Ken Matsuzaki (松崎建), Japanese (b. 1950)

A Shirokake Faceted Jar (白掛面取壷)

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

About the work

A masterfully crafted Shirokake (white slip-glazed) faceted jar by Ken Matsuzaki, an esteemed contemporary ceramic artist known for his dedication to Mino and Shino traditions. This striking piece features a distinctive multi-faceted surface, skillfully shaped to enhance the interaction of light and shadow. The soft, milky white glaze subtly pools in the crevices, emphasizing the handcrafted nature of the work while allowing the warm reddish clay body to peek through at the base and edges.

Presented in its original signed tomobako (wooden storage box) with an accompanying certificate, this jar exemplifies Ken Matsuzaki’s refined approach to form and texture, blending traditional aesthetics with modern sensibilities.

Dimensions

26cm(h) x 12cm(w) x 12cm(d)

Footnote

Ken Matsuzaki, born in 1950 in Tokyo, is a renowned ceramic artist trained at Tamagawa University's School of Fine Arts. After apprenticing under Tatsuzo Shimaoka in Mashiko, he established his kiln, Yuushin Gama. Known for blending traditional Shino, Oribe, and yohen glazes with modern aesthetics, his works are celebrated worldwide and included in prestigious collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum.