Fujiwara Keisuke (藤原敬介), Japanese (1939–2020)

A Bizen-Shino Chawan (備前志野茶碗)

Showa Era (1926–1989) or Heisei Era (1989–2019)

About the work

A powerful Bizen-Shino chawan by Fujiwara Keisuke (original name 恭助 - Kyosuke) a pioneering ceramic artist renowned for originating the Bizen-Shino style. This tea bowl exemplifies his hallmark fusion of Shino-style feldspathic glaze with the earthy, unglazed body of Bizen ware, fired using traditional wood-firing techniques. The result is a richly tactile surface featuring fiery orange and creamy tones with the characteristic “yuzu-hada” (citrus peel) texture and bold natural variation.

The chawan’s wide, rounded form is both expressive and grounded, combining strength and softness in perfect harmony. Its interior is smooth and lustrous, while the outer surface offers a dramatic, organic aesthetic shaped by fire and ash. It is signed on the base and comes in its original tomobako (signed wooden box) and silk cloth, affirming its authenticity.

Dimensions

10cm(h) x 13cm(w) x 13cm(d)

Footnote

Fujiwara Keisuke (original name 恭助, Kyosuke, changed to 敬介 in 1987) was born in 1939 in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, into one of Japan’s most esteemed pottery families. The son of Living National Treasure Fujiwara Kei and younger brother of Fujiwara Yū, he was deeply rooted in the Bizen tradition. However, after studying Western painting and training in Gifu—home of Mino ware—he fused Shino glazing with Bizen firing to create the innovative Bizen-Shino style. Through his Momo no Sato kiln, he pursued the philosophy of "yō no bi" (beauty in utility), leaving a profound legacy as both a creator and teacher in the world of Japanese ceramics.