JPY 2,000,000

Ceramics & pottery

designer

Makuzu Kozan

materials

Ceramic

technique

Painted

dimensions

Height: 40.5cm Diameter: 35cm

culture

Japanese

provenance

Inscription by Tanabe Tetsujin

This elegant vase, produced by the renowned Makuzu Kozan workshop, is decorated with an animated procession of swimming crabs rendered against a luminous ivory-white ground. The composition captures the vitality of coastal life with remarkable naturalism while maintaining the refined balance characteristic of Japanese ceramic art.Each crab is meticulously painted, displaying finely observed details of the carapace, articulated legs, and sharply defined claws. Delicate gradations of olive green, brown, and soft violet lend depth and realism to the decoration, while the varied poses create a dynamic rhythm that extends gracefully around the vessel.The generous use of negative space enhances the sense of movement, evoking crabs traversing shallow tidal waters. Combining painterly elegance with exceptional ceramic craftsmanship, the work exemplifies the refined decorative style for which the Makuzu Kozan workshop is celebrated.The vase is accompanied by an inscription by the noted Japanese art historian Tanabe Tetsujin, further enhancing its scholarly interest and provenance.Makuzu Kozan is among the most celebrated names in modern Japanese ceramics. The first-generation master, Miyagawa Kozan [1842-1916], achieved international acclaim through his participation in major world expositions, including the 1873 Vienna World‘s Fair. His innovative combination of technical virtuosity, sculptural relief, and naturalistic decoration established the Makuzu workshop as one of Japan‘s foremost ceramic studios. Today, works by Makuzu Kozan are preserved in major museum collections worldwide and remain highly sought after by collectors.