Takeshi Nishiura (西浦武), Japanese, 1941–2025

An Echizen Ware Guinomi (越前ぐい呑)

Heisei Era (1989-2019) 

About the work

A powerful wood fired Echizen ware guinomi by Takeshi Nishiura. The compact, gently irregular form is made from coarse, iron rich clay and bears the distinctive effects of prolonged firing in an anagama kiln.

The surface displays an expressive range of earthy reddish brown, ochre and olive tones, with areas of natural ash deposit melting into mottled green and grey glaze. Several pale oval patches punctuate the darker body, while the rough, granular texture of the clay remains clearly visible. These spontaneous effects of flame, ash and firing atmosphere give the small vessel considerable visual depth and embody the direct relationship between clay and fire characteristic of Echizen ceramics.

The guinomi is accompanied by its original signed wooden tomobako and artist information sheet.

Dimensions

5.9cm(h) x 7.8m(w) x 7.2m(d)

Footnote

Takeshi Nishiura (西浦武, 1941–2025) was born in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture. After graduating from the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Law in 1965, he turned to ceramics in 1974 and established a gas kiln in Echizen in 1975. In 1982, having decided to devote his life to pottery, he built an anagama kiln and thereafter worked alongside his wife, Yoko Nakazawa, producing wood fired ceramics. He also studied under the guidance of the noted ceramic artist Moriwa Kimura through Kimura’s research group. Nishiura’s work is rooted in the historic Echizen tradition, with an emphasis on expressive forms and the natural effects of clay, flame and ash.