Lattice-Pattern Porcelain Vase - Ceramic - Shumei Fujii 藤井朱明(1936-2017) - Japan - Shōwa period (1926-1989)
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€ 125
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Selected by Surya Rutten
Has over 25 years' experience in Asian art and owned an art gallery.
Estimate € 450 - € 650
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A Shōwa-period ceramic porcelain vase by Shumei Fujii (1936–2017), titled Lattice-Pattern Porcelain Vase, made in Japan, in excellent condition, measuring 30.5 cm high, 29 cm wide and 29 cm deep.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
About the Works
Artist: Shumei Fujii 藤井朱明
Title of work: Lattice-Pattern Porcelain Vase
This porcelain vase by Shumei Fujii presents a masterful balance of form, pattern, and luminous glaze. Shaped into an elegant, perfectly rounded body that gently rises into a narrow, flaring neck, the vessel exemplifies Fujii’s remarkable precision and sensitivity to proportion.
The surface is adorned with an intricate lattice pattern, each square containing subtly carved and softly tinted motifs resembling abstract petals or crossed strokes. These motifs shift between warm reddish-brown and pale beige tones, creating a gentle rhythm across the pristine white porcelain ground. The interplay of shallow relief carving and translucent color gives the decoration a refined depth—capturing light in a way that brings quiet movement to the geometric order.
Despite the complexity of the pattern, the vase maintains a serene presence. Its soft gloss and immaculate curvature allow the decoration to breathe, making the piece both architecturally disciplined and poetic in expression.
A distinguished example of contemporary Japanese porcelain craftsmanship, this vase reflects Fujii’s dedication to clarity, harmony, and the subtle beauty that emerges from meticulous handwork.
Size
Mouth: 3.2 cm
Width: 29 cm
Height: 30.5 cm
Weight: 3150 g
About the Artist
Shumei Fujii was a highly respected Japanese ceramic artist from Arita, Saga Prefecture — one of Japan’s most historic centers of porcelain production.
Born in 1936, he began his career in ceramics after working for a porcelain manufacturer and later established his own kiln, Shumeigama (朱明窯), in 1974.
Fujii’s works are celebrated for their refined balance between traditional Arita porcelain techniques and modern aesthetic sensibilities.
He mastered various decorative methods such as underglaze blue (sometsuke), engraving, and his signature “konoha-gihō” (“leaf technique”), which creates delicate and poetic surface textures.
Throughout his long career, Fujii exhibited at major national art competitions including the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (Nitten), the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, and the Japan New Craft Exhibition, earning multiple awards and recognitions.
In 1985 he became a Nitten Kaiyu (friend member of the Nitten society), and in 1994 he received the Saga Prefecture Cultural Achievement Award for his contributions to Japanese ceramics.
Fujii’s artistry lies in his ability to harmonize flowing natural motifs with the purity of porcelain form, producing works that are both serene and dynamic.
His pieces continue to be sought after by collectors for their craftsmanship, elegance, and timeless expression of Japanese ceramic tradition.
Appearance
Please see photos for details.
Please note: The original wooden box (tomobako) is not included with this item.
Shipping Information
Items are shipped from Japan via DHL or Japan Post.
A tracking number will be provided once the shipment has been dispatched.
Please note that we are unable to under-declare the value of an item or mark it as a gift for shipping purposes.
Obligations of the importer
Import duties, taxes and fees are not included in the bid price. These charges are the responsibility of the buyer. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be before bidding or purchasing.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Seller's Story
J ANTIQUE ART -YOKOHAMA-
Where Japan’s quiet traditions meet the sensitivity of contemporary craftsmanship.
We curate antiques and contemporary works that embody the essence of Japanese aesthetics — pieces shaped by time, intention, and the intimate dialogue between human hands and natural materials. Every work is selected for its authenticity, balance, and the quiet presence it holds.
Our focus is not quantity but meaning. We present ceramics, lacquer, metalwork, and hand-crafted objects that speak softly yet carry the depth of Japanese beauty expressed through restraint and simplicity.
For contemporary pieces, we collaborate directly with artists and workshops whose dedication to technique and material reflects the highest standards of Japanese craft. For antiques, we look beyond surface appearance to the traces of use, devotion, and history that form their true character.
As licensed art dealers based in Yokohama, we are committed to clarity, accuracy, and respect in every transaction. Each piece is photographed and described with care, shipped worldwide with secure packaging, and handled personally to ensure it reaches collectors with confidence.
To collect from us is to join in the quiet preservation of culture — one work at a time, carried from our hands to yours.
About the Works
Artist: Shumei Fujii 藤井朱明
Title of work: Lattice-Pattern Porcelain Vase
This porcelain vase by Shumei Fujii presents a masterful balance of form, pattern, and luminous glaze. Shaped into an elegant, perfectly rounded body that gently rises into a narrow, flaring neck, the vessel exemplifies Fujii’s remarkable precision and sensitivity to proportion.
The surface is adorned with an intricate lattice pattern, each square containing subtly carved and softly tinted motifs resembling abstract petals or crossed strokes. These motifs shift between warm reddish-brown and pale beige tones, creating a gentle rhythm across the pristine white porcelain ground. The interplay of shallow relief carving and translucent color gives the decoration a refined depth—capturing light in a way that brings quiet movement to the geometric order.
Despite the complexity of the pattern, the vase maintains a serene presence. Its soft gloss and immaculate curvature allow the decoration to breathe, making the piece both architecturally disciplined and poetic in expression.
A distinguished example of contemporary Japanese porcelain craftsmanship, this vase reflects Fujii’s dedication to clarity, harmony, and the subtle beauty that emerges from meticulous handwork.
Size
Mouth: 3.2 cm
Width: 29 cm
Height: 30.5 cm
Weight: 3150 g
About the Artist
Shumei Fujii was a highly respected Japanese ceramic artist from Arita, Saga Prefecture — one of Japan’s most historic centers of porcelain production.
Born in 1936, he began his career in ceramics after working for a porcelain manufacturer and later established his own kiln, Shumeigama (朱明窯), in 1974.
Fujii’s works are celebrated for their refined balance between traditional Arita porcelain techniques and modern aesthetic sensibilities.
He mastered various decorative methods such as underglaze blue (sometsuke), engraving, and his signature “konoha-gihō” (“leaf technique”), which creates delicate and poetic surface textures.
Throughout his long career, Fujii exhibited at major national art competitions including the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (Nitten), the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, and the Japan New Craft Exhibition, earning multiple awards and recognitions.
In 1985 he became a Nitten Kaiyu (friend member of the Nitten society), and in 1994 he received the Saga Prefecture Cultural Achievement Award for his contributions to Japanese ceramics.
Fujii’s artistry lies in his ability to harmonize flowing natural motifs with the purity of porcelain form, producing works that are both serene and dynamic.
His pieces continue to be sought after by collectors for their craftsmanship, elegance, and timeless expression of Japanese ceramic tradition.
Appearance
Please see photos for details.
Please note: The original wooden box (tomobako) is not included with this item.
Shipping Information
Items are shipped from Japan via DHL or Japan Post.
A tracking number will be provided once the shipment has been dispatched.
Please note that we are unable to under-declare the value of an item or mark it as a gift for shipping purposes.
Obligations of the importer
Import duties, taxes and fees are not included in the bid price. These charges are the responsibility of the buyer. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be before bidding or purchasing.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Seller's Story
J ANTIQUE ART -YOKOHAMA-
Where Japan’s quiet traditions meet the sensitivity of contemporary craftsmanship.
We curate antiques and contemporary works that embody the essence of Japanese aesthetics — pieces shaped by time, intention, and the intimate dialogue between human hands and natural materials. Every work is selected for its authenticity, balance, and the quiet presence it holds.
Our focus is not quantity but meaning. We present ceramics, lacquer, metalwork, and hand-crafted objects that speak softly yet carry the depth of Japanese beauty expressed through restraint and simplicity.
For contemporary pieces, we collaborate directly with artists and workshops whose dedication to technique and material reflects the highest standards of Japanese craft. For antiques, we look beyond surface appearance to the traces of use, devotion, and history that form their true character.
As licensed art dealers based in Yokohama, we are committed to clarity, accuracy, and respect in every transaction. Each piece is photographed and described with care, shipped worldwide with secure packaging, and handled personally to ensure it reaches collectors with confidence.
To collect from us is to join in the quiet preservation of culture — one work at a time, carried from our hands to yours.
Details
Dynastic Style/Period
Shōwa period (1926-1989)
No. of items
1
Artist
Shumei Fujii 藤井朱明(1936-2017)
Country of Origin
Japan
Material
Ceramic
Height
30.5 cm
Width
29 cm
Title of artwork
Lattice-Pattern Porcelain Vase
Depth
29 cm
Condition
Excellent condition
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