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 playful, the techniques and materials used to produce it have been around for many hundreds of years. Taking inspiration from the varied pottery traditions of his native Hyogo, Motomura is also known to use clay and methods from the Shigaraki region and many o...

A very versatile and innovative artist, Sakata Jinnai produces pieces such as the vase seen here in his easily recognizable trademark style. Many of his pieces are earthy and primal in compositions, often inlaid with gold or partially painted in “makie” using various lacquers for dramatic effect. Waves and contours also feature prominently in his work; inspired, he says, by cosmic energies and architectures of the universe. Sakata very actively exhibits his pieces and looks for interesting c...

During Japan's Momoyama period, spanning from the late 16th to the early 17th century, Bizen pottery flourished, producing exquisite pieces such as this “shimokabura” or radish-bulb-shaped sake flask (tokkuri). Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this tokkuri embodies simplicity and understated elegance. Its unassuming form showcases the natural beauty of the clay, enhanced by a delicate ash glaze and distinctive markings achieved through specialized firing techniques. The t...

During Japan's Momoyama period, spanning from the late 16th to the early 17th century, Bizen pottery flourished, producing exquisite pieces such as this symmetrical and elegant flower vase. Crafted from locally sourced Bizen clay, this vase embodies simplicity and understated elegance. Its unassuming form showcases the natural beauty of the clay, enhanced by a delicate ash glaze. The texture and shape evoke a sense of rustic charm, reflecting the profound harmony between human creati...

Considered an auspicious symbols of wealth, status, and good fortune, foo dogs—commonly referred to as shishi or komainu in Japan—are often seen in pairs guarding shrines, straddling the doorways of shops, and protecting public buildings. The yellow Seto-ware shishi featured here is an antique from the Momoyama period that displays a soft patina developed over many decades of use.

Seto-ware is a pottery tradition established in the 12th century with the aim of reproducing fine ...

This lovely Shino tea bowl fashioned from coarse Mino clay and covered in a crackled feldspar glazing shows nice age and comes with what appears to be its original box.

Shino-ware dates to the Momoyama period when potters were attempting to recreate white porcelain-wares that were being imported from China at the time. Originally they were made in a single-chamber anagama style kilns set into the hillsides. Later, with the advent of large-batch noborigama, shino production fell out ...

Fine ivory netsuke depicting a playful scene where a monkey emerges from a giant chestnut. The monkey is depicted in a perky attitude. His muzzle expression and body posture convey a sense of joy in coming out of the chestnut. The giant chestnut creates a surprising and imaginative effect. Its exaggerated size compared to the monkey underlines the fantastic and playful element of the scene. Origin: Japan Period: Edo 19th century Dimensions: 4 x 3.5 x 3cm. State of conservation:...

The Muromachi period in Japan, known for its artistic and cultural flourishing, produced exceptional pottery and ceramics, including this exquisite e-Shino incense burner. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this piece exemplifies the refined aesthetics of the time. Its elegant form, featuring gentle curves and a graceful silhouette, reflects the harmony between nature and art. Adorned with a lustrous glaze in shades of ivory, coffee, and pearl; this incense burner emanates ...

A classic renditions of the Bodhidharma (more commonly known as the Daruma in Japan), this scroll from the Muromachi period (1336-1573) depicts the legendary monk who famously introduced Buddhism to China. Originally from India, he is said to have traveled across the Himalayas on foot to share the wisdom and knowledge from his studies of meditation which later spread to Japan, Korea, and other parts of the world. In Japanese Buddhist paintings from Edo to the present, the Daruma is often seen as...

Going back over 1,300 years, Seto-ware has the distinction of being Japan’s oldest pottery tradition still active today. Made from the rich clay and silica of the region of production, Seto porcelain in particular has been highly prized throughout the history of Japan. The piece shown here can be described as Seto-guro (Black Seto) and is an excellent example of this type of pottery. The writing on the box describes it as being from Muromachi, so well over 400 years old. The form and compositi...

Description:

A high-footed Qingbai censer was in decent form.
By flat mouth rim. the censer was stand with floral stem foot.
In characteristic lake-green tint, the glaze was suffused with whitish incursions when frets were observed on the ridges of the floral patterns.
Characteristic and darken firing effects were yielded on the body clay inside the stem foot.

Date: Northern Song Dynasty, 11th/12th century.

Height: 14.8cm, Diam: 12.6cm.

An amusing tonkotsu, a container for tobacco, skillfully carved in wood as a man emerging from a basket! His clasped hands pierced to allow a suspension cord, not present. The eyes are inlaid and the base has a mother of pearl signature tablet.

A 20th century production but hand carved.

Approximately 12.5 cm high. In fine condition

Please study the photographs.

Within the UK payment by bank transfer is preferred.

Customers resident in China mus...

Amygdaloidal Basalt Snuff Botle of flattened rectangular shape, supported on an oval footrim, the gently slopping shoulders rising to a cylindrical neck; the mottled dark stone ground suffused by gray-blue epidote and calcite irregular but attractive intrusions. Well-hollowed. It was probably made during the Qing Dynasty, 1780-1850. This bottle comes with a green jadeite stopper with metal collar. Note: Amygdaloidal Basalt is also referred as volcanic puddingstone. According to Bob C....

A simple, small but stout iron tsuba. The Myochin line of metal workers were armor makers who also produced tsuba. The simple decoration upper-right here could be a flower head or a snowflake. Udenuki-ana appear lower left. Good condition. Height 2 3/4 inches (69 cm), Width 2 9/16 inches (65 cm), and 6/32 of an inche (5 mm) thick.

An 18th century Japanese Arita porcelain moulded dish, circa 1750 ~ 1780. The dish with a cavetto moulded with foliage and lotus flowers within a barbed rim. The centre sporting a fine underglaze blue ferocious dragon and pearl amongst coloured clouds. Within the foot-rim is an unusual six-character Yongzheng mark. A dish of this design is illustrated in Shibata, “Complete Catalogue of the Shibata Collection” The Kyushu Ceramic Museum, # 3359.

Approximately 21.2cm diameter. P...

With a design reminiscent of mineral deposits on Martian rock, this bold and visually captivating tea bowl is the creation of one of Japan's more controversial and revolutionary-minded potters. 

Nakamura Kimpei (b. 1935) was born in Kanazawa but later—after a period of residency abroad— made his way to Tokyo where he established a kiln. As a thinker and ceramic artist, Nakamura concerned himself with the concepts of civilization, society, historical eras, and the interplay be...

Located at the foot of an active volcano, the Ougaku kiln specializes in a type of pottery know as Sakurajima-yaki. The kiln is headed by Hashino Midori and run entirely by female potters who strive to infuse each piece they produce with the “energy” of the surrounding environment. Pieces such as the one featured here are made from volcanic ash and mineral-rich onsen spring water giving them a unique luster that is difficult to reproduce. In addition, each pieces is made by hand, one-at-a-ti...

This chawan was made by the 8th generation Ohi Chozaemon (1851-1927) based in Kanazawa and is done in a style known as “ameyu” or candy glazing. The glazing is a wonderful example of ameyu and, in fact, approximates the color of a caramel candied-apple. The interesting color scheme and glossy sheen make it an attractive backdrop for a frothy bowl of dark green matcha. While some tea bowls may look best in the confines of a dimly lit tea room, this bowl looks much better in bright light. In a...