Gin sai ceramic vase (silver decoration) by Mamoru Teramoto

A vase by Mamoru Teramoto, a Japanese ceramicist renowned for his exploration of metallic surfaces applied to ceramics, characterized by its purity and gentle curves. On a perfectly balanced body, the decoration unfolds in broad, undulating motifs in shades of blue-gray and silver, created using his signature silver leaf technique, resulting in a subtle interplay between matte and glossy finishes. The surface evokes stylized petals whose supple contours follow the vase's rounded shape. The piece reveals a high level of technical mastery and a remarkable sense of composition, hallmarks of this ceramicist's work.

The ceramist

Mamoru Teramoto, born in 1949 in Kanagawa Prefecture, is a Japanese ceramicist who has lived in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture, since the 1970s. Kasama is one of the major centers of contemporary ceramics in Japan. After training in the Kutaniyaki (porcelain) tradition under master Saichi Matsumoto, he gradually developed a personal style that combines refined forms with advanced research on metallic surfaces applied to ceramics.

His work has been featured in numerous exhibitions in Japan and abroad, including in the United States and Europe, and he is a member of the Nihon Kogeikai (association), a major institution that promotes Japanese craftsmanship.

His works are particularly sought after for his mastery of the gin sai (silver) technique, which has become one of the hallmarks of his work. Through this demanding technique, he develops vibrant surfaces where light plays an essential role, giving his pieces a presence that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in Japanese ceramic tradition.

The technique and the decor

The vase's shape is created on the potter's wheel, then carefully reworked to achieve a perfectly balanced sphere with a short, narrow neck. After throwing, the wall is thinned and the silhouette adjusted to achieve the even surface tension characteristic of vases designed to showcase decorative work.

The decoration combines two characteristic techniques. The bluish areas are achieved by applying a sometsuke (cobalt) decoration, made from a gosu (cobalt) pigment applied to the surface of the piece before firing and then covered with a transparent glaze. During high-temperature firing, this pigment fuses with the glaze and develops the deep blue-gray tones characteristic of Japanese ceramics.

On this base, the gin sai (silver) technique, a signature of Mamoru Teramoto's work, is then applied. Thin particles or sheets of silver are applied to certain areas of the surface and then fixed by a further firing at a lower temperature. The surface is then delicately polished to reveal the metallic sheen of the decoration.

The design completely envelops the vase's shape with broad, undulating patterns that follow the piece's curve. The silver areas capture the light, while the bluish surfaces remain more matte and deep, creating a subtle contrast that enhances the readability of the decoration and the sculptural presence of the object.

Presentation

The piece is signed by the ceramist under its base. It is accompanied by its signed paulownia wood tomobako protective box, a protective cloth (tomonuno) bearing the artist's seal, and an information document (shiori) detailing the ceramist's profile.

Practical information

Place of manufacture
Japan (Kasama)

Dimensions
Height 19 cm - Diameter 20 cm

Weight
Vase + box: 1.8kg

Materials
Ceramic

Period
Heisei Era (1989 - 2019)

Condition
In very good condition