Vase - Ceramic - Japan - Marbled Clay - Neriage 練上

Item Description
A refined and technically accomplished flower vase in neriage (練上) — the Japanese marbled clay technique — by 西部功 Nishibe Isao, a prize-winning ceramicist from Mino, Gifu Prefecture, whose works are held in the permanent collection of the Gifu Prefectural Museum.

Neriage is one of the most demanding techniques in Japanese ceramics: multiple coloured clays are layered, twisted, and manipulated before throwing, so that the swirling pattern is not applied to the surface but runs through the body of the clay itself — visible on every surface, including the base.
This vase presents a quietly compelling palette of ivory, celadon green, and deep indigo blue, arranged in fluid, organic wave forms that flow continuously around the entire body.
The form is elegant and understated: a gently squared, rounded body rises through a tapered shoulder to a narrow neck with a softly flared, rolled lip.
The base is a cut faceted polygon, fully revealing the marbled clay cross-section — a hallmark of fine neriage work.
The artist's seal 功 (Isao) is incised into the base.
The wooden presentation box (tomobako) is inscribed 練上花生 功 (Neriage Hanaike, Isao) with the artist's red seal.
Comes with the original artist biography sheet and the original yellow cloth bag.
Unused and in pristine condition.

Size
Height: 14.4 cm
Body diameter: 8.1 cm
Mouth (outer diameter): 4.2 cm

Weight
370 g

Condition
Unused, in perfect condition.
No chips, cracks, or repairs.
The marbled pattern running through the clay body and across the base is the defining feature of the neriage technique, not a surface treatment.
The wooden box and cloth bag are in good condition.

Artist Profile
西部功 Nishibe Isao is a Mino-based ceramicist specialising in the neriage (marbled clay) technique.
He studied in the United States (Shōwa 43–45), graduated from Utsunomiya University (Shōwa 50), and completed his postgraduate studies there (Shōwa 52), having encountered the work of Mino master 加守田章二 Kamoda Shōji during his student years — an encounter that set him on his path in ceramics.
His subsequent exhibition record is exceptionally distinguished:
— Selected for the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition 7 times (from Shōwa 57)
— Selected for the Japan-China International Ceramics Exhibition 5 times
— Selected for the Japan New Crafts Exhibition (Nihon Shinkōgei) 5 times
— Tokyo Governor's Prize, Japan New Crafts Exhibition (Shōwa 61)
— Asahi Ceramics Encouragement Prize (Shōwa 62)
— Special Prize, Asahi Ceramics Exhibition (Heisei 1)
— Juror's Special Prize, International Ceramics Exhibition "Minō 89" (Heisei 1)
— Mino Ceramics Association Press Club Prize (Heisei 2)
— Selected for the Ceramics Biennale (Heisei 3)
— Selected for the Tankosha Tea Culture Public Exhibition (Heisei 4)
— Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition (Nihon Dentō Kōgei) (Heisei 6)
— Solo exhibitions at major department stores including Hanshin Umeda (Osaka), Mitsukoshi Ginza, Mitsukoshi Nagoya, Seibu Utsunomiya, and others
Public collections: Gifu Prefectural Museum of Art; Gifu Prefectural Museum of Ceramics.
Member of the Mino Ceramics Association and the Japan New Crafts Artists Federation.
Studio: Shimono-Nishi, Mugi-chō, Gifu Prefecture.

NOTICE
The photos may show flowers, plants, pedestals, etc. as examples of decorations and interior design for illustrative purposes, but please note that these are not included in the product.

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