Wakao Kei (若尾経), Japanese, b. 1967

A Celadon Guinomi (青瓷ぐい呑)

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

About the work

A finely crafted hexagonal guinomi by Wakao Kei, one of the leading contemporary
masters of celadon in Japan. The vessel is formed with six subtly faceted sides,
creating a geometric silhouette that balances precision with the warmth of hand-
thrown pottery. Its compact proportions and comfortable scale make it particularly
suited to the appreciation of fine sake.
The guinomi is covered in a luminous blue-green celadon glaze that pools and
deepens along the edges and recesses of the faceted form. A network of natural
crackle (kan'nyū) spreads across the surface, creating a richly textured appearance
that recalls the celebrated Guan and Longquan wares of classical China while
maintaining a distinctly modern Japanese sensibility. The glaze reveals subtle
variations in tone, shifting between turquoise, jade, and deep sea-green depending
on the light.
Accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako), original cloth,
and descriptive leaflet.

Dimensions

6cm(h) x 5.8cm(w)

Footnote

Wakao Kei (若尾経), born in 1967 in Gifu Prefecture, is a contemporary
Japanese ceramic artist and the eldest son of Wakao Toshisada. He initially studied
photography, graduating from Nihon University’s College of Art in 1993, before turning
to ceramics and completing the Tajimi Ceramic Design Institute in 1995. Since the
late 1990s, he has received consistent recognition, including awards at the Asahi
Ceramic Exhibition and the International Ceramics Festival Mino. Actively exhibiting in
solo and invitational shows nationwide, Wakao is known for works that merge refined
form with decorative experimentation, culminating in his receipt of the Grand Prize at
the 5th Paramita Ceramic Award Exhibition in 2010.