Yusuke Miyazaki sometsuke ceramic mentor vase

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

The Ceramist

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

He became a member of the Nihon Kōgei Kai (Japan Art Crafts Association) in 1978. His work has also been featured at the Nihon Tōgei Ten (Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition), as well as in international exhibitions since the 1970s. In 1981, he received the Governor's Award at a major Western Japan ceramic exhibition.

Based in the Saga region, where he established his own kiln, he has developed a personal body of work centered on traditional techniques, particularly sometsuke. His work has been presented in Japanese institutions and featured internationally, including an exhibition and the inclusion of his works in the collections of the British Museum in the early 2000s.

Technique and Decoration

Yusuke Miyazaki’s work follows the tradition of sometsuke, 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, which are revealed after the application of a transparent glaze and firing.

On this piece, the decoration is applied freely across the different faces of the vase, taking advantage of the mentori structure. The cobalt areas diffuse slightly under the glaze, creating soft transitions between the blues and the lighter negative spaces. The surface also features a fine network of natural craquelure, revealing the tension between the glaze and the ceramic body.

The shaping highlights vertical facet work, achieved through throwing followed by trimming, giving the vase a rhythmic structure that catches the light differently depending on the angle. This construction enhances the interpretation of the decoration, with each face becoming a space for variation in the motif.

Presentation

This vase is signed by the ceramist on its base. It is accompanied by 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 is also included.

Practical Information

Place of origin
Japan, Saga

Dimensions
Height 15 cm - Diameter 13 cm

Weight
1.3 kg

Materials
Ceramic

Period
Heisei era (1989 - 2019)

Condition
In good condition