Suzuki Sōji (鈴木爽司), Japanese (b. 1939)

A Kutani Tea Bowl with Overglaze Polychrome Floral Decoration (金彩草花文 茶碗)

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

About the work

A beautifully composed Kutani tea bowl by Suzuki Sōji, an accomplished ceramic artist celebrated for his refined interpretation of Kutani ware. Drawing upon the rich decorative tradition of Kutani porcelain while embracing a contemporary aesthetic, Suzuki created works distinguished by their elegant brushwork, harmonious compositions, and restrained use of colour.

The bowl is robustly potted with gently rounded sides rising to a slightly everted rim, its softly textured body covered in a pale grey glaze that provides a subtle backdrop for the vibrant decoration. Flowing across the exterior are freely painted floral motifs rendered in rich black and warm iron red enamels, delicately accented with gold (kinsai). The asymmetrical arrangement of the blossoms creates a sense of natural movement, while the restrained palette enhances the quiet sophistication of the design. The interior is left undecorated, allowing the subtle glaze and carefully balanced form to take centre stage.

The bowl bears the artist's signature on the base and is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako),

Dimensions

7.8cm(h) x 12.2cm(w) x 12.4cm(d)

Footnote

Suzuki Sōji (b. 1939) was born in Kyoto and studied under the influential ceramic master Tomimoto Kenkichi, one of Japan's foremost pioneers of modern ceramics. After graduating from the Advanced Course of the Kyoto City University of Fine Arts in 1967, he was first selected for the prestigious Nitten exhibition in 1968 and continued to have works accepted annually through 1981. In 1973, his work was included in the Survey of Contemporary Crafts exhibition at the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto. He received the First New Artist Award at the Kyoto Prefectural Arts and Crafts Exhibition in 1974 before being appointed Professor at Hyogo Women's Junior College in 1977. A monograph of his work was published in 2004, recognising his longstanding contribution to contemporary Japanese ceramics and the continuing evolution of Kutani ware.