Vase Gourd Shape Green Seigaiha (blue ocean wave pattern) and Gourd design | Fukuji Kitamura Traditional Craftsperson work [264004]

[size]
Width: 11.5cm / Height: 23cm
Width: 4.5in / Height: 9.1in

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A Masterwork by Fukuji Kitamura, a Leading Artisan in the Art of Arita Ware

This charming porcelain piece in the shape of a hy?tan (gourd) is the work of Fukuji Kitamura, a renowned master of overglaze painting and a designated Traditional Craftsman who has long embodied the harmony of tradition and innovation in Arita ware. Though now retired due to age, his numerous creations continue to enchant and inspire admirers to this day.
His style?refined through decades of experience and his own unique sensibility?is truly a crystallization of beauty that transcends time.

The piece features a clever design: a gourd-shaped vessel adorned with the motif of the hy?tan itself. The background is meticulously filled with seigaiha (blue ocean wave) patterns, imbuing the work with both rhythm and elegance through its gentle, overlapping waves.
Accents such as the vivid red cord and touches of gold add brightness and festive charm, making the piece both refined and auspicious in nature.
With its distinctive shape and visual presence, it is well-suited as a decorative object, a celebratory gift, or a commemorative keepsake.

The unique gourd form, known as hy?kei, also carries symbolic meaning. Since ancient times, the gourd has been considered a symbol of "abundance and prosperity" as well as "harmony and stability."
Its rounded form represents bountifulness, with the broad base implying "capacity"?suggesting the increase of fortune or happiness.
Additionally, the balanced shape of the upper and lower sections symbolizes harmony, making it a beloved auspicious motif especially favored for wishes of family well-being and balanced human relationships.


[Potter Profile]
Fukuji Kitamura
Designated Traditional Craftsman

A recognized master of overglaze painting in porcelain
Now retired at over 90 years old; resides in Arita, Saga Prefecture

An overglaze painter is the one who brings life to the pristine white surface of porcelain.
Using a single brush, the artisan breathes color into the vessel, transforming it from mere pottery into a vivid, living work of art. With intricate composition, unwavering brushstrokes, and a sensitivity embedded in each hue, Kitamura’s artistry elevates porcelain to the realm of fine art.
His mastery shines through in every piece and leaves a lasting impression across time.


Born in Arita, Saga Prefecture in 1932
Entered the field of ceramics after World War II
Founded the Kitamura Overglaze Studio at the age of 30
Certified as a Traditional Craftsman of Arita Ware in 1990
Appointed Chairman of the Saga Prefecture Overglaze Painting Cooperative in 1991
Held solo exhibitions in Ginza (Tokyo) and throughout Fukuoka Prefecture from the 1990s onward

Known for his representative masterpiece series: T?kaid? Goj?santsugi (The 53 Stations of the T?kaid?)