet by fire. They are well known as dynamic style and loved by many tea ceremony master like as famous Oribe Furuta...

This piece is made of red raku clay by old ways, it was fired among a large amount of charcoal. Red is original color of clay, black pattern is made by firing charcoal. Sadamitsu Sugimoto is famous for making pieces comparable to antiques. YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEqP0COJNKc Size: 12.1cm(D/mouth) 25.0cm(H) Accessary: wooden box signed by artist

Great Master has been challenging to the pieces comparable to antiques, this piece is made of celadon and copper glaze under celadon. Copper glaze turns beautiful purple color. The shape shows Japanese traditional drum "tsutsumi". YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iR4V81RuAI Size: 10.0cm(D)/28.3cm(H) Accessary: wooden box signed by artist

This piece is with natural glaze that is made of burnt fire woods, melted ashes of fire woods of red pine tree and red skin by flames. The pieces are fired in the small kiln "anagama" for 10days and this piece was fired three times. Size: 9.0cm(D)/25.2cm(H) Accessary: wooden box signed by artist

Ancient Iga pottery works had been made for a few decades since last Momoyama period from early Edo period. They were fired over 1250 degrees Celsius for 10 days and repeated 3 times and more with no glaze, they has natural glaze that is consist of melted ashes, burnt deposits and scarlet by fire. They are well known as dynamic style and loved by many tea ceremony master like as famous Oribe Furuta...

An elegant porcelain incense burner of draped form by porcelain master Kubota Yasuyoshi enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Seihakuji Ryusen -mon Koro. It is 15.5 cm (6 inches) to the top of the finial and is in excellent condition.
Kubota Yasuyoshi was born in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto on the Southern Island of Kyushu in 1952...

This piece is very rare among his works, it's shaped pumpkin suitable for summer season. His Iga pieces are usually 3 times fired in "Anagama" kiln, one term for firing is 10days, so it follows that they are fired for 30days.It is covered with natural glaze by melted ashes of red pine tree fire woods, burnt fire woods and red color by flame. YouTube movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xaoApSngX0 Accessary: wooden box signed by artist Size: 19.0cm(D)/19.5cm(H)

This piece is styled "uzukumaru" pot, it means "squat", Uzukumaru pot is originally made for storing seeds...

An example of some of the finest porcelain modern Japan has to offer. According to Wakao Kei, the artist who crafted this piece, it took him years of trial and error to perfect these stunning translucent glazes and associated techniques such as getting the right flowing consistency and pooling effect around the base. The unglazed portions at the foot of the bowl seen here in pictures was created by the artist's fingers as he plunged the vessel into the glaze while holding firmly to the porcelain...