Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 19

Japanese pottery vase from Bizen by the artist Shibuta Toshiaki

About the Item

A beautiful Bizen pottery vase by artist Shibuta Toshiaki, in the shape of a flattened sphere with a triangular opening at the top, sliced cleanly with a confident gesture. A beautiful gradation from brown to orange-red. The surface is highly textured and strongly reminiscent of a planet's surface. The color rendering of this vase varies enormously according to the ambient light, sometimes flamboyant, sometimes dark, and it's impossible not to see in it the symbol of Yin and Yang. Shibuta Toshiaki was born in Hyogo, Japan, in 1957. He began working in Bizen in 1983, and has won several awards, notably at the Tanabe Art Museum's exhibitions dedicated to the Japanese tea ceremony. He took part in the construction of an Anagama kiln in France at the Ecomusée La Tuilerie de Pouligny, where he taught the age-old techniques of unglazed firing. Bizen pottery in Japan, produced from the Kamakura period (1185-1338) onwards, is characterized by its reddish-brown color and the ash deposit covering it, reminiscent of goma or sesame seeds. Later, they became very popular for their superb clay quality, modest appearance, strength and ability to preserve water quality. During the Momoyama period (1573-1600), a gigantic kiln 50m long by 5m wide was erected in Bizen, and it was during this period that the masterpieces of tea ceremony pottery were created. Bizen pottery pieces are fired unglazed in a pinewood kiln for periods of 8 to 20 days. When the temperature reaches 1250°C, pinewood ash falls on the pieces, covering them with a natural glaze in different shades for each piece. Those fired under optimum conditions have a robust, heavy appearance, with a natural texture and an understated elegance. Bizen pottery is said to be modest and unassuming yet full of refinement, in the image of Japan. Bizen is located in Okayama prefecture, and the clay harvested from the commune's rice fields is of excellent quality, enabling potters to create exceptional works.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9.06 in (23 cm)Width: 9.06 in (23 cm)Depth: 7.49 in (19 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    2016
  • Production Type:
    New & Custom(One of a Kind)
  • Estimated Production Time:
    Available Now
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    Paris, FR
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 33951stDibs: LU2065338446122

More From This Seller

View All
Large japanese pottery bassin (from Bizen), by the artist Mori Taiga
Located in Paris, FR
This work of art by master potter Mori Taïga demonstrates his mastery of the material and the art of fire. One can imagine a libatory cup to celebrate a divinity, or more prosaically...
Category

2010s Japanese Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Satsuma porcelain vase from the Meiji period, Japan
Located in Paris, FR
Small porcelain vase in Satsuma earthenware. The 4-sided body is decorated in polychrome and gold enamels with geishas in a garden, a mountain landscape, a bird on a flowering branch...
Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

Soliflore sculpture Bizen pottery by Mori Taiga artist, Japan
Located in Paris, FR
Soliflore made by artist Mori Taiga in Bizen, Japan. You can recognize the initial shape of the fresh clay, stretched and then lightly screwed together, and the clean stroke of the h...
Category

2010s Japanese Vases

Materials

Pottery

Decorative plate creation by the Japanese artist Baba Takashi
Located in Paris, FR
This very large dish was created by the talented young master potter from Bizen: Baba Takashi. One is quickly attracted by the undulating effect of part of the dish, a perfect contra...
Category

2010s Japanese Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Vase by the artist Nayla Sirgi
Located in Paris, FR
Superb contemporary vase by Lebanese artist Nayla Sirgi. This masterful piece is distinguished by its organic silhouette, both powerful and delicate. The body of the vase, in texture...
Category

2010s Lebanese Vases

Materials

Stoneware

Kyo Satsuma teapot and perfume burner by Kinkozan Kyoto
Located in Paris, FR
Rare Satsuma porcelain set, consisting of a very small teapot with animated decoration and a tripod incense pot, with animated decoration on the outside. T...
Category

Antique 1890s Japanese Ceramics

Materials

Porcelain

You May Also Like

Old or Antique Japanese Bizen Pottery Stoneware Vase
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine old or antique Japanese stoneware vase. In a squat vase form with ribbed decoration throughout. In the style of Bizen ware. ...
Category

20th Century Japanese Taisho Vases

Materials

Pottery

Japanese Bizen Flower Vase
Located in Hudson, NY
Meiji period (1868 - 1912) ceramic vase from Okayama Prefecture. Comes with collector's box. Signature reads Kinetsu.
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Kaneshige Toyo National Treasure Signed Japanese Bizen Pottery Sake Bottle Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, perfectly shaped and balanced antique Bizen ware shibui sake bottle (tokkuri) vase by renowned Japanese master potter/artist Kaneshige Toyo (1896-1967) featuring a unique natural, wonderfully textured organic forming ash glaze. Kaneshige is universally considered to be the founder of modern Bizen pottery. In 1956, Kaneshige was certified as a Living National Treasure (Important Intangible Cultural Heritage) for his work in Bizen Ware pottery/ceramics. Bizen Ware is a type of Japanese pottery traditionally from the Bizen province, presently a part of the Okayama prefecture. It is considered one of the Six Ancient Japanese Kilns (along with Echizen ware, Seto ware, Shigaraki ware, Tamba ware, and Tokoname ware). The piece is signed/ sealed on the base with one of Kaneshige's traditional incised marks. A rather striking and engaging work. One of the best Kaneshige works we have come across. Scarce and hard to find in such an excellent condition. Would be a fantastic addition to any Japanese/Asian pottery or Bizen Ware collection or eye-catching stand-alone work in about any setting. Kaneshige's work can be found in numerous prominent collections and museums including: Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum, Seto, Japan Brooklyn Museum, NY Hagi Uragami Museum, Yamaguchi, Japan Honolulu Art Museum, HI Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, Kasama, Japan Indiana Art...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Rosanjin Kitaoji Signed Japanese Bizen Pottery Vase & Original Signed Sealed Box
By Rosanjin Kitaoji
Located in Studio City, CA
An absolutely gorgeous hand-crafted Bizen Yaki Ware pottery vase by Japanese master potter Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883-1959) who was arguably one of if not the greatest artists/ceramicist...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Ceramics

Materials

Pottery, Stoneware

Kaneshige Toyo National Treasure Signed Japanese Bizen Pottery Tsubo Jar Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, darkly fired, antique Bizen ware three-ear tsubo jar/pot/vase by renowned Japanese master potter/artist Kaneshige Toyo (1896-1967) featuring a l...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Japanese Artist Made Glazed Pottery Vase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A well made and understated UlGlazed pottery vase having baluster form in a dark glaze and accentuated with relief brown, rust and golden/coppery elements. The vase is artist signed ...
Category

20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Recently Viewed

View All