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

A Shino Vase with Handles (志野耳付花入)

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

About the work

A dramatic and sculpturally complex Shino flower vase by Hayashi Shotaro, featuring twin lug handles and a deeply faceted body that exudes both physical weight and visual movement. The form rises vertically with angular cuts and ridged surfaces, reminiscent of tree bark or natural rock strata, then softens into a tapering neck with a flared rim.

The surface is coated in a thick feldspar Shino glaze, crawling and pooling in an organic pattern across the deeply incised surface. Shades of warm ivory dominate, accented by smoky grays, orange blushes from the kiln’s flame, and iron spotting where the glaze breaks. The underside reveals a rich red clay body partially exposed, adding further contrast and grounding the piece in earthy tactility.

This vase is accompanied by its original signed tomobako (wooden box), a protective cloth, and artist documentation.

Dimensions

27cm(h) x 14cm(w) x 13.6cm(d)

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.