Celadon seihakuji porcelain vase with persimmons by Inoue Manji, Living National Treasure

This celadon seihakuji porcelain vase by Inoue Manji, designated a Living National Treasure of Japan in 1995, masterfully illustrates the refined work of the celebrated Arita ceramist. The vase's ample and perfectly balanced form highlights the softness of the celadon porcelain, while the engraved persimmon motifs bring a very contemporary decorative spirit directly integrated into the piece's surface. Through the simplicity of its lines, the delicacy of its reliefs, and the exceptional quality of its porcelain, this work fully embodies the aesthetic language developed by Inoue Manji around formal purity and the play of light.

The ceramist

Inoue Manji (1929–2025), born in Arita, is a major figure in Japanese ceramics, renowned for his mastery of white porcelain and delicate engraved motifs. Evolving within the Arita-yaki (Arita porcelain) tradition, he distinguishes himself with a style that is both refined and deeply rooted in Japanese cultural heritage. His minimalist approach highlights the purity of porcelain, magnified by subtle hand-engraved motifs.

In 1995, Inoue Manji was designated a Living National Treasure of Japan, a prestigious distinction reserved for artisans who embody excellence in traditional art and ensure its transmission. This title highlights not only his technical mastery but also his essential role in preserving Japan's ceramic heritage.

His works are now preserved in numerous important collections and sought after by international collectors. His engraved porcelains, in particular, hold a unique place in his work due to their balance of technical virtuosity, formal simplicity, and decorative subtlety.

Technique and decoration

This vase perfectly illustrates the engraved porcelain work developed by Inoue Manji using white porcelains and seihakuji (pale celadon). The form is turned with extreme precision before being extensively re-worked to achieve this low, perfectly taut silhouette, whose continuous curves enhance the diffusion of light on the surface.

The persimmon decoration is an example of chōmon (engraved decoration), an emblematic technique in Inoue Manji's work. The motifs are directly engraved into the porcelain at a stage where the material still retains a slight flexibility. The ceramist delicately sculpts the outlines of the motifs to create a subtle relief that remains intentionally discreet. Some parts of the decoration are left without seihakuji glaze, thus retaining the natural whiteness of the porcelain. This contrast between celadon areas and white reserves allows the motifs to appear with great subtlety.

The seihakuji glaze, particularly fine and slightly translucent, reveals variations in the depth of the decoration and accentuates the engraved reliefs without ever weighing down the surface. The entire vase rests on a highly controlled balance between form, material, and light, characteristic of Inoue Manji's work.

The persimmon motif, associated with autumn in Japanese aesthetics, introduces a discreet seasonal reference that harmonizes with the overall simplicity of the work.

Presentation

This vase is signed by the ceramist on its base. It is accompanied by its tomobako wooden protective box, signed by the artist, on which the ceramist's seal and the name of the work are also affixed, as well as an information document (shiori) detailing the ceramist's profile.

Practical information

Place of manufacture
Japan (Arita)

Dimensions
Diameter 25 cm - Height 15 cm

Weight
Vase + box: 5.2kg

Materials
Celadon porcelain

Period
2007

Condition
Very good condition