Hayashi Shotaro (林正太郎), Japanese (b. 1947)

A Nezumi Shino Flower Vase (鼠志野花入)

Showa Era (1926-1989), Heisei Era (1989-2019) or Reiwa Era (2019-present)

About the work

An elegant Nezumi Shino (Gray Shino) flower vase by Hayashi Shotaro, a distinguished ceramic artist known for his mastery of Mino ware traditions. This piece features a delicate grayish-white glaze, accented with rich iron-oxide markings, characteristic of the Nezumi Shino style. The softly faceted form, along with the subtle variations in glaze application, highlights the artist’s skillful craftsmanship and sensitivity to traditional aesthetics.

Encased in its original tomobako (signed wooden storage box) with a silk cloth and authentication documents, this vase is a fine representation of Hayashi Shotaro’s dedication to the refinement and preservation of Shino pottery.

Dimensions

24.5cm(h) x 11cm(w)

Footnote

Hayashi Shotaro, born in 1947 in Toki City—a region renowned for its Mino ceramics—initially pursued a career as a salaryman in Nagoya before returning to his roots to study pottery under his brother. His innate talent soon flourished, earning him accolades such as the highest award at the Gifu Prefectural Art Exhibition in 1968 and the Governor’s Award at the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition in 1971.

An official Beholder of Intangible Cultural Property of the Mino Prefecture, Hayashi has had his works included in numerous museum collections both in Japan and internationally. His robust forms and masterful use of traditional Shino techniques have cemented his status as one of the foremost figures in modern Japanese ceramics, while his contemporary innovations, such as the Manyosai glaze, continue to inspire new generations of ceramic artists.