Large “Tansai-yū hanmon tsubo” (淡彩釉斑文壺), Seto stoneware, by Katō Keiya (加藤敬也)
Japan, Seto, late 20th century

This large ovoid vase is distinguished by its full, gently asymmetrical volume, rounded shoulders and remarkably small, irregular mouth. Its restrained palette moves between pale cream, light grey and blue-grey, creating a quiet chromatic depth across the surface.

The stoneware body is covered with pronounced relief, fissures and granular accretions. Broad raised areas interrupt the vessel’s silhouette and catch the light, giving the surface the appearance of weathered stone or ancient bark. The contrast between the dry pale passages and the cooler blue-grey recesses makes the vase particularly sculptural.

Born in Aichi Prefecture in 1935, Katō Keiya worked within the ceramic traditions of Seto-Akazu and Obara. He was known for preparing his own clays and glazes and for decorative vessels shaped by ash glazes and kiln effects. His work was exhibited at the Nitten and in the Japan New Crafts movement.

Signed by the artist and accompanied by its original fitted wooden box and original cloth. The inscription on the lid reads 淡彩釉 斑文壺 敬也 作 (Tansai-yū hanmon tsubo, Keiya saku): “Vase with mottled decoration in a softly coloured glaze, made by Keiya.”

Dimensions: H. 50 cm; maximum diameter 30 cm.