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Collector’s Guide Vol. 5: Sculptural Hanaire, Mashiko and Kasama Black Glazes, and Ikebana Metalwork
Collector’s Guide, Volume 5 | Sabiru Treasures — Tsukuba, Japan
In Japanese flower arrangement (kadō / ikebana) and tokonoma display, a flower vessel (hanaire or ichirin-zashi) is never merely a neutral container. Its silhouette, mouth aperture, and surface texture establish a visual dialogue with a single branch or blossom—and stand on their own as sculpture when displayed empty.
In this fifth volume of the Sabiru Treasures Collector’s Guide, we compare eight active ceramic and metalwork vessels across Mashiko, Kasama, Seto, Kutani, Ikenobō copperware, and Nambu cast iron.
1. Black Glaze and Pebble Geometry: Mashiko, Kasama, and Contemporary Studio Hanaire
Across the northern Kantō kilns of Mashiko (Tochigi Prefecture) and Kasama (Ibaraki Prefecture), modern studio potters have transformed the small flower vessel into compact architectural sculpture, using iron-saturated black glazes and incised linear accents.
Sakata Jinnai (坂田甚内, b. 1943) — Sculptural Black Ceramic Orb Vase, Mashiko: A taut spherical stoneware form with a narrow aperture and disciplined surface geometry characteristic of Sakata’s Mashiko studio practice. View Lot 107834637 on Catawiki ↗
Kōji Arata (荒田耕治, 1938–2022) — Black-Glazed Ichirin-zashi Vase, Kasama Ware: Rich, dark iron-black glaze over a poised Kasama single-stem bottle silhouette. View Lot 107764507 on Catawiki ↗
Hiroki Hayakawa — Studio Ceramic Hanaire Vase in Pebble Form with Black Glaze: An organic pebble-shaped stoneware body whose matte black surface contrasts with subtle mineral markings. View Lot 107800514 on Catawiki ↗
2. Turquoise Glaze and Narrative Overglaze: Shinshō Kiln and Kutani Mansaku
Where iron glazes absorb light, copper-bearing turquoise glazes and Kutani polychrome enamels reflect it, bringing vivid colour accents to an alcove or shelf.
Kenji Katō (Shinshō Kiln) — Turquoise-Glaze Rounded Hanaire Flower Vase (14 cm): A rounded stoneware vase coated in vibrant copper-turquoise glaze with natural pooling around the shoulder and foot. View Lot 107799833 on Catawiki ↗
Kutani Mansaku (九谷万作) — Ceramic Vase with Rabbits and Plum Blossom: Warm crackled ground painted with lively rabbits beneath flowering plum branches, bearing the Kutani Mansaku mark. View Lot 107689308 on Catawiki ↗
3. Metalwork for the Alcove: Ikenobō Copper, Nambu Cast Iron, and Auspicious Bronze
Metal vessels bring a distinct weight and patina to flower display. Hammered or cast copper alloys develop warm russet-brown tones (furukane), while Nambu cast iron (Nambu Tekki) from Iwate Prefecture pairs textured sand-cast surfaces with bold modernist silhouettes.
Ikenobō Ichimonji Copper Ikebana Vase (25.2 × 22.2 cm): Classic wide-disc ichimonji silhouette designed for classical and modern Ikenobō arrangements, showcasing warm copper patination. View Lot 107835063 on Catawiki ↗
Oitomi Hōshōdō — Yin-Yang Nambu Cast-Iron Vase (Japanese Modernist Design): A sculptural cast-iron flower vessel from Oitomi (Hōshōdō, Ōshū, Iwate) uniting traditional arare / textured iron casting with modernist Yin-Yang geometry. View Lot 107093624 on Catawiki ↗
Waun Watanabe — “Fukuryū” Auspicious Dragon Metalwork Sculpture: Dynamic relief modelling of an ascending dragon emerging through clouds, demonstrating fine Japanese metal carving and patination. View Lot 107000696 on Catawiki ↗
4. Explore Active Listings & Archive
Browse our Past Treasures Archive, submit a specific question via Collector’s Inquiry, or view all live auctions on Sabiru Treasures on Catawiki.
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