Yuri-Kinzai Porcelain Jar with Radial Starburst Pattern in Turquoise and Metallic Green - Ceramic - Jiro Ono / 小野次郎 (b. 1953) - Japan - Heisei period (1989-present)

A vessel where radiating geometry and metallic shimmer meet in harmonious balance.

Description:
This ovoid jar presents a striking surface where blue and green fields converge in a radial starburst pattern. The body is adorned with alternating bands of turquoise blue and luminous metallic green that emanate from a central point on both the shoulder and base, creating a dynamic visual rhythm across the rounded form. The metallic green areas exhibit a distinctive textured surface that catches light with a subtle granular sparkle, while the smooth turquoise sections provide visual contrast and depth.
The form is gently rounded with soft shoulders that taper to a narrow neck opening finished in turquoise glaze. The glaze application shows deliberate variation, with the blue sections displaying natural pooling and subtle tonal shifts that add organic movement to the geometric composition. Small flecks of green appear scattered across the turquoise fields, creating additional visual interest and suggesting the layered complexity of the glazing process.
The base is finished with a white foot ring and center, providing stable support and revealing careful attention to the vessel's underside. A single character mark is incised into the recessed center. The interior of the neck opening shows the continuation of the turquoise glaze, demonstrating thorough craftsmanship.

Cultural & Art Context:
Yuri-kinzai, the technique of applying metallic decoration beneath the glaze, represents a sophisticated approach to ceramic surface enrichment that has captivated Japanese potters since the mid-20th century. The combination of geometric patterning with lustrous metallic effects reflects the postwar Japanese ceramic movement's interest in both traditional craftsmanship and contemporary aesthetic expression. Radial compositions of this kind create visual dynamism while maintaining the contemplative quality valued in Japanese decorative arts.

Collector Appeal:
Works featuring yuri-kinzai technique with geometric compositions are appreciated by collectors for their technical precision and visual impact. The piece comes with its original signed wooden box (tomobako) inscribed by the artist's wife Emi Ono, adding provenance and authentication value for the international market.

Dimensions:
Height: 21.5 cm
Width: 18.5 cm
Weight: 1300 g

Condition:
No chips, cracks or restorations.

Artist Profile:
Jiro Ono was born in 1953 in Tokyo as the second son of Hakuko Ono (1925–1996), one of Japan's most celebrated yuri-kinzai artists. His mother was designated as the holder of Saga Prefecture's Important Intangible Cultural Property for yuri-kinzai technique in 1992. After studying wheel-throwing techniques at the Arita Ceramic Research Institute, Jiro joined Kozan Kiln, which had been established by his grandfather, and began his career in ceramics.
Through extended observation of his mother's work in kinrande and yuri-kinzai techniques, he resolved to carry on her technical legacy after her passing in 1996. His achievements include numerous awards: Asahi Shimbun Gold Prize at the Japan Kogei Association Western Japan Exhibition (1980), NHK Prize at the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramic Exhibition (1981, 1982), and Japan Kogei Association Prize (1982). He became a full member of the Japan Kogei Association in 1982. His work was acquired by the British Museum in 2001, and in 2002 he established Kohaku Togeisha in Ureshino, Saga Prefecture.
Jiro Ono's yuri-kinzai technique involves applying lacquer to the ceramic surface, affixing thin gold leaf, and then applying glaze—a process requiring patience and precision that creates the distinctive appearance for which his family's work is known. The tomobako for this piece bears inscription and seals by his wife, Emi Ono (小野ゑ満), authenticating the work.

Additional Notes
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