Masami Kobayashi (小林政美) – Faceted Ceramic Vase with Golden Branch Motifs and Architectural Details – - Porcelain - Kobayashi Masami - Japan - Reiwa period (2019 - present)





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Masami Kobayashi’s faceted porcelain vase, 18 cm high by 8 cm wide, from Japan in the Reiwa period, with a matte blue‑grey surface and golden branching motifs and architectural details near the base, authentic original/official.
Description from the seller
Highlights
By Masami Kobayashi (小林政美, born 1952), a Japanese ceramic artist associated with Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture.
Distinctive architectural form with a faceted, polygonal body and a long, narrow cylindrical neck.
Matte blue-grey surface decorated with expressive golden-yellow branching lines.
Unusual geometric details near the base, resembling small windows or architectural structures.
A sculptural contemporary Japanese ceramic work combining organic movement with geometric design.
Description
An unusual and visually compelling Japanese ceramic vase by Masami Kobayashi (小林政美), whose work explores the expressive possibilities of ceramic form, surface and decoration.
This piece is particularly distinctive for its combination of an architectural silhouette and flowing, nature-inspired ornamentation.
The vessel rises from a broad, angular base into a tall, narrow neck. Its faceted body gives it an almost sculptural quality, departing from the conventional rounded forms of Japanese flower vases.
Across the matte blue-grey surface, delicate golden-yellow lines spread and divide like the branches of a tree, tangled roots or veins of lightning.
The lines move freely across the angular surfaces, introducing a sense of organic growth and movement to an otherwise structured geometric form.
A Dialogue Between Nature and Architecture
One of the most intriguing features of this vase is the contrast between its two decorative elements.
The golden branching patterns evoke the natural world, suggesting trees, roots or flowing energy.
Near the base, however, small rectangular forms outlined in black, grey and cream introduce a different visual language. Their dark centres and pale dotted details resemble windows in miniature buildings.
Viewed together, these elements create an imaginative composition in which organic forms appear to rise above a geometric, architectural landscape.
The effect might suggest a tree growing beside buildings, a mysterious nocturnal cityscape or the relationship between nature and human-made structures.
These interpretations remain deliberately open, allowing the viewer to discover different associations from each angle.
Surface and Form
The restrained blue-grey colour gives the vessel a quiet, contemporary character.
Its matte, subtly textured surface contrasts with the brighter golden-yellow decoration, making the branching lines particularly prominent.
Fine incised-looking lines and slight variations in the ceramic surface add visual depth, while the angular edges catch the light differently as the vase is turned.
The warm earthy tones visible around the opening provide a subtle contrast to the cool exterior.
Unlike a conventional flower vase, this piece is equally interesting when displayed without flowers. Its unusual silhouette and carefully balanced surface decoration allow it to function as an independent ceramic sculpture.
The Artist – Masami Kobayashi
Masami Kobayashi was born in Hokkaido, Japan, in 1952 and studied under ceramic artist Koji Nakano.
He developed his artistic practice within the contemporary Japanese ceramic tradition and has participated in numerous exhibitions and artistic exchanges in Japan and internationally.
His career includes several notable awards:
1974, 1975 and 1978 – Excellence Prizes at the Ibaraki Prefectural Art Festival
1982 – Gold Prize at the International Ceramic Art Exhibition
1994 – Mainichi Grand Prize at the Kasama and Mashiko Ceramic Artists Exhibition
1998 and 1999 – Grand Prizes at the North Kanto Ceramic Art Exhibition
Works from his Wind Tunnel series are held in the collection of the Musée Cernuschi in Paris.
Kobayashi's artistic philosophy places importance on the relationship between the vessel, nature and the imagination of the person who experiences it. Rather than treating functional pottery and sculpture as separate categories, he explores the possibilities that emerge when the two are brought together.
Display and Artistic Character
The narrow opening makes this vase particularly suitable for a single branch, a slender flower or a restrained ikebana-inspired arrangement.
It would also make a distinctive decorative object in a contemporary European interior, especially when placed against natural wood, stone or a neutral wall.
The combination of geometric form, expressive line work and subdued colour gives the piece a character that bridges Japanese studio pottery and contemporary sculptural design.
Condition
The vase presents a textured, handmade ceramic surface with natural variations in colour, form and decoration.
Please examine the photographs carefully for the condition, surface details, underside and individual characteristics of the piece.
A distinctive work by Masami Kobayashi, bringing together architectural geometry, organic line work and the expressive qualities of contemporary Japanese ceramics.
Shipping & Handling
We ship worldwide via DHL or EMS with full insurance and tracking. Professional packing ensures safe arrival; combined shipping available for multiple wins. Local customs duties are the buyer’s responsibility.
Seller Guarantee
We specialise in authentic Japanese ceramics and guarantee this piece’s authenticity. Questions welcome – we reply within 24 hours.
Seller's Story
Highlights
By Masami Kobayashi (小林政美, born 1952), a Japanese ceramic artist associated with Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture.
Distinctive architectural form with a faceted, polygonal body and a long, narrow cylindrical neck.
Matte blue-grey surface decorated with expressive golden-yellow branching lines.
Unusual geometric details near the base, resembling small windows or architectural structures.
A sculptural contemporary Japanese ceramic work combining organic movement with geometric design.
Description
An unusual and visually compelling Japanese ceramic vase by Masami Kobayashi (小林政美), whose work explores the expressive possibilities of ceramic form, surface and decoration.
This piece is particularly distinctive for its combination of an architectural silhouette and flowing, nature-inspired ornamentation.
The vessel rises from a broad, angular base into a tall, narrow neck. Its faceted body gives it an almost sculptural quality, departing from the conventional rounded forms of Japanese flower vases.
Across the matte blue-grey surface, delicate golden-yellow lines spread and divide like the branches of a tree, tangled roots or veins of lightning.
The lines move freely across the angular surfaces, introducing a sense of organic growth and movement to an otherwise structured geometric form.
A Dialogue Between Nature and Architecture
One of the most intriguing features of this vase is the contrast between its two decorative elements.
The golden branching patterns evoke the natural world, suggesting trees, roots or flowing energy.
Near the base, however, small rectangular forms outlined in black, grey and cream introduce a different visual language. Their dark centres and pale dotted details resemble windows in miniature buildings.
Viewed together, these elements create an imaginative composition in which organic forms appear to rise above a geometric, architectural landscape.
The effect might suggest a tree growing beside buildings, a mysterious nocturnal cityscape or the relationship between nature and human-made structures.
These interpretations remain deliberately open, allowing the viewer to discover different associations from each angle.
Surface and Form
The restrained blue-grey colour gives the vessel a quiet, contemporary character.
Its matte, subtly textured surface contrasts with the brighter golden-yellow decoration, making the branching lines particularly prominent.
Fine incised-looking lines and slight variations in the ceramic surface add visual depth, while the angular edges catch the light differently as the vase is turned.
The warm earthy tones visible around the opening provide a subtle contrast to the cool exterior.
Unlike a conventional flower vase, this piece is equally interesting when displayed without flowers. Its unusual silhouette and carefully balanced surface decoration allow it to function as an independent ceramic sculpture.
The Artist – Masami Kobayashi
Masami Kobayashi was born in Hokkaido, Japan, in 1952 and studied under ceramic artist Koji Nakano.
He developed his artistic practice within the contemporary Japanese ceramic tradition and has participated in numerous exhibitions and artistic exchanges in Japan and internationally.
His career includes several notable awards:
1974, 1975 and 1978 – Excellence Prizes at the Ibaraki Prefectural Art Festival
1982 – Gold Prize at the International Ceramic Art Exhibition
1994 – Mainichi Grand Prize at the Kasama and Mashiko Ceramic Artists Exhibition
1998 and 1999 – Grand Prizes at the North Kanto Ceramic Art Exhibition
Works from his Wind Tunnel series are held in the collection of the Musée Cernuschi in Paris.
Kobayashi's artistic philosophy places importance on the relationship between the vessel, nature and the imagination of the person who experiences it. Rather than treating functional pottery and sculpture as separate categories, he explores the possibilities that emerge when the two are brought together.
Display and Artistic Character
The narrow opening makes this vase particularly suitable for a single branch, a slender flower or a restrained ikebana-inspired arrangement.
It would also make a distinctive decorative object in a contemporary European interior, especially when placed against natural wood, stone or a neutral wall.
The combination of geometric form, expressive line work and subdued colour gives the piece a character that bridges Japanese studio pottery and contemporary sculptural design.
Condition
The vase presents a textured, handmade ceramic surface with natural variations in colour, form and decoration.
Please examine the photographs carefully for the condition, surface details, underside and individual characteristics of the piece.
A distinctive work by Masami Kobayashi, bringing together architectural geometry, organic line work and the expressive qualities of contemporary Japanese ceramics.
Shipping & Handling
We ship worldwide via DHL or EMS with full insurance and tracking. Professional packing ensures safe arrival; combined shipping available for multiple wins. Local customs duties are the buyer’s responsibility.
Seller Guarantee
We specialise in authentic Japanese ceramics and guarantee this piece’s authenticity. Questions welcome – we reply within 24 hours.

