Sasaki Yuzuru (佐々木禅), Japanese, b.1949

An Iron-Glazed Vase (鉄釉壺)

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

About the work

A striking iron-glazed vase by Sasaki Yuzuru, showcasing the artist's mastery of kiln effects and surface texture. The tall, elegant form rises from a narrow foot to a gently rounded shoulder, creating a powerful yet balanced silhouette. The vessel is covered in a richly variegated iron glaze that flows across the surface in bands of deep charcoal, steel blue, bronze, and earthy brown, evoking the colours of weathered rock and flowing water.

Particularly noteworthy are the dramatic vertical trails of glaze descending from the rim and shoulder, produced through the natural interaction of clay, ash, and heat during firing. The textured surface and subtle transitions in colour reveal the spontaneity and unpredictability that are highly prized in Japanese stoneware traditions. The broad shoulders and elongated body provide a strong architectural presence, making the vase equally suitable as a functional flower vessel or as a sculptural display piece.

The vase is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako), original wrapping cloth, and supporting documentation.

Dimensions

29.6cm(h) x 18.5cm(w) x 18cm(d)

Footnote

Sasaki Yuzuru (佐々木禅, born 1949) is a Japanese ceramic artist from Okayama Prefecture. He studied under the distinguished potter Kimura Morikazu (木村盛和) from 1971 to 1979 and graduated from the Kyoto Prefectural Pottery Training School in 1973. In 1979, he established his own kiln in Saso, Fukui Prefecture. Renowned for his expressive stoneware and iron-glazed works, Sasaki's ceramics combine strong forms with richly textured surfaces shaped by the interaction of clay, glaze, and fire. His work was selected for the prestigious Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition on multiple occasions in the 1980s. In 1990, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association (Nihon Kōgeikai), recognising his significant contribution to contemporary Japanese ceramic art.