Kaneta Masanao, Untitled (Monumental Vase), Undated

Ceramic
31 x 22 x 43 cm 
Condition: Very good

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Kaneta Masanao (Japanese, b. 1953) is an eighth-generation Hagi potter. His works have been exhibited extensively in Japan and are held in numerous museum collections internationally, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.

Masanao’s deep connection to tradition has never hindered him from pushing the boundaries of the form. His pieces are often recognised for their strong, dramatic presence, setting them apart from other works within the traditional ceramic scene. Drawing on ancestral techniques, he creates both functional and non-functional contemporary forms that are distinctly his own.

Kirinuki, his signature technique – in which he carves out a form from clay rather than shaping it on a wheel – allows him to further depart from Hagi traditions, challenging himself with complex forms while refining his glazing in a climbing kiln.

(Photographed in February 2025)