Hayashi Shotaro (林正太郎), Japanese (b. 1947)

A Shino Jar (志野 壷)

Showa Era (1926-1989), Heisei Era (1989-2019) or Reiwa Era (2019-present)

About the work

A powerful Shino jar by Hayashi Shotaro, notable for its commanding presence and exceptional surface vitality. The vessel exhibits a broad, rounded form with a subtle waist and slightly compressed shoulders.

Its surface is enveloped in a soft white feldspar glaze, punctuated by vivid iron underpainting and natural orange-red flashes where the glaze thins. Textural variations and pinholing give depth and movement, while the glaze pools at the foot and rim accentuate the artist’s control over the firing. The result is a tactile landscape that evokes ancient Japanese pottery while remaining distinctly contemporary.

Presented with its original tomobako (signed wooden box), this jar stands as a refined example of modern Shino ware and a master’s touch in balance, restraint, and material expression.

Dimensions

21.5cm(h) x 13cm(w)

Footnote

Hayashi Shotaro, born in 1947 in Toki City—a region renowned for its Mino ceramics—initially pursued a career as a salaryman in Nagoya before returning to his roots to study pottery under his brother. His innate talent soon flourished, earning him accolades such as the highest award at the Gifu Prefectural Art Exhibition in 1968 and the Governor’s Award at the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition in 1971.

An official Beholder of Intangible Cultural Property of the Mino Prefecture, Hayashi has had his works included in numerous museum collections both in Japan and internationally. His robust forms and masterful use of traditional Shino techniques have cemented his status as one of the foremost figures in modern Japanese ceramics, while his contemporary innovations, such as the Manyosai glaze, continue to inspire new generations of ceramic artists.