Yuri-Ginsai Pale Azure Circular Pattern Vase
Through his pioneering yuri-ginsai technique, Nakada Kazuo reimagines traditional ceramics with a distinctly modern sensibility, allowing silver to emerge beneath a translucent glaze in compositions of remarkable depth and nuance. Designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage, commonly referred to as a Living National Treasure, Nakada brings centuries-old Kutani traditions to life with unparalleled artistry.
Marumon (circular patterns) cut from silver leaf unfolds across the vessel’s surface in a layered arrangement. Varying in scale and dispersed beneath the glaze, these forms are punctuated by small gold-leaf circles that appear like distant points of light against a quiet night sky. As the viewing angle shifts, their luminosity gently emerges and recedes, creating a measured composition shaped by moving light. The refined silver patterns seem to hover within the glaze itself, lending the piece a restrained yet palpable sense of tension.
Silver carries an inherent clarity and composure. Over it rests Nakada's original glaze tansei—a pale azure glaze that settles like a soft veil, tempering the metal’s brilliance into a translucent blue resonance. This delicate wash filters the light, transforming silver’s coolness into a more contemplative presence. Subtle and modern in character, the surface evokes both early morning mist and the faint shimmer beneath still water. More than a color, tansei establishes spatial depth and imparts an enduring stillness, allowing the work to unfold slowly over time.
More than a vessel, this work reflects Nakada’s belief that tradition must continue to evolve. By uniting centuries-old craftsmanship with innovative expression, the vase stands as a reflection of an artist who persistently pursues new possibilities. It offers not only visual beauty, but a lasting connection to Japan’s living ceramic heritage—an object shaped by mastery, vision, and time.
DETAILS
| Quantity | 1 |
| Size |
D 21 cm (8.3 in) x H 23 cm (9.1 in) [Size of opening] D 3.7 cm (1.5 in) |
| Weight | 1850 g (65.3 oz) |
| Material | Porcelain |
| Package Type | Wooden box |
Maker / Brand
His porcelain is marked by remarkable clarity and depth of color, with blues that evoke the sky and sea, both rich and luminous. Even within the world of Kutani ware—famed for its vibrant polychrome palettes—his work commands an overwhelming presence. This is not achieved through traditional pigments, but through a masterful technique unique to Nakada Kazuo: a fusion of silver leaf and translucent glazes that has given birth to an entirely new realm of Kutani porcelain.
Crafts
Kutani ware is a pottery produced in the Kaga region of Ishikawa Prefecture, with a history spanning over 350 years. It is characterized by the heavy brilliance of the five colors of navy blue, red, purple, green, and yellow that are applied to the bold and daring lines. Its long history has evolved through the tireless efforts and enthusiasm of people who have sought innovation while maintaining tradition.
Choose options
About Artist
Musubi Gallery
Since its inception, MUSUBI KILN has strived to introduce the world to the finest traditional crafts from masters all around Japan.
Here, in the Gallery, we seek to showcase the highest echelon of traditional techniques passed down through generations. You can discover works from masters who have not only perfected those methods, but added their imagination to innovate the craft even further.
Some of these masters have even been named Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage, a title bestowed upon them by the Japanese government to formally recognize their contribution to crafts and culture — thereby cementing their legacy and making them an important part of art history.
Each piece is meticulously handcrafted over many months to create a timeless treasure that's unlike any other. And when it's in your home, you, too, will become part of that history.
Welcome to the Gallery. Please, peruse at your leisure.
