This vintage Kutani-yaki (九谷焼) porcelain vase is a decorative work by Gyōgaku 暁岳, showcasing the richly layered enamel painting and poetic sensibility for which Kutani ware is celebrated.
The vase is potted in an elegant, gently tapering form and finished in a soft white glaze with a fine natural crackle (貫入 kannyū), lending warmth and depth to the surface. Across the body unfolds an intricate floral composition rendered in classic Kutani overglaze enamels—deep iron red, emerald green, soft yellow, and subtle gold accents. Chrysanthemum-like blossoms and seasonal grasses flow rhythmically around the vessel, their curving lines creating a sense of movement and balance.
At the center appears a decorative poem cartouche, painted in the style of a traditional tanzaku or shikishi, inscribed with calligraphy. This integration of poetry and painting reflects a long Japanese aesthetic tradition in which literature and visual art coexist harmoniously, elevating the vase beyond a purely ornamental object.
The lower section is finished with a geometric border in iron red and gold, grounding the composition and providing a visual counterpoint to the organic floral motifs above. The piece comes with its original wooden tomobako, brush-inscribed with the artist’s name 暁岳, confirming its authorship and intended presentation as an art object.
Elegant yet richly detailed, this Kutani-yaki vase is a fine example of late 20th-century decorative porcelain, ideal for display in a tokonoma, on a cabinet, or as part of a curated collection of Japanese ceramics. It will appeal to collectors who appreciate Kutani ware’s vivid palette, narrative elements, and refined craftsmanship.
Size: 11 x 11 x 25cm (Vase)
14 x 14 x 28cm (Box)
