Furutani Michio (古谷道生), Japanese, 1946–2000

A Shigaraki Handled Sake Ewer

Showa Era (1926-1989) or Heisei Era (1989-2019) 

About the work

A striking Shigaraki ware sake ewer (chōshi) by Furutani Michio, featuring a rounded body with an elegantly arched overhead handle and sharply formed pouring spout. The vessel displays the dramatic natural kiln effects for which the artist is celebrated, with rich transitions of olive ash glaze, scorched orange fire coloration, and granular feldspathic textures across the surface. Thick natural ash deposits cascade organically over the shoulder, creating a vivid contrast against the exposed clay body and emphasizing the spontaneity of wood-fired ceramic practice.

The sculptural silhouette balances rusticity with refinement, while the tactile surface and asymmetrical firing effects embody the aesthetics of wabi-sabi. The elongated spout and elevated handle lend the work a dynamic architectural quality, transforming a traditional sake vessel into an expressive contemporary ceramic sculpture. Both functional and highly collectible, the piece exemplifies Furutani’s mastery of anagama-fired Shigaraki ware.

Signed and accompanied by the original inscribed wooden tomobako.

Dimensions

13cm(h) x 14.5cm(w) x 11cm(d)

Footnote

Furutani Michio was a master of Shigaraki ware and a leading figure in the revival of the traditional anagama kiln. Born in Shigaraki, he dedicated his life to wood-fired ceramics, building over thirty kilns and pioneering techniques that created rich natural ash glazes (shizen-yū) and glassy biidoro effects. Celebrated for his raw, elemental forms, Furutani received major honors including the Japan Ceramic Society Prize. His legacy lives on through his writings, his influence on contemporary wood-firing, and the ongoing work of his son, Furutani Kazuya.