Kentaro Kawabata (川端健太郎), Japanese, b. 1976

A Kukuro Guinomi (ククロ盃)

Heisei Era (1989-2019) or Reiwa Era (2019-present)

About the work

This guinomi by Kentaro Kawabata is a distinctive example of his expressive and experimental ceramic style. The vessel features a compact, slightly flared form with a subtly irregular rim, giving it a natural, hand-shaped presence. The exterior is coated in a soft white glaze punctuated by scattered dark protrusions, creating a tactile, almost organic surface.

Inside, the glaze transforms into a luminous, flowing field of pale tones accented with iridescent blues, greens, and soft purples. These subtle color variations appear to bloom across the interior, evoking the effects of heat and mineral interaction during firing. The contrast between the textured exterior and the fluid interior adds depth and visual intrigue.

The piece is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako) and cloth.

Dimensions

6.3cm(h) x 6.6cm(w) x 6.4cm(d)

Footnote

Kentaro Kawabata is an accomplished modern ceramic artist born in 1976 in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from the Tokyo Designer Insititute’s Ceramics Department and continued his studies at Tajimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center. Kawabata has received numerous accolades for his work, including the Grand Prize at the Oribe-no-kokoro Ceramic Exhibition in 2001, and the Paramita Museum Ceramic Grand Prize in 2007. His ceramics are celebrated for their innovative glazes and forms that challenge conventional aesthetics, making each piece both a celebration of craftsmanship and a bold artistic statement.