A Rice Porcelain Vase by Wakao Kei


Artist:Wakao KeiEra:ContemporaryPrice:SoldInquire:info@shirakuragallery.com

According to Kei Wakao, the artist who crafted this extraordinary work, it took him years of trial-and-error to perfect the unique rice-porcelain glaze covering this finely shaped vase. Not only was it a challenge to achieve the demure milky translucence of the glaze—similar to the appearance of a grain of rice when held to the light—but also to get the right flowing consistency and pooling effect in desired areas.

Born in 1974 as the eldest son to a well-established kiln in the town of Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture; Wakao took up the family craft from a young age and later went on to conduct formal studies at university. After graduating he exhibited widely and continually strove to generate new and interesting clay forms. His talent for perfecting difficult and innovative glazes gained him some notoriety and, as a result, he has won a number of awards including first prize at the Kanazawa International Ceramics Festival in 1998 and the following year at the Shigaraki Ceramics Arts Exhibition. Today he is a well-known name in the world of Japanese ceramic arts, and has gained a large following overseas.

In excellent condition this piece is 4.6 inches in diameter (11.8cm), and stands 8.4 inches tall (21.3cm). It comes with its original wood box signed by the artist (tomobako) and an informational insert made from traditional Japanese paper (washi) detailing the artist and the kiln.