Antique Japanese Ceramic Mingei Vase

A heavily potted stoneware vase in cylindrical form, decorated with abstract strokes in iron rust glaze (known as Persimmon Glaze in Japanese) on a black glazed background. The pattern suggests autumn grasses, and it was applied with free hands. The vase is attributed to Japanese potter Hamada Shoji...

Made by Japanese ceramic artist Makoto Yabe (1947-2005), this stoneware vase features a globular body supported by a round pedestal foot. A similarly shaped neck extends to a rimmed mouth opening. Robust in form with thick wall, the vase is noted for its irregular cloved form. The surface is covered in a beige-yellow glaze, on top of which, dark brown strokes and thick white feldspar slip were artistically applied in a splashed and washed pattern. Together with some random shallow incision lines, they form an abstract painting with textured surface where some slip forms small droplets at the end of the stroke. The work was created in traditional Japanese manner and reflects the beauty of Wabi Sabi, a Zen aesthetic for the imperfect perfection. The base was incised with the artist's cipher. "Makoto Yabe's work beautifully exemplifies the transmission of Japanese ceramics to the West. Born in Fukushima, Japan, Yabe began studying ceramics in Kyoto at the age of nine. He completed his training at the age of 24, with a four-year apprenticeship under Jinmatsu Uno and Sango Uno. Yabe then came to Boston, where he was an integral member of the local ceramic community, yet he maintained his Japanese roots. As an instructor of ceramics, Yabe worked in the Boston area at numerous schools and universities, touching the lives of all his students and expanding their knowledge and appreciation of studio ceramics." Biography sited from Pucker Gallery...

Japanese ceramic Suzuki Tomio (born in 1948) specializes in Shino ware. In 2003, he successfully developed Yohen-kin or transformed gold Shino, an opulent and golden glaze which led to a number of luster glazes in the artist’s growing body of work. Inspired by the golden tea ceremony room in Osaka Castle commissioned by Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598) where honored guests were served tea from a glittering bowl coated with pure gold, it took the artist nearly a decade of experimentation and refinement to achieve the glaze while strictly adhering to traditional shino making techniques. This set of five Yohen-kin plates displays a lustrous transformation. Signed on the bottom of plates. With original wrap cloth and the storage tomobako box entitled and signed by the artist in Kanji, with additional red seal. The size of the box is 5-1/8 x 8-1/4 x 8-1/4 inches. Many of Suzuki Tomio's shino pottery...

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...