This remarkable work is by Kato Toyohisa, a master of Shino glaze, a ceramic tradition dating to the sixteenth century and often associated with the tea ceremony (chanoyu). Its unusual form, reminiscent of a boat or folded leaf, demonstrates the artist’s technical mastery and originality. The body contrasts strikingly with the rich feldspathic glaze that partially covers it. A crackled texture and subtle shades of white and orange-brown give the work its distinctive appearance.

Kato Toyohisa was born in 1962 into a family of potters specialising in Western-style tableware. After completing secondary school, he entered the Gifu Prefectural Ceramics Research Institute, where he studied under Hayashi Shotaro.

Alongside his work for the family business, he began creating his own pieces and soon achieved success in a number of ceramic art competitions. His distinctions include the Asahi Ceramics New Talent Award and the Grand Prize at the Tajimi Art Exhibition in 1983, as well as the Excellence Award at the Gifu Art Exhibition in 1988.

In 1995, he also received the Shoroku Prize at the Shoroku Mino Art Tea Bowl Exhibition. The Musée national de Céramique in Sèvres holds one of his works.

Approx. 33 × 64 × 30 cm.

Accompanied by its box.