Large seiji (celadon) ceramic vase by Toshio Furukawa

This large and very beautiful vase made by Toshio Furukawa is distinguished by a silhouette with a very controlled balance and a very pure organic form, entirely covered with a spectacular seiji (celadon) glaze whose visual depth and surface vibration constitute the heart of the work. The piece perfectly embodies the unique aura of Japanese celadon, where light, the depth of the glaze and the mastery of firing create a profoundly expressive presence.

Decor and techniques
This vase is covered with a seiji (celadon) glaze in shades ranging from blue-green to bluish-gray. The surface is covered with a highly developed kannyu (crackle) network, structured into distinct facets that evoke fractured ice. This effect, known in Japan as hyouretsu (ice), results from a difference in shrinkage between the clay body and the glaze during cooling. The cracking becomes the true motif of the piece, regular and dense, legible both up close and from a distance. The glaze, applied with a controlled thickness, reveals subtle variations in tone that enhance the visual depth of the seiji without ever disrupting the unity of the surface.

The craftsman
Furukawa Toshio was born in Kyoto in 1949. He graduated from the Department of Craft Design at Osaka University of Arts, where he developed a structured approach to form and materials. He then pursued technical training at the industrial testing center attached to the Kyoto Vocational Pottery Training School, where he furthered his knowledge of glazes and firing techniques.
From 1975 onwards, his work was selected for several major exhibitions in Japan, including the Kyoto Independent Exhibition, the Kinki Branch Exhibition of the Japan Craft Association, and the Exhibition of Traditional Japanese Crafts. His work falls within the Kyo yaki (Kyoto) style, with a particular focus on seiji (celadon) glazes, whose variations in depth, crackle, and texture he explores through a subtle mastery of the interplay between clay, glaze, and firing.

Presentation
The vase is signed at its base by the ceramist. It comes with its original wooden protective box (tomobako), also signed and bearing the artist's seal. Period: Heisei Era (1989-2019)

Place of manufacture
Japan, Kyoto (Kyoto Prefecture).

Dimensions
Height 26 cm - Diameter 22 cm.

Weight
Vase only: 3240g - Vase + box: 4750g

Materials
Ceramic

Condition
In very good condition