This is a plate by the Mashiko potter Ken Matsuzaki (born 1950), decorated with a swirling pattern in green and blue glazes. It comes without a tomobako or other accessories, and an incised mark cut with a spatula appears on the underside of the base. Our shop proposes this plate as a dish for snacks to accompany aged spirits and whisky.
Matsuzaki was born in Tokyo in 1950, the third son of the Nihonga painter Shuki Matsuzaki. He majored in ceramics in the Department of Art at Tamagawa University and, after graduating in 1972, studied in Mashiko under Tatsuzo Shimaoka, holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property for "Mingei Pottery (Jomon Zogan Inlay)." In 1977, he built his own kiln in the town of Mashiko and became independent, and he continues to work there to this day. Within the Kokugakai art association, he received the Nojima Prize in 1980 and the Associate Member's Excellence Prize in 1984, and became a full member in 1986.
The Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art describes Matsuzaki as an artist who produces many tea ceramics, including Oribe, Shino, and Ki-Seto, and who values the expressions that arise through yohen (kiln transformation). The museum also notes that his works, born of his advanced wood-firing techniques, are highly regarded both in Japan and abroad, and describes him as one of the best-known Japanese potters in the United Kingdom and the United States. The museum held a solo exhibition of his work from October 2025 to January 2026. His works are held in collections including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in the United States, and Leicester Museums & Galleries in the United Kingdom.
In this piece, fine lines rise in multiple spiraling rings from the center of the well outward. Where the lines stand up, the glaze thins and the clay shows through as slender golden-toned streaks, while green and deep blue glazes pool between the lines, the two colors parting as if flowing along the spiral. Fine crazing runs across the entire glazed surface. A band of green glaze encircles the rim, where throwing marks from the wheel remain as steps. The underside has a broad, flat, unglazed base, and along the edge of the glazing, glassy pools of glaze and a thin scarlet line can be seen. As the types of glaze and the type of kiln used for firing cannot be determined with certainty from external appearance, we refrain from stating them.
As to condition, there is one small chip-like depression on the underside, at the boundary between the edge of the glaze and the unglazed base. No cracks or fractures extend from this spot, and it does not affect the function of the plate. It sits in a position that cannot be seen from the front, and even when the plate is turned over, it is small enough to go unnoticed unless looked for carefully. The fine lines visible in the well are glaze crazing, not cracks in the body.
The period of production cannot be determined, as the piece has no tomobako, biographical leaflet, or other accessories, and bears no date. It was made in or after 1977, the year the artist built his kiln in Mashiko.
- Artist: Ken Matsuzaki (born 1950)
- Selected Career Highlights: [1950] Born in Tokyo, the third son of the Nihonga painter Shuki Matsuzaki; [1972] Graduated in ceramics from the Department of Art, Tamagawa University, and began studying under Tatsuzo Shimaoka; [1977] Built his kiln in the town of Mashiko; [1978] Solo exhibition at the Keio Department Store Shinjuku (held annually thereafter); [1980] Nojima Prize, Kokugakai; [1984] Associate Member's Excellence Prize, Kokugakai; [1986] Became a full member of the Kokugakai; [2025] Solo exhibition at the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art (through 2026)
- Museum Collections: Los Angeles County Museum of Art (USA), Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (USA), Leicester Museums & Galleries (UK), and others
- Period of Production: 1977 or later (based on the year the artist built his kiln; exact date unknown)
- Condition: Good (one small chip-like depression at the edge of the glaze on the underside; no cracks or fractures, no effect on function)
- Accessories: None
- Material: Stoneware
- Dimensions: Diameter approx. 19.3 cm, Height approx. 3.0 cm
- Notice: All items offered by our shop, even those that are new and unused, were produced a very long time ago and are therefore listed as pre-owned. Items may show age-related wear or damage. Please understand this and review the details carefully before deciding to purchase.
