Kumakura Junkichi (熊倉順吉), Japanese, 1920-1985

A White-Glazed Bowl (白釉鉢) 

Showa Era (1926–1989)

About the work

A tranquil white-glazed bowl by Kumakura Junkichi, an influential figure in post-war Japanese ceramics. This hand-formed bowl features a subtle white glaze with delicate speckling, capturing the quiet beauty of imperfection and the natural qualities of clay. A prominent ridge runs vertically along the exterior, offering a sense of sculptural rhythm while reinforcing the vessel’s functional elegance. The form is simple yet full of presence, embodying Kumakura’s pursuit of purity in material and design.

This authentic work is accompanied by a tomobako (signed wooden box) and an original leaflet, further confirming its provenance and collectible value.

Dimensions

10.3cm(h) x 18.5cm(w) × 18cm(d)

Footnote

Kumakura Junkichi (1920–1985) was a pioneering figure in Japanese sculptural ceramics. A graduate of the Kyoto Institute of Technology, he apprenticed under Tomimoto Kenkichi before becoming a core member of the avant-garde Sōdeisha group. His works, inspired by jazz improvisation and bold artistic expression, earned him numerous accolades, including the Japan Ceramic Society Prize and international recognition at the Brussels World Exposition (1958) and the International Ceramics Exhibition in Prague (1962).