Japanese Ceramic Vase Mingei Style Hamada Shoji

A large Japanese ceramic vase from the end of Meiji period circa 1890-1910s by Kinkozan (1645-1927). One of the largest studio manufacturers of the export ceramics at the time based in Kyoto. In the typical style of satsuma made at the turn of 20th century, the vase is elaborately decorated with a rather unusual kinran-de (gold paint) and green enamel highlight on a mottled brown background. The painterly decoration depicts a large seasonal floral arrangement in a circular fashion. Besides the obviously superb craftsmanship, what sets this particular vase apart from many lower quality and mass-produced pieces is its tone-on-tone color pallet that is visually somber and the small and sensitive details that heralds the change of the seasons. When the viewer goes beyond the first casual glimpse of the blossom and foliage, one would notice that on the edges of certain leaves as well as along the stalks, there accumulates a very thin layer of the white dust that represents the frost. The flower in bloom are chrysanthemums. Despite of being splendid, they are the messengers of the autumn. The large lotus leaf was subtly rendered in a bended and slightly withered manner, just past its prime. Although the lotus is still in bloom, the prominent seed pod indicates it may be the last for the season. The sentimental capture of the change of the seasons is not unusual in Japanese art. This vase poetically represents such a subtle transition from summer to fall, perhaps depicting the very first frost. The neck of the vase is also slightly unusual with two rolled rings...

A Japanese long neck slender ceramic vase in the style of Mishima, circa 19th century, Meiji period. Mishima pottery was originally imported from three islands in Taiwan and then fro...

A miniature Japanese ceramic vase from the end of Meiji period circa 1880s- 1910s by Kinkozan (1645-1927). One of the largest studio manufacturers of the export ceramics at the time ...

A tall vintage ceramic vase with handle from Japan (20th century) by Nanba Koyo. Made in the tradition of Bizen ware, the vase has a modern aesthetic with a...

A really large and wonderful piece. Clearly, the maker was a fan of Shoji Hamada's work. Could be a Mashiko Ware pottery vase. Signed on the base along with a sticker on the insi...

An exquisite, beautiful flower vase by master Japanese potter Shoji Hamada featuring an example of his popular two-color, sumptuous earth-toned ...

An exquisite, beautifully crafted Japanese pottery vase by master potter Shoji Hamada featuring Hamada's famous signature tenmoku glaze with kaki trailing. The original Hamada signed and sealed wood storage box is included as well as the written appraised signature of his son Shinsaku Hamada. The vase also comes with a printed artist profile/sales brochure of Hamada (featuring some of his other presumably available work). It appears this piece was offered at the Keio Department store in Shinjuku, Tokyo. At first glance, this may seem odd but in fact, this is quite an honor in Japan. This store is known for selling and exhibiting such high-profile artists and potters as Bernard Leach, Lucie Rie, Gyokudo Kawai, Shiko Munakata, Kawai Kanjiro, and Rosanjin Kitaoji. A major goal of many ceramic artists in Japan is to have a one-man exhibition in a department store. For many Westerners, this is a strange concept. Some of the larger department stores have up to three or four dedicated galleries showing concurrent art exhibitions. A well-known artist's exhibition can bring in hundreds, often thousands, of customers to a store and increase revenue for other sales in the millions-of-yen range. These exhibits are usually longer running and highlight a potter's career, like a Living National...

Very unique Japanese vase with abstract pattern in a variety of brown tones. The deepest brown glaze is raised, giving the vase a wonderful tactile texture.