Japanese Modern Studio Ceramic Oribe Jar by Ryoji Koie

A contemporary studio ceramic vase made by Japanese potter Ken Matsuzaki (1950-). The vase showcases distinguished "moon flask" form with shoulder loops. The moon flask form was widely recorded first in Tang Dynasty China, most likely arrived from the Mideast countries via the silk road. It was originally used as drink vessel for the nomads and the loops were used to tie it to the horse-centered owner. The exotic form persisted in Chinese ceramic production through Ming to Qing dynasty. The form is unusual in Ken Matsuzaki's work. The artist covered the vase with a thick dripping Oribe green glaze partially revealing the unglazed part of the body, which is decorated with scrolling pattern in left by ash glaze. The work is rooted in both Yohen Shino glaze technique and Oribe tradition, but interestingly it also paid homage to Sancai pottery in Tang Dynasty when green glaze was prominently used to drip and splash onto the pottery. Viewing the vase, one can see in this harmonious piece, the innovative reinterpretation of ancient aesthetics that cross the cultures, geology and time. The base is marked with the artist's signature. The vase comes with an inscribed tomobako storage box with the artist's bio and wrapping cloth with seal. The vase measures 8.6"h x 7"w x 2"d. Ken Matsuzaki’s haptic ceramics bring a contemporary approach to traditional Japanese ceramicware, most notably 16th-century Oribe pottery...

A large ceramic lidded vessel with striking sculptural form by contemporary Japanese potter Shigemasa Higashida (1955-). Hand-built and with drasti...

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 impressive stoneware bottle form vase by contemporary Japanese studio potter Ken Matsuzaki (1950-) circa 2010s. The solid form takes its cue from Chinese traditional plum vase (Meiping) with raised and swelled shoulder and a small opening, yet it rises from a non-conventional pentagonal faceted base. The extraordinary surface was covered with Yohen Shino glaze in a deep iron hue. Thick white slips were applied in bold strokes to the lower portion of the vase. The abstract pattern calls to mind of the imagery of the iconic ocean waves found in traditional Japanese art. The presence of the vase is strong and none-compromising, reaching back to the past yet appearing utterly modern. It is marked by the artist underneath and comes with the original tomobako with title and author inscriptions and a wrapping cloth with the artist's seal. "Ken Matsuzaki’s haptic ceramics bring a contemporary approach to traditional Japanese ceramicware, most notably 16th-century Oribe pottery...

Patto vase Marked by sinuous curves outlining a flared profile, this one-of-a-kind vase was handcrafted of ceramic following the ancient Japanese Raku pottery...

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.

With cobalt blue decorated neck and base band. Large oval shaped panels on two sides featuring an amusing scene with rust tone and white foo lions in a river landscape looking back t...

Body bowls Two bodies, similar for the materials involved in their creation but different for their way of revealing those same materials. One smooth, the other rough, one bright ...