Iso Yu(磯游), Japanese

A Fukakusa Daibo-Glazed Flower Vase (深草焼玳玻釉花生)

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

About the work

A rounded Fukakusa ware (深草焼) flower vase by Iso Yu (磯游), covered in a complex brown glaze with fine pale streaking. Its broad body and short, open neck create a substantial form whose visual interest lies in the changing surface rather than applied ornament.

The body curves outward beneath a gently sloping shoulder, narrowing towards a compact base. Circular forming lines remain visible beneath the glaze, introducing a subtle horizontal rhythm. The mouth is framed by a dark, warm brown edge, contrasting with the glossy black interior.

Fukakusa ware (深草焼) originates from the Fukakusa district of Kyoto, an area with a longstanding pottery tradition. Associated with Kyoto's rich ceramic heritage, it encompasses functional vessels and tea ceremony wares, reflecting an appreciation for natural materials, understated forms and expressive glazes.

The vase is accompanied by its original wooden box, cloth and leaflet. The box bears the congratulatory inscription 御祝 日本芸術院会員 就任, commemorating an appointment to membership of the Japan Art Academy.

Dimensions

20.5cm(h) x 22cm(w)

Footnote

Iso Yu (磯游) is a Japanese ceramic artist who studied under the distinguished potters Yasuhara Kimei (安原喜明) and Yamamoto Masatoshi (山本正年). His achievements include receiving the Minister of Education Encouragement Award and a Special Selection Award at the National Ceramics Exhibition. His works have been selected for prestigious exhibitions, including Nitten, the Contemporary Arts and Crafts Exhibition and the Kōfūkai Exhibition. He has held solo exhibitions in Ginza, at the Mitsukoshi Main Store and at Matsuzakaya in Ueno, Tokyo. He also visited South Korea as part of a cultural exchange in ceramics and was a member of the Tsuchigama Group. Establishing his own Kōsha Kiln (香沙窯), he devoted himself to producing tea ceremony ceramics in the Fukakusa ware (深草焼) tradition.