Kumakura Junkichi (熊倉順吉), Japanese, 1920-1985

A Glazed Square Vase (釉彩角壺)

Showa Era (1926-1989) 

About the work

A striking glazed square vase by celebrated Kyoto ceramic artist Kumakura Junkichi, renowned for his bold modern compositions and refined overglaze decoration. The vase presents a clean, geometric form softened by gently rounded shoulders and a narrow square neck, exemplifying the elegant balance between modern design and traditional Kyoto ceramic craftsmanship.

The creamy white glaze serves as a tranquil canvas for a boldly simplified fruit motif rendered in warm ochre, deep turquoise, and black. Characteristic of Kumakura's mature style, the decoration distils natural forms into strong, graphic shapes influenced by modern Japanese design while retaining the warmth and refinement of hand-painted ceramics. The restrained colour palette and uncluttered composition allow the design to command attention without overwhelming the elegant form.

The base bears the artist's mark, and the vase is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako).

Dimensions

14.5cm(h) x 11.6.cm(w) x 6.5cm(d)

Footnote

Kumakura Junkichi (1920–1985) was a pioneering figure in Japanese sculptural ceramics. A graduate of the Kyoto Institute of Technology, he apprenticed under Tomimoto Kenkichi before becoming a core member of the avant-garde Sōdeisha group. His works, inspired by jazz improvisation and bold artistic expression, earned him numerous accolades, including the Japan Ceramic Society Prize and international recognition at the Brussels World Exposition (1958) and the International Ceramics Exhibition in Prague (1962).