Monthly Archives: April 2026

Arakawa Toyozo : Sake cup

Reply

[ Description of the Work ]
Mr. Toyozō Arakawa is one of Japan’s leading ceramic masters, a Living National Treasure and recipient of the Order of Culture.
This piece is a sake cup created during Arakawa’s later years.
It was fired in a climbing kiln using the “Kobiki” technique from the Joseon Dynasty.
Iron-painted grass motifs are gracefully rendered on the Kobiki surface.
It has been carefully preserved in its original, unused condition and is in excellent condition.

 

 | google map | 

GINZA KURODA TOUEN
5F 7-8-17 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo JAPAN.
TORAYA Ginza Building  5th Floor
11:00-18:30
closed every Monday
Tel: +81-3-3571-3223

Kaneshige Toyo : Sake cup

Reply

[Description of the Work]
Toyo Kaneshige, a Living National Treasure in the field of Bizen ware, deepened his artistic horizons through interactions with senior potters such as Handeishi Kawakita and Rosanjin Kitaoji.
This piece is a guinomi (sake cup) of the Bizen kiln-change type, created during the very late period of his career.
It is a work of exceptional beauty, featuring a stunning gradient—known as “kumadori”—where the base color transitions from reddish-brown to gray and finally to black.

 

 | google map | 

GINZA KURODA TOUEN
5F 7-8-17 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo JAPAN.
TORAYA Ginza Building  5th Floor
11:00-18:30
closed every Monday
Tel: +81-3-3571-3223

Kato Hajime : Sake cup

Reply

[Description of the Work]
Professor Hajime Kato of the Tokyo University of the Arts was designated a Living National Treasure. She was a master ceramist known for her research and development of diverse techniques, including Kinrande and Yuuri-kinsai.
This piece is a guinomi (Sake cup) featuring a floral design inspired by Ekaratsu ware, with the wheel marks prominently highlighted. It is a highly practical piece.

 

 | google map | 

GINZA KURODA TOUEN
5F 7-8-17 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo JAPAN.
TORAYA Ginza Building  5th Floor
11:00-18:30
closed every Monday
Tel: +81-3-3571-3223

Ishiguro Munemaro : Sake cup

Reply

[Description of the Work]
Master Ishiguro Munemaro, a Living National Treasure, is a ceramic artist renowned for his styles such as iron glaze and Karatsu ware.
He is also known for having mentored many up-and-coming ceramic artists.
This piece is a guinomi (sake cup) created during the very end of his career, incorporating the “Madara Karatsu” technique.
Given that he had a studio in Kyoto, the inscription on the box reads “Hakudaku-yū” (white opaque glaze) rather than “Karatsu”—a touch that is very characteristic of Ishiguro.
Guinomi (sake cup) of this type are rare, and this particular piece is of such exceptional quality that it can truly be called a special edition.

 

 | google map | 

GINZA KURODA TOUEN
5F 7-8-17 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo JAPAN.
TORAYA Ginza Building  5th Floor
11:00-18:30
closed every Monday
Tel: +81-3-3571-3223

Arakawa Toyozo : Sake cup

Reply

[ Description of the Work ]
Toyozō Arakawa is one of Japan’s leading ceramic masters, a Living National Treasure and recipient of the Order of Culture.
This piece is a guinomi (sake cup) modeled after a hexagonal Kise-to cup from the Momoyama period.
It is finished with Toyozō Arakawa’s signature Kise-to glaze, resulting in a stunning piece.
It has been carefully preserved and remains in the same condition as when it was first created.

 

 | google map | 

GINZA KURODA TOUEN
5F 7-8-17 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo JAPAN.
TORAYA Ginza Building  5th Floor
11:00-18:30
closed every Monday
Tel: +81-3-3571-3223

Nakazato Taroemon 13th : Sake bottle

Reply

[ Description of the Work ]
This is a sake bottle by the 12th-generation master Taroemon Nakazato.
It is a slightly oversized piece of E-Karatsu ware, featuring a relaxed, flowing arabesque pattern.
The lightness of its feel, which immediately reveals it as the work of a master, is what makes this piece so appealing.

 

 | google map | 

GINZA KURODA TOUEN
5F 7-8-17 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo JAPAN.
TORAYA Ginza Building  5th Floor
11:00-18:30
closed every Monday
Tel: +81-3-3571-3223

Nodo Fujimoto : Sake cup

Reply

[Description of the Work]
Mr. Nodo Fujimoto, who served as president of the Tokyo University of the Arts and was designated a Living National Treasure.
He researched the art of colored porcelain painting—which had previously been limited to only five colors—and developed techniques capable of producing hundreds of shades.
He is renowned for works featuring floral and bird motifs created using these techniques. His ability to reproduce the color of jade was particularly outstanding.
This piece was created during the very last years of his life. It features a painting of peonies in translucent colored glaze on a pure white base. Although the technique is not specified on the box label, it is believed to be an unfinished piece of snow-white porcelain left incomplete due to his illness. The work is signed with the seal “能” stamped beside the foot.

 

 | google map | 

GINZA KURODA TOUEN
5F 7-8-17 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo JAPAN.
TORAYA Ginza Building  5th Floor
11:00-18:30
closed every Monday
Tel: +81-3-3571-3223