Kato Toyohisa (加藤豊久), Japanese, b. 1962

A Boat-Shaped Shino Flower Vessel (志野花入) 

Heisei Era (1989-2019) 

About the work

A powerful and highly sculptural Shino flower vessel by Kato Toyohisa, one of the leading contemporary ceramic artists working in the Mino tradition. The vessel takes the form of an elongated boat or seed-pod shape, its dynamic profile accentuated by a narrow central opening and sweeping asymmetrical contours. The organic form conveys a sense of movement and vitality while maintaining the quiet elegance associated with Japanese flower vessels.

The surface is richly covered in the artist's distinctive Shino glaze, displaying soft ivory-white tones interspersed with warm salmon-pink hues and areas of smoky grey and charcoal. Fine crackling and subtle textural variations animate the glaze, while exposed iron-rich clay contributes depth and visual contrast. The flowing bands of colour appear to wrap naturally around the vessel, emphasising its elongated form and creating a harmonious dialogue between clay, glaze, and fire.

The flower vessel is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako) and descriptive leaflet.

Dimensions

15cm(h) x 29.3cm(w) x 16cm(d)

Footnote

Kato Toyohisa (加藤豊久), who later adopted the name 土代久, is a distinguished ceramic artist celebrated for his innovative approach to Mino ware, especially Shino ceramics. He merges traditional techniques with a contemporary style, enhancing the classic aesthetic. Recognized early in his career, Kato received the Rising Star Award at the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition in 1983, along with accolades from the Tajimi City Art Exhibition and other major ceramic exhibitions.