Discover the Artistry of Japanese Craftsmanship

"Kinsen" means heasrtstring in Japanese.  May these treasures touch your kinsen.

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Antique small Owan bowl with gold maki-e decoration. This compact bowl is decorated with traditional maki-e, a refined lacquer technique in which gold powder is applied to create delicate motifs. Urushi (Japanese lacquer) has natural antibacterial properties and strengthens the wood. It can be repeatedly harvested from the same tree, making it an environmentally sustainable natural finish.

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White Sake bottle by Kazuaki Shinpo (1984-)

Kazuaki Shinpo is a contemporary Bizen ware artist born in Okayama Prefecture in 1984.  After completing his training at the Bizen Pottery Training Center, he studied under Kazunari Hashimoto and has received recognition through numerous juried exhibitions, including the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition and the Bizen Contemporary Ceramics Biennale. 

His work reflects the enduring traditions of Bizen pottery while exploring contemporary ceramic expression.

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Japanese pottery for Kintsugi repair.

Several items available now.

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Studio pottery vase finished in a soft olive-green glaze with fine crackled texture and subtle tonal variation.  The rounded body and tall cylindrical neck create a calm, sculptural silhouette, while small red clay accents applied by hand introduce an unexpected visual tension against the muted surface.

Fine crackles spread gently across the surface, and the natural movement of the glaze creates soft transitions in color and texture. The subdued palette and carefully placed red accents give the piece an almost abstract, sculptural presence.

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Koishiwara ware rice bowl featuring striped decoration and a warm natural glaze.

The rhythmic horizontal patterns and earthy texture reflect the traditional aesthetics of Japanese folk pottery.

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Mashiko ware cup finished in a soft turquoise glaze with flowing natural patterns and subtle crackled texture. 

Originally designed as a soba choko cup for dipping soba noodles into sauce, it is also well suited for coffee, tea, or other everyday drinks.  The contrast between the pale clay body and vivid glaze creates a calm yet distinctive presence typical of handmade Mashiko pottery.

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Beautiful bamboo flower basket by Matasiro Isogai. The small vessel is designed for the subtle arrangement of a single flower or a delicate seasonal branch.

Its elegant silhouette and refined balance also make it ideal as an interior display object.

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Hand-woven with a very high level of skill.

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Antique small dish made by old hand-transfer technique called INBAN. Among the many Inban plates that exist, this piece stands out for its especially thin construction and beautifully refined form. 

INBAN plates have been loved by the common people since the Edo period. The process of making an inban involves wetting the transfer paper and printing it by hand on a three-dimensional surface.  In the process of transferring, shades of color, pattern omissions, blotches, cuts, and misalignments are created.

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Antique small dish made by old hand-transfer technique called INBAN. Made at least 100 years ago. 

INBAN plates have been loved by the common people since the Edo period. The process of making an inban involves wetting the transfer paper and printing it by hand on a three-dimensional surface.  In the process of transferring, shades of color, pattern omissions, blotches, cuts, and misalignments are created.

Although it is a mass-produced printed material, each piece is made by hand, so the design may be missing or misaligned, and this is what makes it unique. I find this delightful and fascinating. The patterns are not only stylishly graphic, but also diverse, reflecting the times with motifs of current fashions and buildings of the time.

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Katakuchi bowl, a traditional Japanese vessel distinguished by a spouted rim on one side, suitable for a variety of uses. 

It can be used as a small serving bowl or dressing container, and also as a vessel for pouring sake.

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Tetsubin has a 400-year history rooted in the Japanese Tea Ceremony and is valued worldwide for its elegant craftsmanship and its ability to enhance the flavor of water—making tea taste richer, milder, and smoother.

It also releases trace amounts of iron into the water, offering health benefits, especially for those with low iron levels.

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Beautiful sake bottle by Tomoyuki Matsui (1931-) Comes with an original wooden box with artists signature.

Bizen Pottery is produced in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, and is the oldest of the six oldest kilns in Japan. It is an ultimately simple pottery that uses no glaze and no painting.

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Nice lavender color tea cup from Hagi Ware in Yamaguchi prefecture. This plate will gradually develop a beautiful vintage look with continued use.

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Tea cup finished in a beautiful milky white glaze.  The surface has a soft matte texture, while the small foot gives the form an elegant and refined presence. Slightly smaller than regular Japanese tea cup.

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Tea cup by Toshio Furukawa (born in Kyoto in 1949)  His glazes are highly distinctive, creating crackle patterns that resemble fractured ice. 

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Tea cup by Toshio Furukawa (born in Kyoto in 1949)  His glazes are highly distinctive, creating crackle patterns that resemble fractured ice.  This cup is one of his signature works.

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