An elegant, slender-necked porcelain vase decorated with a repeating pattern of silver plum blossoms against a deep black, Tenmoku-style glaze.
Crafted in the Arita porcelain tradition, this piece showcases the fine porcelain body and sophisticated glazing techniques associated with the region. Its glossy, dark surface contrasts beautifully with the textured metallic floral motifs, which subtly catch the light around the vase. Near the neck, the glaze transitions into softly mottled brown tones, adding depth and variation.
The silver plum blossom decoration reflects Fujii Shumei’s wider interest in natural motifs and seasonal imagery, themes for which he became known in contemporary Arita porcelain.
The unglazed base reveals the fine white porcelain body and bears the artist’s incised signature.
Dimensions
• Diameter: 13.0 cm
• Height: 21.2 cm
• Weight: 764 g
• Wooden identification plaque (ki-fuda): 4.0 × 3.7 × 6.4 cm
Condition
No chips, cracks or restorations.
About the Artist
Fujii Shumei / 藤井 朱明 (1936–2017)
Born into a family of potters in Arita, Saga Prefecture, Fujii Shumei began his career at the age of fifteen, working for local decoration studios and ceramics companies. In 1974, he established his own studio, Shumei-gama.
He was a prominent participant in the Nitten (Japan Fine Arts Exhibition), first accepted in 1962, with fifteen consecutive acceptances thereafter. His works were acquired on six occasions by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He held several distinguished positions, including membership of the Japan Pottery Exhibition and the chairmanship of the West Kyushu New Craft Association. He is particularly recognised for his distinctive “tree-leaf technique” and landscape decoration on Arita porcelain.
An elegant, slender-necked porcelain vase decorated with a repeating pattern of silver plum blossoms against a deep black, Tenmoku-style glaze.
Crafted in the Arita porcelain tradition, this piece showcases the fine porcelain body and sophisticated glazing techniques associated with the region. Its glossy, dark surface contrasts beautifully with the textured metallic floral motifs, which subtly catch the light around the vase. Near the neck, the glaze transitions into softly mottled brown tones, adding depth and variation.
The silver plum blossom decoration reflects Fujii Shumei’s wider interest in natural motifs and seasonal imagery, themes for which he became known in contemporary Arita porcelain.
The unglazed base reveals the fine white porcelain body and bears the artist’s incised signature.
Dimensions
• Diameter: 13.0 cm
• Height: 21.2 cm
• Weight: 764 g
• Wooden identification plaque (ki-fuda): 4.0 × 3.7 × 6.4 cm
Condition
No chips, cracks or restorations.
About the Artist
Fujii Shumei / 藤井 朱明 (1936–2017)
Born into a family of potters in Arita, Saga Prefecture, Fujii Shumei began his career at the age of fifteen, working for local decoration studios and ceramics companies. In 1974, he established his own studio, Shumei-gama.
He was a prominent participant in the Nitten (Japan Fine Arts Exhibition), first accepted in 1962, with fifteen consecutive acceptances thereafter. His works were acquired on six occasions by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He held several distinguished positions, including membership of the Japan Pottery Exhibition and the chairmanship of the West Kyushu New Craft Association. He is particularly recognised for his distinctive “tree-leaf technique” and landscape decoration on Arita porcelain.
