Painted gray glaze water finger Nobuto Nakaoka

Height: 16.8cm Width: 20.0cm

Colored ash-glazed water jar by Nobuhito Nakaoka - Supreme beauty born from the fusion of nature and craftsmanship

The trajectory of ceramic artist Nobuhito Nakaoka

Driven by his passion for pottery, Nakaoka Nobuhito began his training in Tanba, and after six years of training, he developed a deeper desire for inquiry and began researching glazes at the Kyoto Municipal Industrial Research Institute. He then taught pottery overseas as a member of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, opening up new possibilities for pottery in a different culture. In 2006, he went independent in Kui, Sasayama, and is dedicated to creating works based on his belief that "I want to create beautiful, functional objects that cherish the beauty of form and color."

Nakaoka's works reflect his technique and sensibility as a master glaze craftsman, and their beauty is a perfect blend of natural scenery and artistry. In particular, the "Colored Ash Glaze" series is loved by many for its complex expressions created by the flow and color of the glaze, and its texture deepens the more it is used.

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The appeal of colored ash-glazed water jars

Complex and beautiful glaze expression

The colored ash-glazed water jars are characterized by the accidental beauty that is produced by the temperature during firing and the environment inside the kiln. The deep shades of indigo and ink create subtle gradations, with hints of yellow and white mixed in to create a glaze landscape that looks like an abstract painting drawn by nature. The flow of the glaze and the minute patterns are the result of Nakaoka's unique skills, which are a testament to his extensive research into glazes, and they breathe life into the pieces.

Harmony with nature and the spirit of Zen

The colored gray-glazed water jar evokes a sense of harmony with nature through its color and shape. The glaze patterns that appear on the surface of the water jar are reminiscent of the magnificent landscapes of the natural world, such as mountains, seas of clouds, and starry skies. Through this piece, the user can feel the breath of nature and calm their mind. Furthermore, its complex beauty is imbued with the Zen spirit, embodying the beauty of impermanence in the tea ceremony.

Fusion of modern art and Japanese culture

The shape of this water jar is a simple and universal sphere, yet its sophisticated design evokes the essence of contemporary art. The white glaze with a hint of yellow is the result of a fusion of traditional Japanese beauty and modern sensibility. The design shows a new expression from any angle, and can be enjoyed not only as an art piece but also as an accent for the tea ceremony.

Master craftsmanship and attention to detail

Nobuhito Nakaoka's work shines with his outstanding technique and thorough attention to detail. This water jar, too, is a product of careful calculation of everything from the mixture of glazes to firing, and is completed through the skill of a craftsman. The design makes use of the flow of the glaze, and no two pieces are the same, giving each piece a unique presence.

Make your tea ceremony experience special

The colored ash-glazed water jar makes the tea ceremony even more special. The beautiful glaze creates a special atmosphere in the tea ceremony, creating a meditative moment. At a tea ceremony, the presence of this water jar goes beyond its function as a tea utensil and enriches the entire space.

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Lasting value and beauty

The colored ash-glazed water jar will develop a unique character over time, cultivating a special relationship with the user. It is a masterpiece that can be used for a lifetime and is a valuable piece that can be passed down to the next generation. Its tranquil yet powerful beauty will make it an irreplaceable item for those who love the tea ceremony. Please pick up a "Colored Ash-glazed Water Jar by Nakaoka Nobuto" and enjoy its profound beauty and usability. The special moments this piece brings will enrich your life.

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 Tanba Young Artists Three-person 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 Store Solo Exhibition Tosei Nagaoka Store Group Exhibition lesoleil et la lune Solo Exhibition Deco play (Taiwan) Group Exhibition Takashimaya Yokohama Store Group Exhibition
2016 Contemporary Art - Life & Art - "Ceramics that add color to your life, food utensils" 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