Wakao Kei (若尾経), Japanese, b. 1967

A Ding Ware Style White Porcelain Tokkuri (定窯徳利)

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

About the work

A finely crafted white porcelain tokkuri by Wakao Kei, one of the leading contemporary ceramic artists working in porcelain traditions inspired by classical Chinese wares. The vessel features an elegant pear-shaped body rising to a slender neck and gently flared mouth, its harmonious proportions recalling the refined forms of Song dynasty Ding ware.

The softly lustrous white glaze is complemented by delicately incised floral motifs that emerge subtly beneath the surface, demonstrating the artist's mastery of restrained decoration. The quiet beauty of the piece lies in its balance of form, texture, and light, allowing the purity of the porcelain body and the precision of the carving to take
centre stage.

The piece is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako), original signed cloth, and artist's biography sheet, providing excellent provenance and confirming its attribution to the artist.

Dimensions

12.3cm(h) x 8.7cm(w)

Footnote

Wakao Kei (若尾経), born in 1967 in Gifu Prefecture, is a contemporary Japanese ceramic artist and the eldest son of Wakao Toshisada. He initially studied photography, graduating from Nihon University’s College of Art in 1993, before turningto ceramics and completing the Tajimi Ceramic Design Institute in 1995. Since the late 1990s, he has received consistent recognition, including awards at the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition and the International Ceramics Festival Mino. Actively exhibiting in solo and invitational shows nationwide, Wakao is known for works that merge refined form with decorative experimentation, culminating in his receipt of the Grand Prize at the 5th Paramita Ceramic Award Exhibition in 2010.