Manabu Atarashi (新學) Japanese, b. 1973

A Wood-Fired Iga Ware Flower Vase (Hanaire)

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

About the work

This sculptural Iga flower vase (hanaire)  is a captivating expression of contemporary Japanese wood-firing (yakishime), seamlessly merging raw geological texture with dynamic form. Powerfully potted with a short cylindrical mouth resting atop a faceted body, the vessel eschews a traditional wheel-thrown silhouette in favor of a hand-carved, architectural approach. Deep grooves, overlapping planes, and sharp cut edges give the piece a rugged, rock-like presence that echoes the primordial landscape of the Iga region.

Fired unglazed in a high-temperature wood kiln over several days, the surface highlights a complex array of natural firing effects. Accumulated pine wood ash has melted into thick, vitreous pools of emerald and seafoam green glass (goma), detailed with fine crackle lines (kannyū). These glassy green deposits contrast dramatically with warm, fiery blushes (hiiro) of salmon-orange, terracotta, and soft peach across the exposed, coarse white clay body. Distinct shell-shaped firing impressions (kai-yaki) and scorched charcoal tones add further textural depth and rich narrative layers to the vessel's faceted sides.

Dimensions

12cm(h) x 8.2cm(w) x 8.4cm(d)

Footnote

Manabu Atarashi (新學, b. 1973) is an acclaimed mid-career Japanese ceramic artist working in the celebrated Iga ware (伊賀焼) tradition. Operating out of Iga, Mie Prefecture—one of Japan's most historic ceramic regions—he bridges centuries-old wood-firing techniques with a bold, contemporary sculptural language.

Born as the son of renowned Iga potter Kanji Atarashi  (新歓嗣), Manabu grew up immersed in the raw, tactile world of yakishime (unglazed wood-fired stoneware). After graduating from Kansai University, he formally trained under his father before establishing his own independent kiln in Iga. Today, he represents the dynamic modern generation of Iga potters who honor historical techniques while fearlessly redefining their aesthetics.

Atarashi Manabu’s work is widely celebrated across Japan, with frequent solo and group exhibitions at leading galleries, specialty ceramic venues, and premier department stores. Key exhibition venues include:

• Tokyo & Kyoto: Yakimono Naganawa (Meguro, Tokyo) and Utsuwaya Yuyuyu (Kyoto)

• Osaka: Art Salon Yamaki and Hankyu Department Store Umeda Main Store

• Nagoya, Gifu & Fukuoka: Matsuzakaya Nagoya Store, Jokindo (Gifu), and Fukuoka Mitsukoshi Department Store

• Ehime: Gallery Lab