Yusuke Miyazaki sometsuke ceramic mentor vase

This piece by Yusuke Miyazaki is part of the Kyūshū no tōji (Kyushu ceramics) tradition, with the Saga region being one of its major centers. Through its sometsuke (underglaze blue) decoration and its mentori hanaire (faceted vase) shape, this vase expresses a classic Japanese aesthetic, both structured and sensitive. The balance between the faceted surfaces and the variations of blue gives it an elegant presence, suitable for both floral arrangements and as a standalone object.

The ceramist

Yusuke Miyazaki was born in 1954 in Ureshino, Saga Prefecture, a region historically linked to Japan's great ceramic traditions. He quickly became involved in traditional arts, with his first selection at the Nihon Dentō Kōgei Ten (Japanese Traditional Arts Exhibition) in 1974, at the age of twenty, followed by numerous selections thereafter.

He became a member of the Nihon Kōgei Kai (Japanese Crafts Association) in 1978. His work was also presented at the Nihon Tōgei Ten (Japan Ceramics Exhibition), as well as in international exhibitions from the 1970s. In 1981, he received the Governor's Prize at a major exhibition of Western Japan ceramics.

Settling in the Saga region where he established his own kiln, he developed personal research into traditional techniques, particularly sometsuke. His work has been presented in Japanese institutions and has been exhibited internationally, including an exhibition and the acquisition of his works by the British Museum in the early 2000s.

Technique and decoration

Yusuke Miyazaki's work is part of the sometsuke tradition, an underglaze decoration technique using cobalt oxides applied to the clay before firing. This technique, deeply linked to the ceramics of the Saga region, allows for the creation of rich blues, revealed after the application of a transparent glaze and firing.

On this piece, the decoration is freely applied to the different faces of the vase, exploiting the mentori structure. The cobalt areas subtly diffuse under the glaze, creating soft transitions between the blues and the lighter reserves. The surface also features a fine network of natural crazing, revealing the tension between the glaze and the ceramic body.

The shaping highlights vertical facets, achieved by throwing and then reworking, giving the vase a rhythmic structure that catches the light differently depending on the angle. This construction reinforces the reading of the decoration, with each face becoming a space for variation of the motif.

Presentation

This vase is signed by the ceramist on its base. It comes with its tomobako wooden box, signed by the ceramist, with his seal and the title of the work. An information document (shiori) detailing the ceramist's profile completes the set.

Practical information

Place of manufacture
Japan, Saga

Dimensions
Height 15 cm - Diameter 13 cm

Weight
1.3 kg

Materials
Ceramic

Period
Heisei Era (1989 - 2019)

Condition
In good condition