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

A Set of Five Shino Small Bowls (志野小鉢五客)

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

About the work

This refined set of five small Shino ware bowls by Shotaro Hayashi showcases the delicate aesthetics and warmth typical of Mino ceramics. Each bowl features a soft, creamy glaze with blushes of peach and white crawling textures, evoking the charm of traditional Shino glazes. The forms are gently scalloped, with slight individual variation reflecting the handmade nature of the set. 

These bowls are ideal for serving side dishes or sweets, and come housed in the original signed tomobako (wooden box) with an accompanying leaflet.

Dimensions

Each bowl: 8.4cm(h) x 14.5cm(w) x 14.7cm(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.