Vintage Japanese Mino Iga Kensui, Signed Kotaro, Heisei (1990-2018) | SKU: 26M-950

Vintage Japanese Mino Iga Kensui, Signed Kotaro, Heisei (1990-2018) | SKU: 26M-950

A signed Mino Iga kensui with bold natural glazes, an earthy cylindrical form, and strong tea-ceremony presence.

This handcrafted Japanese stoneware vessel is a kensui (建水), the waste-water bowl used in chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony. The form is low and open with straight sides, a broad mouth, and a stable recessed foot, all consistent with a functional tea utensil made to sit beside the tea bowl during use. The surface shows a richly textured Mino Iga character, with sandy buff clay, pale ash-toned glaze, iron spotting, and a dramatic dark vertical glaze panel accented by flowing cream drips. The interior is fully glazed in a warm amber tone, while the base bears the potter's impressed seal. The accompanying wooden tomobako is inscribed "Mino Iga Kensui" and signed by the potter, Kotaro, confirming this as a boxed artist-made work.

Beyond the tea room, this kensui also makes a striking display piece for collectors of Japanese studio ceramics and wabi-sabi decor. Its robust silhouette and expressive glaze effects pair beautifully with natural wood, stone, and linen interiors, whether placed on a shelf, in a tokonoma-style display, or among a ceramics collection. A thoughtful gift for tea practitioners, collectors of signed Japanese pottery, or anyone drawn to the tactile beauty of Mino ware.

• Origin: Japan; Mino Iga style
• Era: 1990-2018 (Heisei)
• Material: Glazed stoneware
• Use: Kensui (waste-water bowl) for use in the Japanese tea ceremony
• Modern Use: Tea room utensil; Japanese ceramic display; wabi-sabi shelf accent
• Features: Signed artist work by potter Kotaro; accompanying tomobako inscribed "Mino Iga Kensui" with artist name and seal; cylindrical open form; recessed foot; impressed potter's mark on base; layered ash-toned and iron glazes with expressive drips and speckling
• Dimensions: 5" Diameter x 3 1/2"H
• Condition: Excellent

A beautifully boxed piece of vintage Japanese studio pottery, combining tea-ceremony function with the rugged elegance of Mino Iga aesthetics.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.