Nonaka Taku, large "Fireworks" vase

Large ceramic vase by Nonaka Taku, with a wide ovoid shape and a subtly tapered opening. The piece stands out for its impressive volume and the deep luster of its dark surface, animated by a vast, radiating decoration that immediately evokes the luminous explosion of fireworks. The motif, unfurling in broad beams from a central point, covers the body with great visual impact while respecting the purity of the form.

The contrast between the glossy black background and the silvery-gray rays structures the entire perception of the vase. The radiating beams guide the eye, visually expanding the body and giving the whole a presence that is both graphic and monumental. Depending on the viewing angle, the reflections of the glaze modify the perception of the decoration and enhance the effect of depth. The title "Fireworks" is particularly apt for this work, as it illuminates the logic of luminous expansion that organizes its surface.

Born in 1955 in Ureshino, Saga Prefecture, Nonaka Taku entered Kozan-gama in 1975, where he studied under Ono Hakuko and Ono Shōshi, and received throwing instruction from Inoue Manji. He became a regular member of the Nihon Kōgeikai in 1982 and opened his own kiln, Hiraku-gama, in 1996 in Iwayagawachi, before moving to Takeo in 2020. Initially focused on white porcelain, he then developed significant work around tenmoku, and has since pursued a body of work built around these two major styles.

His career has been marked by several official recognitions. In 1998, his work Tenmoku Fukabachi, presented at the 44th Exhibition of Traditional Japanese Crafts, was acquired by the Imperial Household Agency. In 2000, he traveled to the United Kingdom for a presentation at the British Museum, where a work titled Hakuji Yamon Kaki was presented. In 2011, a tenmoku vase with a pine tree motif was offered during the enthronement ceremony of the head priest of Chion-in. These milestones demonstrate the institutional recognition of his work.

This vase offers a particularly compelling interpretation of his work. It combines the technical mastery of large format, the power of an immediately legible decoration, and the optical depth of a highly crafted surface. The work appeals equally to a collector of contemporary Japanese ceramics and to an interior seeking a spectacular piece, supported by the rigor of a great ceramist.

The vase is signed on the base. Its signed tomobako is present.

Dimensions: height 39 cm; diameter 36 cm.