Murata Jukō (Tetsuo) (村田珠光(哲夫)), Japanese, b. 1922

A Jukō Yōhen Oni-Shino Flower Vase (珠光窯変鬼志野花入)

Shōwa Era (1926–1989) or Heisei Era (1989–2019)

About the work

An expressive Jukō Yōhen Oni-Shino flower vase (hanaire) by Murata Jukō (Tetsuo), combining an unusual sculptural form with richly varied glaze textures and soft, earthy colours. Its distinctive silhouette and irregular surface give the vessel a strong individual character, inviting appreciation from different angles.

The vase has a gently irregular, gourd-like form, with a rounded lower body, narrowing waist and swelling upper section that rises to a short neck. A large, asymmetrical opening in the upper body creates a striking focal point, its dark interior contrasting with the pale surrounding glaze. The softly undulating contours and uneven lip emphasise the handmade character of the vessel, lending it an organic, tactile quality.

The surface displays a mottled white and grey glaze, interspersed with subtle pinkish tones and patches of olive, ochre and dark brown. Darker colour gathers around the neck and shoulder, while the lower body shows quieter passages of pale glaze. Glossy areas catch the light, contrasting with rougher textures and small surface irregularities. Streaks and pools of colour follow the vessel’s contours, creating a varied composition without a rigid decorative pattern.

The interplay between its rounded form, prominent side opening and shifting glaze colours gives the vase a sculptural presence. It lends itself to a restrained arrangement of flowers or branches, while offering sufficient visual interest to be displayed independently. Accompanied by its original wooden box.

Dimensions

17cm(h) x 9cm(w) x 8.5cm(d)

Footnote

Murata Jukō, also known as Murata Tetsuo (村田哲夫), was born in 1922. He trained under his father and received guidance from prominent ceramic artists including Katō Kōbei, Katō Tōkurō and Katō Hajime. His education also included visits to historic kiln sites throughout Japan, broadening his understanding of traditional pottery. He established the Shukō Tōsha pottery in Toyoyama, Aichi Prefecture, and devoted his practice to exploring kiln-induced effects in Shino glazes. His distinctive ceramics, sometimes described as Jukō-Shino, reflect a sustained interest in the colours, textures and surface variations achieved through firing. Alongside his studio work, he led the Shukō ceramics association and served as a judge for the Aichi Prefectural Cultural Exhibition.