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

A Shigaraki Guinomi (信楽 ぐい呑)

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

About the work

This guinomi by Furutani Michio is a compelling example of contemporary Shigaraki ware, embodying the rustic vitality and natural kiln effects for which the artist is celebrated. The vessel features a softly distorted cylindrical form with gently undulating walls and a subtly irregular rim, emphasizing its hand-built character and tactile presence.

The surface is enveloped in a warm feldspathic white glaze layered over coarse Shigaraki clay, revealing delicate crackling, scattered pinholing, and natural ash effects from wood firing. Areas of exposed clay and orange fire blushes emerge around the foot and interior, creating a striking contrast against the muted white glaze. The spontaneous textures and nuanced firing marks reflect the aesthetic of wabi-sabi and the artist’s deep engagement with traditional anagama firing techniques.

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

Dimensions

5.5cm(h) x 6.6cm(w) x 6.7cm(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.