Watanabe Nobuo was born in 1949 in Niigata Prefecture.

He began his training under Kido Natsuo in 1968. After graduating from Ibaraki University in 1972, he settled in Kasama and pursued his career as an independent ceramic artist. In 1976 he moved to Nishi-Ibaraki, Ibaraki Prefecture.

Watanabe has received several awards and has held solo exhibitions at venues including Matsuya Ginza, Matsuzakaya Ueno and Mito Soma Gallery. Alongside his artistic practice, he has also taught ceramics.

A member of the Ibaraki Arts and Crafts Association, Watanabe is particularly known for his mastery of inlay techniques.

This spectacular vase, entitled Cloud, demonstrates both his command of inlay and his skill in slab construction. Its strongly modelled volume moves beyond the conventional vessel to assume an explicitly sculptural, almost dreamlike presence.

29 × 27.5 × 17 cm.