Vase - Stoneware - Japan - Yakishime Line Pattern





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Contemporary yakishime unglazed stoneware spherical vase by Kobayashi Masami (b. 1952) from Kasama, Japan, with a moss green to pale sandy gradient, 10.5 cm diameter, 10.5 cm height, 10.5 cm depth, weight 287 g, includes the original tomobako box.
Description from the seller
Item Description
This work is a yakishime (unglazed, high-temperature fired) spherical flower vase by ceramic artist Kobayashi Masami (born 1952), who is based in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture. He is known as one of the leading artists representing Kasama ware (Kasama-yaki).
The vessel form is rounded like a ball, with a small opening positioned slightly off-center at the mouth. The surface transitions in a gradation from a deep moss green at the shoulder to a pale sandy tone toward the base, displaying the distinctive texture of yakishime firing produced by wood-kiln firing and the action of ash. Across the entire vessel, fine root-like incised lines (sgraffito decoration) spread organically downward from the neck, which is the origin of the work's title, "Yakishime Senmon-ki" (Yakishime Incised Line Vessel). A small impressed seal design can also be identified near the base on one side. The unglazed foot ring reveals an iron-rich clay body characteristic of reduction firing, with a glossy reddish-brown glaze accumulation at its center.
This work comes with its original wooden box (tomobako, approx. 13.5 × 13.5 × 13 cm), making it a collector's item with documented provenance.
Dimensions
Height: 10.5 cm
Width: 10.5 cm
Depth: 10.5 cm
Weight
287 g
Condition
Visual inspection reveals no chips, cracks, or signs of restoration; the surface texture and firing effects are consistent with the artist's distinctive yakishime technique.
Artist Profile
Kobayashi Masami was born in 1952 in Hokkaido, Japan. He originally aspired to become an industrial designer but encountered ceramics along the way, and in 1972 began studying under master ceramicist Nakano Koji. He was part of the wave of artists who relocated to Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture, helping to establish it as a prominent centre for contemporary Japanese pottery, where he remains based today.
His accolades include the Excellence Prize at the Ibaraki Prefectural Arts Festival Exhibition (1974, 1975, 1978), the Gold Prize at the International Ceramics Exhibition (1982), the Mainichi Grand Prize at the Kasama-Mashiko Ceramics Artists Exhibition (1994), and the Grand Prize at the North Kanto Ceramics Exhibition (1998-1999).
His work has been shown at the Suntory Museum Grand Prize Exhibition (1991), the 12th Japan Ceramics Exhibition (1993), and the 35th Japan Contemporary Crafts Exhibition, where he received the Contemporary Crafts Grand Prize (1996). He later held a solo exhibition at Matsuya Ginza Gallery in Tokyo (2011).
Kobayashi's works have also been acquired by museums abroad and featured in exhibitions overseas, reflecting international recognition of his practice. His work is characterised by abstract, free-form sculptural ceramics, held in both private collections and public museum holdings.
Additional Information
Artist: Kobayashi Masami, Kasama ware (Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture)
Material: Unglazed stoneware (yakishime), wood-kiln fired
Provenance: Original wooden box (tomobako) included
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
Item Description
This work is a yakishime (unglazed, high-temperature fired) spherical flower vase by ceramic artist Kobayashi Masami (born 1952), who is based in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture. He is known as one of the leading artists representing Kasama ware (Kasama-yaki).
The vessel form is rounded like a ball, with a small opening positioned slightly off-center at the mouth. The surface transitions in a gradation from a deep moss green at the shoulder to a pale sandy tone toward the base, displaying the distinctive texture of yakishime firing produced by wood-kiln firing and the action of ash. Across the entire vessel, fine root-like incised lines (sgraffito decoration) spread organically downward from the neck, which is the origin of the work's title, "Yakishime Senmon-ki" (Yakishime Incised Line Vessel). A small impressed seal design can also be identified near the base on one side. The unglazed foot ring reveals an iron-rich clay body characteristic of reduction firing, with a glossy reddish-brown glaze accumulation at its center.
This work comes with its original wooden box (tomobako, approx. 13.5 × 13.5 × 13 cm), making it a collector's item with documented provenance.
Dimensions
Height: 10.5 cm
Width: 10.5 cm
Depth: 10.5 cm
Weight
287 g
Condition
Visual inspection reveals no chips, cracks, or signs of restoration; the surface texture and firing effects are consistent with the artist's distinctive yakishime technique.
Artist Profile
Kobayashi Masami was born in 1952 in Hokkaido, Japan. He originally aspired to become an industrial designer but encountered ceramics along the way, and in 1972 began studying under master ceramicist Nakano Koji. He was part of the wave of artists who relocated to Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture, helping to establish it as a prominent centre for contemporary Japanese pottery, where he remains based today.
His accolades include the Excellence Prize at the Ibaraki Prefectural Arts Festival Exhibition (1974, 1975, 1978), the Gold Prize at the International Ceramics Exhibition (1982), the Mainichi Grand Prize at the Kasama-Mashiko Ceramics Artists Exhibition (1994), and the Grand Prize at the North Kanto Ceramics Exhibition (1998-1999).
His work has been shown at the Suntory Museum Grand Prize Exhibition (1991), the 12th Japan Ceramics Exhibition (1993), and the 35th Japan Contemporary Crafts Exhibition, where he received the Contemporary Crafts Grand Prize (1996). He later held a solo exhibition at Matsuya Ginza Gallery in Tokyo (2011).
Kobayashi's works have also been acquired by museums abroad and featured in exhibitions overseas, reflecting international recognition of his practice. His work is characterised by abstract, free-form sculptural ceramics, held in both private collections and public museum holdings.
Additional Information
Artist: Kobayashi Masami, Kasama ware (Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture)
Material: Unglazed stoneware (yakishime), wood-kiln fired
Provenance: Original wooden box (tomobako) included
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.

