Japanese Echizen Ceramic Tsubo Fujita Jurouemon VIII

A massive and magnificent ceramic Tsubo jar by Japanese potter Tsujimura Yui (1975-). Inspired by the techniques and aesthetics of the early medieval Sue ware, the artist hand builds an impressive voluminous oviform, irregular by intention, from a combination clay from both Shigaraki and Iga, coarse by nature and rich in feldspar. Fired on their sides horizontally, the surface of the thick wall tsubo is covered with streaks and drips of natural ash glazes in shades of green and blue, forming an abstract and mesmerizing pattern that resembles geothermal earth activity. Additional ashes are blown during the firing to accentuate the textures. Most recognizably, there are many circular marks scattered on the surface of his archaic looking vessels. That is resulted from using stacked tea bowls to prevent the conjoining of the vessels. After the firing, the stacked vessels are chipped away, leaving behind those circular impression, as well as deep pools of glaze which gather where they were placed. Born in 1975, Tsujimura Yui is the first son of the contemporary ceramic artist Tsujimura Shiro...

An antique Japanese stoneware storage jar, known as tsubo from Shigaraki kiln, circa 17th-18th century (early Edo possibly Momoyama period)....

A massive stoneware tsubo floor jar created by Japanese contemporary ceramic artist Kai Tsujimura (1976-). The heavy jar with its impressive volume was made in the tradition of Iga ware with local coarse sandy clay that turned reddish after the firing. It took its shape from heavy medieval storage jars with a wide-open mouth. For a nearly identical form, see an Echizen jar from Heian period (794–1185) in the collection of MET (Accession Number: 1977.261). The surface showcases scattered white crystalized feldspars and a green vitrified ash glaze cascade down the body (known as biidoro in Japanese - after the Portuguese word for glass vidoro). These is a globular shape impressed on the jar. It is a signature practice of the Tsujimura potter family by stacking bowls between the pieces in the kiln during the firing, resulting in an accidental but iconic aethetic (Kai and Yui Tsujimura...

An impressive Shigaraki Tsubo (jar normally for storage) in an archaic form with a bulbous and robust body that opens with a small lipped mouth. Heavil...

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 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...

Tall and exceptionally made Kyo-ware porcelain jar (tsubo) with a naturalistically relief design of a coral-coloured net stretched around the body. On the shoulder hangs a beautifully draped red...

An absolutely stunning Tokoname ware stoneware vase/jar/vessel - produced sometime during the late Muromachi period (1336-1573 to early Edo Period (1603-1867). Tokoname-yaki ware is ...

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.

A beautiful pair of Modern periwinkle blue Japanese vases with octagonal base, pinched waist, and clover like design at neck/top. Marked underneath/bot...

An absolutely stunning Tamba (Tanba) ware Japanese pottery vase/jar/pot - produced sometime during the Edo Period (1603-1867). Tamba-yaki ware is a type of Japanese pottery and ceram...

An absolutely stunning Bizen ware stoneware vase/tsubo jar/vessel - produced sometime during the mid to late Edo period (1603-1867). Bizen yaki ware is a ty...