sabi

Still available, ebay buyer cancelled on me.

Good afternoon and happy holidays NMB, On offer today is a stunning Oribe ware sake cup by the best (IMO) contemporary potter working in the style. While many modern artists have turned to gas firing because it yields consistent results, Tomonori Koyama has stayed true to the old ways of doing things by wood firing his works. The loss rate is higher and the results unpredictable, but when things go well you get pieces like this. Oribe is a core style of my study, and I haven’t seen another example that has such incredible variation of color, all while maintaining a cohesive vision. The traditional green and cream tones of Oribe are beautifully accented by flashes of bronze, gray and even pink, along with natural ash deposits along the rim to give this cup a depth rarely seen. The incised lines along the rim are confidently done, and the geometric pattern brushwork is carefree without being sloppy. The three circles possibly represent dango, a common motif, but could just as well be patterns typically found on kimono, an even more popular Oribe design. This piece is in perfect condition and measures 6cm wide by 5cm tall. Complete with its original box, cloth and paperwork as shown. $160 shipped to the USA, international buyers please contact me for a quote. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional pics. Thanks for looking!

Bizen bud vase is sold.

Bizen vase box.

Good evening NMB, I have a few (relatively) cheap and cheerful pieces that need new homes, listing them here first as always before eBay gets a crack at it. All prices listed include shipping to the USA, international buyers please contact me for a quote. First up is an antique Ohi ware vase, but could also be used as a sake bottle - despite the lack of a pouring rim it functions quite well. The form is a woven sack, possibly a take on the common theme of Japanese pottery depicting every day items (very Zen like), or possibly a sakebukuro, which were used in traditional sake filtering. Given that Kanazawa, the home of Ohi ware is also a noted sake producing region, I lean towards this attribution. Despite having multiple stamps near the base, I have been unable to determine the maker. Nonetheless, it is a very accomplished piece and has some age to it, likely late Meiji/Showa. Excellent antique condition with no flaws, stands approx 14.5cm/6 inches tall. $80 Next up is a wonderfully organic Bizen ware bud vase by rising star Kimura Hajime. Fashioned in a gourd like shape, it was likely made symmetrical/veritical, with the intense heat of Bizen firings causing it to lean to one side, resulting in a beautiful piece of wabi and imperfectness that is so prized. Bizen is know to keep flowers alive for a long time (something about the clay), and is a popular choice for vases due to this and the color palette playing nicely with virtually anything you could put in it. As-made, like new condition with its original signed box, cloth and paperwork. 10cm/4 inches tall. $120 Last is a perfect addition for all of you lovers of Japanese cuisine, a delicately beautiful but strongly potted sushi/kaiseki plate. Subtle coloring and outstanding clay flavor make this a very versatile piece that like the bud vase above, will enhance any dish served on it. Author is unknown but condition is flawless. 18cm/7 inches long. $60 Willing to make deals for multiple pieces. Payment via PayPal friends and family is strongly preferred but will take Venmo if necessary for the buyer. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional pics. Thanks for looking!

Hey Justin, unfortunately it sold a few days ago. My apologies for not promptly updating the thread!

Good evening NMB, On offer today is a classic tokkuri (sake flask) by one of the best potters working in the Shigaraki style today. Kazuya is the son of Furutani Michio, a legend whose untimely passing left a massive void in the world of wood firing, one which his son has since filled and then some. This piece displays an almost unbelievable range of firing effects, a trademark of the family who literally wrote the book on modern anagama firing. As his late father said, if the kiln doesn’t fire the way you want it to, tear it down and start over - a collection of bricks, as it were. Kazuya is based in Shigaraki and categorizes his wares as such, however this work is what comes to mind when we think of Iga. The dark, scorched body due to the immense heat and long firing duration, thick ash glaze deposits ranging from moss green, to emerald and even some blue tones mixed in. Several large “dragonfly eyes” have formed where the glaze pools after running down the body, a highly sought after characteristic. This bottle measures 13cm tall and holds a generous portion due to the bulbous form. In perfect condition and comes with its original box, cloth and paperwork as shown. $250 shipped to the USA, international buyers please contact me for a quote. Payment via PayPal FF only please. I’ve included pics in two sets of lighting as pottery, and specifically natural ash glaze styles can vary considerably depending on the source. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional pics. Thanks for looking!

Yeahhh I just don't think it would be economically sensible for international buyers. I certainly don't mind shipping Worldwide and have done so plenty of times, but I imagine it would likely double the cost of this.

Good morning NMB, On offer today is a lovely piece of folk art with a rustic yet accomplished execution. The subject is the Ussuri brown bear with wetted fur, ready to snatch a fish out of the river. This is a large piece and would have likely been made for an alcove/tea room type display given the size - measures 16" long by 9" tall. I'm not entirely sure of the material but it's likely boxwood and in excellent condition. Probably mid-century-ish in age and very likely from Hokkaido, where these types of wooden bears are popular gifts. This one being a particularly well done example that doesn't fit in with the usual tourist grade offerings. Asking $150 via Paypal FF shipped to the USA, would like to keep it stateside as the cost to ship this internationally would be massive. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional pics, thanks for looking!

On offer today is a wonderful hand formed Shigaraki tea bowl by artist Yukihiro Nezu, who settled in the mountains of Kyoto where he built a wood fire kiln and focused on small, intimate exhibitions over large galleries and department stores. This bowl has a stunning array of color from the usual browns and greens to flashes of pink, purple and mint. Lightweight in the hand and well balanced, it would make a perfect every day bowl and look equally fantastic on display. Measures 12 x 9.5 cm, comes with it's original box, which is particularly high quality, cloth and paperwork. Priced to move at $200 shipped to the USA, will ship internationally at the buyer's expense. Payment via PayPal FF. Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional pics, thanks for looking!