Namako-yū enamel ceramic vase by Junkichi Kumakura

This sculptural vase, created by Japanese ceramist Junkichi Kumakura, is distinguished by its slender silhouette reminiscent of a stylized bamboo stalk. Its resolutely contemporary presence, both refined and abstract, testifies to the influence of the sculptural research carried out by the ceramists of the Sōdeisha movement. The deep blue glaze, typical of namako-yū, extends across the entire surface, creating variations in intensity and shifting reflections, oscillating between midnight blue and saturated indigo. The marked edges and irregular lip give the whole a singular presence.

Namako-yū glaze, literally "sea cucumber glaze," owes its name to the smooth, shiny, and slightly speckled appearance of its surface, evoking the skin of this marine animal. This glaze, derived from an ancient tradition, has been revisited by contemporary ceramists for its moving visual effects and its ability to reveal volumes with intensity. In this vase, it accentuates the formal tensions of the stylized bamboo, while enhancing the depth of the incised lines.

Junkichi Kumakura (1920–1985), an emblematic figure of the Sōdeisha movement, profoundly influenced contemporary Japanese ceramics through his commitment to expression freed from function. Co-founder of the collective in 1948 alongside Yagi Kazuo and Yamada Hikaru, he advocated from the very beginning for sculptural ceramics that were not reduced to use or formal tradition. From the 1950s onwards, his work focused on architectural forms, often inspired by plants or minerals, which he interpreted through glazes with powerful tones. Recognized both in Japan and internationally, he has exhibited at major institutions, including the National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto and the Japan Society in New York. The Sōdeisha movement's approach, still radical today, continues to influence contemporary ceramicists and has helped redefine the boundaries between art and craft in post-war Japan. A detailed article on our site explores the history and aesthetics of this fundamental movement, which can be found via this link .

The vase is signed (intaglio) under its base. It is presented in its signed wooden box (tomobako), calligraphed with the title of the work and the name of the artist, accompanied by its red seal. An information document (shiori) detailing the profile of the ceramist completes the set, thus guaranteeing its authenticity.