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

A Shino Jar (志野壷)

Heisei Era (1989-2019) 

About the work

A striking Shino ware jar by Hayashi Shotaro, one of the most celebrated contemporary masters working in the Mino ceramic tradition. The vessel displays the artist's distinctive interpretation of Shino aesthetics, combining a powerful form with richly textured glaze effects developed through meticulous firing techniques.

The jar is potted in a tall, elegant form with gently tapering sides and a slightly constricted neck. Its surface is covered in a thick feldspathic Shino glaze that has matured into a beautifully textured skin of soft ivory tones. Countless pinholes and crater-like textures animate the surface, revealing flashes of warm orange-red clay beneath. Areas of vivid hi-iro (fire colouration) emerge around the lower body, creating a dramatic contrast with the snowy white glaze. The subtle irregularities and natural firing effects give the vessel a strong sense of movement and vitality while remaining deeply rooted in the centuries-old Shino tradition.

The jar is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako), original cloth, and artist's documentation.

Dimensions

29cm(h) x 16cm(w) x 16cm(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.