Yuri-Ginsai Pale Azure Rising Steam Pattern Vase

Nakada Kazuo introduces a contemporary sensibility to Kutani ware through his innovative yuri-ginsai technique. Designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage, commonly referred to as a Living National Treasure, he incorporates silver beneath a translucent soft blue glaze, reshaping inherited ceramic traditions into compositions marked by restraint, nuance, and depth.

Across the surface, layered tatewakumon (rising steam pattern)—precisely cut from silver leaf—unfold in succession. This auspicious Japanese design features paired, undulating lines arranged vertically, swelling gently at their centers and tapering toward the ends. Traditionally associated with rising steam, the pattern symbolizes the ascent of fortune and the continuous flow of vital energy. As the viewing angle shifts, light moves softly across the form, revealing and concealing the motifs in measured rhythm. This interplay of luminosity and shadow lends the work a poised dynamism, infusing the surface with quiet tension and subtle sophistication.

Silver forms the foundation of this piece, prized for its natural lucidity and restraint. Over it flows Nakada’s original glaze, tansei—a pale azure hue that drapes the surface like a light veil, softening the metal’s radiance into a gentle blue luminosity. Acting as a filter for light, this diaphanous layer shifts silver’s cool clarity toward a quieter, more meditative expression. At once contemporary and restrained, the finish evokes early mist and the faint glow beneath calm water. Beyond its chromatic role, tansei articulates spatial depth and imparts a lasting sense of calm, encouraging slow and attentive viewing.

A belief in continual renewal lies at the core of this vase, where inherited craftsmanship meets personal inquiry. More than visual presence alone, it offers a lasting connection to Japan’s living ceramic heritage—shaped by dedication, creative insight, and time.

Nakada Kazuo

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.

Kutani Ware

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.