Tomoo Hamada (濱田友緒), Japanese (b. 1967)

An Indigo Salt Glazed Vase (藍鉄塩磁櫛目花瓶)

Heisei Era (1989-2019)

About the work

This indigo salt glazed vase by Hamada Tomoo is a finely balanced work that brings together traditional technique and contemporary clarity of form. The vessel is compact and full bodied, rising from a gently rounded base into a short, upright neck. Its silhouette is calm and assured, with carefully controlled proportions that emphasize stability and quiet presence rather than overt monumentality.

The surface is animated by dense combed decoration, carved rhythmically across the body before firing. Over this, a deep indigo blue glaze enriched with iron has been applied and salt fired, resulting in a richly variegated surface. The glaze breaks across the comb marks, creating a lively interplay of light and shadow, while flashes of warm brown, charcoal, and milky white emerge where the glaze thins or reacts with the salt. These variations give the surface a sense of depth and movement, recalling both textile patterns and natural phenomena.

It is accompanied by its original wooden storage box and descriptive leaflet, confirming authenticity and careful preservation.

Dimensions

11cm(h) x 13.5cm(w)

Footnote

Born in 1967, Tomoo Hamada is the grandson of Living National Treasure Shoji Hamada and the third-generation successor to the famous Hamada kiln in Mashiko. Carrying forward the Mingei spirit, he combines tradition with contemporary sensitivity. His works, often made using natural glazes and traditional techniques, are celebrated internationally. Tomoo continues to exhibit widely and contributes actively to preserving and revitalizing Mashiko’s pottery heritage.