Sakata Jinnai - Box - Stoneware - Jinjin-mon Gold Leaf
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Mashiko ware stoneware octagonal lidded box by Sakata Jinnai, blue glaze with Jinjin-mon carving and gold leaf, 23 cm high, 17 cm wide, dating 1900–2000, in good condition.
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Description from the seller
Item Description
This is an octagonal lidded box by Sakata Jinnai (坂田甚内 Sakata Jinnai, 1943-2023), a Mashiko-based ceramicist celebrated for his distinctive carved surface pattern known as Jinjin-mon (深甚文). The piece belongs to the category of decorative ceramic objects that double as functional containers, here suited for small personal items or as a standalone sculptural object.
The box is built on an eight-sided plan, with the body divided into two stacked tiers and topped by a stepped, pagoda-like lid crowned with a small finial. Every facet of the body and lid is covered in the artist's signature Jinjin-mon relief carving, an intricate scrolling pattern that catches light differently depending on the viewing angle. Scattered gold-leaf accents are worked into the pale blue-lavender glaze, adding warmth and glimmer against the otherwise cool, matte surface. The interior of the box is finished in a contrasting dark green with a fine glittering texture, visible when the lid is removed.
The overall form is architectural and highly disciplined, with crisp edges and a strong sense of geometric balance, characteristic of Sakata's mature style that blends mingei-inflected craftsmanship with a more sculptural, contemporary sensibility.
Size
Height: 23 cm
Width: 17 cm
Depth: 17 cm
Condition
The piece is in generally good condition overall, consistent with age and studio production. Close inspection shows light surface marks, a few small dark specks and a faint smudge on the body (visible in close-up photographs), along with minor wear to the glaze on the edges. No cracks, chips, or repairs are apparent. The lid fits securely and the box has not been tested for any liquid-tight use, as it is intended as a decorative object.
Artist Profile
Sakata Jinnai was born in Tokyo in 1943 and studied under the renowned Mashiko ceramicist Shoji Kamoda (加守田章二) from 1964, establishing his own kiln in Kami-Oba, Mashiko Town in 1966. He remained active until his death in 2023. Beyond ceramics, he worked across a range of media including glass, mixed metals, painting, ceramic panels, and sculptural objects, and is regarded as a maverick figure with a wholly original aesthetic vision. His signature Jinjin-mon (深甚文) motif, an undulating carved pattern the artist associated with the profound depths of the cosmos and its life-generating force, carries strong echoes of Jomon-period earthenware in its earthy, primal presence.
He belonged to the generation of Mashiko artists who followed the mingei masters such as Shoji Hamada, alongside contemporaries including Yasuda Takeshi and Koinuma Michio. His solo exhibition history spans several decades, including biennial shows at Akasaka Green Gallery from 1971 through 1999, exhibitions at Seibu department stores in Ikebukuro and Utsunomiya from 1976 to 1986, and biennial exhibitions at Nihonbashi Takashimaya from 1987, including the opening exhibition of Takashimaya's New York gallery in 1994.
His works have been presented as notable donations, including a large black porcelain deep-patterned gold leaf plate, Homage to the Sun, offered to Ise Grand Shrine on the occasion of the 2013 Shikinen Sengu, and a gold-leaf glass object, Yamanei, donated to Atsuta Shrine in 2014. He also took part as an invited artist in the 1st Shanghai International Ceramic Living Art Expo in 2009. The Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art recognises Sakata among the significant artists of the generation following Hamada Shoji who shaped Mashiko's modern ceramic legacy. His work is held in institutional collections including the British Museum, the Rockefeller Foundation, and Waseda University.
Additional Information
Artist: Sakata Jinnai (坂田甚内), Mashiko ware ceramicist
Technique: Mashiko ware stoneware with carved Jinjin-mon pattern and gold leaf accents
Design: Jinjin-mon (深甚文), the artist's signature carved motif
Form: Octagonal lidded box (hakkaku futamono)
Function: Small object box / decorative sculpture
Material: Ceramic (stoneware)
NOITICE:
The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation.
It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping.
I appreciate your cooperation.
Seller's Story
We have been experienced as an antique dealer for more than a decade, we select and purchase high-quality products from all over Japan. I carefully select items with good taste, whether famous or not. I offer you an encounter with unknown Japanese goods.
Owner Profile
Name: Michito Nagahiro
Born in 1986 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. From an early age, I have been fascinated by the beautiful and practical designs of Japanese art, antiques, and consumer products, as well as the mindset and dedication of craftsmen and artists. I frequently visited museums and solo exhibitions as part of my daily life.
In 2012, under the guidance of a top mentor in the industry, I established myself as an antique dealer, handling a wide range of items, including Japanese antiques and artworks. Since 2017, I have specialized in selling Japanese antiques and fine art, primarily in Europe, achieving over 20,000 successful sales to date.
In 2019, I launched a completely free service to support individuals in Japan who experience loneliness. This initiative involves personally visiting people, engaging in conversations, sharing meals, and, if necessary, providing career advice. More than 1,000 people reach out to me annually for support.
Additionally, I am committed to promoting and supporting the sales of emerging artists whose work has not yet received public recognition. My philosophy goes beyond merely selling objects—I strive to convey the stories, history, and emotions embedded in each piece. By doing so, I aim to connect people with the lives of the artists and bring inspiration to those who encounter their work.
Item Description
This is an octagonal lidded box by Sakata Jinnai (坂田甚内 Sakata Jinnai, 1943-2023), a Mashiko-based ceramicist celebrated for his distinctive carved surface pattern known as Jinjin-mon (深甚文). The piece belongs to the category of decorative ceramic objects that double as functional containers, here suited for small personal items or as a standalone sculptural object.
The box is built on an eight-sided plan, with the body divided into two stacked tiers and topped by a stepped, pagoda-like lid crowned with a small finial. Every facet of the body and lid is covered in the artist's signature Jinjin-mon relief carving, an intricate scrolling pattern that catches light differently depending on the viewing angle. Scattered gold-leaf accents are worked into the pale blue-lavender glaze, adding warmth and glimmer against the otherwise cool, matte surface. The interior of the box is finished in a contrasting dark green with a fine glittering texture, visible when the lid is removed.
The overall form is architectural and highly disciplined, with crisp edges and a strong sense of geometric balance, characteristic of Sakata's mature style that blends mingei-inflected craftsmanship with a more sculptural, contemporary sensibility.
Size
Height: 23 cm
Width: 17 cm
Depth: 17 cm
Condition
The piece is in generally good condition overall, consistent with age and studio production. Close inspection shows light surface marks, a few small dark specks and a faint smudge on the body (visible in close-up photographs), along with minor wear to the glaze on the edges. No cracks, chips, or repairs are apparent. The lid fits securely and the box has not been tested for any liquid-tight use, as it is intended as a decorative object.
Artist Profile
Sakata Jinnai was born in Tokyo in 1943 and studied under the renowned Mashiko ceramicist Shoji Kamoda (加守田章二) from 1964, establishing his own kiln in Kami-Oba, Mashiko Town in 1966. He remained active until his death in 2023. Beyond ceramics, he worked across a range of media including glass, mixed metals, painting, ceramic panels, and sculptural objects, and is regarded as a maverick figure with a wholly original aesthetic vision. His signature Jinjin-mon (深甚文) motif, an undulating carved pattern the artist associated with the profound depths of the cosmos and its life-generating force, carries strong echoes of Jomon-period earthenware in its earthy, primal presence.
He belonged to the generation of Mashiko artists who followed the mingei masters such as Shoji Hamada, alongside contemporaries including Yasuda Takeshi and Koinuma Michio. His solo exhibition history spans several decades, including biennial shows at Akasaka Green Gallery from 1971 through 1999, exhibitions at Seibu department stores in Ikebukuro and Utsunomiya from 1976 to 1986, and biennial exhibitions at Nihonbashi Takashimaya from 1987, including the opening exhibition of Takashimaya's New York gallery in 1994.
His works have been presented as notable donations, including a large black porcelain deep-patterned gold leaf plate, Homage to the Sun, offered to Ise Grand Shrine on the occasion of the 2013 Shikinen Sengu, and a gold-leaf glass object, Yamanei, donated to Atsuta Shrine in 2014. He also took part as an invited artist in the 1st Shanghai International Ceramic Living Art Expo in 2009. The Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art recognises Sakata among the significant artists of the generation following Hamada Shoji who shaped Mashiko's modern ceramic legacy. His work is held in institutional collections including the British Museum, the Rockefeller Foundation, and Waseda University.
Additional Information
Artist: Sakata Jinnai (坂田甚内), Mashiko ware ceramicist
Technique: Mashiko ware stoneware with carved Jinjin-mon pattern and gold leaf accents
Design: Jinjin-mon (深甚文), the artist's signature carved motif
Form: Octagonal lidded box (hakkaku futamono)
Function: Small object box / decorative sculpture
Material: Ceramic (stoneware)
NOITICE:
The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation.
It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally.
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping.
I appreciate your cooperation.
Seller's Story
We have been experienced as an antique dealer for more than a decade, we select and purchase high-quality products from all over Japan. I carefully select items with good taste, whether famous or not. I offer you an encounter with unknown Japanese goods.
Owner Profile
Name: Michito Nagahiro
Born in 1986 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. From an early age, I have been fascinated by the beautiful and practical designs of Japanese art, antiques, and consumer products, as well as the mindset and dedication of craftsmen and artists. I frequently visited museums and solo exhibitions as part of my daily life.
In 2012, under the guidance of a top mentor in the industry, I established myself as an antique dealer, handling a wide range of items, including Japanese antiques and artworks. Since 2017, I have specialized in selling Japanese antiques and fine art, primarily in Europe, achieving over 20,000 successful sales to date.
In 2019, I launched a completely free service to support individuals in Japan who experience loneliness. This initiative involves personally visiting people, engaging in conversations, sharing meals, and, if necessary, providing career advice. More than 1,000 people reach out to me annually for support.
Additionally, I am committed to promoting and supporting the sales of emerging artists whose work has not yet received public recognition. My philosophy goes beyond merely selling objects—I strive to convey the stories, history, and emotions embedded in each piece. By doing so, I aim to connect people with the lives of the artists and bring inspiration to those who encounter their work.
Details
Era
1900-2000
Title additional information
Jinjin-mon Gold Leaf
Number of objects
1
Country of origin
Japan
Material
Stoneware
Designer/artist/maker
Sakata Jinnai
Style
Contemporary
Colour
Blue
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of ageing
Height
23 cm
Width
17 cm
Depth
17 cm
Estimated period
1900-2000
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