Tadashi Nishihata (西端正), Japanese, b. 1948

White Glaze Large Serving Dish – Tanba Ware Plate

Heisei Era (1994-2000)

About the work

A impressive and sculptural white-glazed serving platter (morizara) by acclaimed Tanba ceramic artist Tadashi Nishihata. Crafted in a distinctive, fan-like triangular form, this piece combines modern spatial sensitivity with the raw, earthy heritage of ancient Tanba pottery.

The vessel's surface is split into a dramatic dual-texture composition:

- The upper section features a smooth, milky-white glaze with subtle incised lines, evoking a clean, contemporary aesthetic.

- The lower section presents a heavily crackled, textured white glaze over dark clay, punctuated by bold, dark linear incisions that create a striking organic contrast.

This dynamic play between smooth and heavily textured glaze gives the large platter a powerful graphic presence, making it equally suited as a functional serving dish for culinary presentations or as a standalone centerpiece.

Dimensions

5cm(h) x 43.5cm(w) x 38cm(d)

Footnote

Tadashi Nishihata is recognized as one of the leading contemporary Tamba
potters, noted for his powerfully beveled forms. Nishihata began his pottery career in
1969 and has received multiple prestigious awards, including the Matsushita Award
and Grand Prize at the Tanabe Museum of Art Tea Ceremony Sculpture Exhibition.
His works have been widely selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts and Ceramic Art
Exhibitions.