Painted gray glaze water finger Nobuto Nakaoka

Height: 16.8cm Width: 20.0cm

The colored gray-glazed water jar is a work that combines the outstanding technique of Nobuhito Nakaoka with the essence of contemporary art. The universal white spherical shape quietly moves the viewer. The color of the glaze appears to be both indigo and ink, and the elegant coloring gives off a refined beauty.

This water jar expresses traditional Japanese beauty with cutting-edge design, and its form is as sophisticated as modern art. The glaze is white with a hint of yellow, making it a piece that can be enjoyed in both color and shape.

Complex and beautifully colored ash glaze

The glaze of the colored ash-glazed water jar is not merely a combination of colors, but contains countless expressions. The subtle color gradations and patterns created by the temperature changes during firing and the environment inside the kiln spread across the entire water jar, making it look like an abstract painting painted by nature. Its beauty has a charm that goes beyond words and captivates the viewer.

Harmony with Nature

The glaze that spreads over the surface of the water jar condenses the beauty of the natural world. The visual depth created by these hues brings a meditative sense of calm and serenity to the tea ceremony. The viewer can sense the natural scenery unfolding within the water jar and calm their mind.

Zen beauty

The colored ash-glazed water jar has a beauty that evokes the spirit of Zen. The complex expression of the glaze evokes various associations in the viewer, offering a moment of deep meditation. Through this water jar, you will be able to feel a sense of unity with nature and the beauty of impermanence.

Craftsmanship and artistry

The colored ash-glazed water jars are works that bring together the outstanding technique and artistry of skilled craftsmen. They are crafted with the utmost care to bring out the beauty of the glaze to the fullest. Their intricate construction and high-quality finish are proof that each one was painstakingly made.

Create a special moment

This colored ash-glazed water jar will make your tea ceremony even more special. The beautiful expression of the glaze brings a special atmosphere to your tea ceremony and gives you a sense of comfortable satisfaction. You will be captivated by its beauty and functionality every time you use it.

Lasting Value

The colored gray glaze water jar will continue to retain its beauty even over time. The more you use it, the more its texture will improve, and you will gradually grow to love it more and more. It is sure to become a treasured item that you can use for a long time.

The colored ash-glazed water jar by Nobuhito Nakaoka is a supreme work of art that combines the beauty of nature and human skill. Its Zen-like beauty and meditative charm will make your tea ceremony moment even more special.

Profile of Nobuhito Nakaoka

1977 Born in Osaka
1996 After graduating from high school, he studied under Tanba ware artist "Nishibata Tadashi"
2001 Graduated from Kyoto City Industrial Research Institute Ceramics Department
2003: Assigned to Saint Vincent as a member of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers
2005 Term ended. Returned to Japan.
2006 Became independent in Tachikui, Sasayama City

Selected Works Awards
2010 Selected for the Hagi Grand Prize Exhibition of Contemporary Ceramics
2011 Kobe Biennale 2011 Contemporary Ceramic Art Competition Selected
2012 Selected for the 29th Tanabe Museum of Art Grand Prize Exhibition of Tea Ceremony Art (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020)
Selected for the Itami International Craft Exhibition: Sake Ware and Sake Cup Stand
2013 30th Tanabe Museum of Art Grand Prize, Tea Ceremony Formation Exhibition, Excellence Award Kobe Biennale 2013, Contemporary Ceramic Art Competition, Semi-Grand Prize 31st Chozo Prize Tokoname Ceramic Art Exhibition, Selected Contemporary Ceramic Art Hagi Grand Prize Exhibition III, Honorable Mention
2014 10th International Ceramic Exhibition Mino International Ceramic Competition Selected
2015 Kobe Biennale 2015 Contemporary Ceramic Art Competition Selected 32nd Chozo Prize Tokoname Ceramic Art Exhibition Selected
2017 Selected for the 10th Contemporary Tea Ceramics Exhibition
2018 Selected for the Japan Ceramic Association Encouragement Award Kansai Exhibition
2019 Selected for the 12th Contemporary Tea Ceramics Exhibition
Selected for the 25th Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition Contemporary Ceramic Art Hagi Grand Prize Exhibition V Excellence Award
2020 13th Contemporary Tea Ceramics Exhibition Selected
Selected for the 2021 Kasama Ceramic Art Grand Prize Exhibition

Exhibition
2009 Kobe Art Marche (until 2015)
2010 Kobe Sogo Group Kiln Exhibition
2011 Toyoda Sake Ware Midsummer Cold Sake Cup Exhibition (2012 2013)
Art Salon Yamaki Tanba-yaki "Group Kiln" Three-person Exhibition Hanshin Umeda Main Store New Artist Ceramics Exhibition 2012 Gallery Voice Bowl Shape Sake Ware Toyoda Solo Exhibition Matsuzakaya Nagoya Store Three Young Tanba Artists Exhibition Seibu Shibuya Solo Exhibition Kobe Sogo Group Kiln Exhibition Ie soleil et la lune Nakaoka Nobuto Ceramics Exhibition
2013 Toyoda Sake Ware Solo Exhibition Wad "My Cup Clothes Exhibition" Group Exhibition Art Salon Yamaki Solo Exhibition
2014 Kobe Sogo Group Kiln Exhibition Identity & Originarity ~ Contemporary Ceramics New Collection Exhibition ~ Hyogo Ceramic Art Museum Kochi Daimaru 4-person Exhibition
decoplay (Taiwan) 3-person exhibition at Seibu Shibuya store ~En~
Art Salon Yamaki Solo Exhibition
2015 Ritz Carlton Osaka Group Exhibition Toyoda Sake Ware Solo Exhibition Torin Shungama 3 Person Exhibition Matsuzakaya Nagoya Solo Exhibition Tosei Nagaoka Group Exhibition lesoleil et la lune Solo Exhibition Deco play (Taiwan) Group Exhibition Takashimaya Yokohama Group Exhibition
2016 Contemporary Art - Life & Art - "Ceramics that add color to your life, tableware" Higashihiroshima Municipal Museum of Art Hankyu Umeda Solo Exhibition "Nobuhito Nakaoka's 10th Anniversary Exhibition"
MIZEN FINE ART Tea Ceremony Exhibition (France)
Kakiden Gallery "TANBA: Tea Ceremony Exhibition by 10 Artists"
"Rencontre: Intersecting Contemporary Ceramic Collection" Invited to exhibit at the TEA BOUL Exhibition of Gyeongsangnam-Do, Hyogo Ceramic Art Museum (Korea)
2017 Gallery Voice "Today's Tableware, Tomorrow's Tableware"
REVELATION Art Fair 2017 at the Grand Parisi (France)
Fukuoka Mitsukoshi Solo Exhibition Kakiden Gallery "Four Ideas Pottery Exhibition"
2018 Deco play (Taiwan) Solo Exhibition Hankyu Umeda Main Store Solo Exhibition Kakiden Gallery Tamba Exhibition Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store "Feature on Tea Bowls by Contemporary Artists"
Nagoya Sakae Mitsukoshi Solo Exhibition
2019 Ginza Mitsukoshi Tea Ceremony Two-Person Exhibition Sake Ware Toyoda Solo Exhibition (Kyoto)
Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store "Special Feature on Tea Bowls by Contemporary Artists"
2020 Solo Exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store "Ultramarine and Lyricism"
2021 Solo Exhibition at Hankyu Umeda Main Store Solo Exhibition at Fukuoka Mitsukoshi
2022 Contemporary Ceramics Hagi Grand Prize VI Selected

2023 Solo Exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store "Exploring Form"

2024 Fukuoka Mitsukoshi Solo Exhibition Kyoto Takashimaya Solo Exhibition

Public Collections, Hyogo Prefectural Ceramic Art Museum, Tanabe Museum of Art, Yamaguchi Prefectural Hagi Museum of Art