Rare Organic Ikebana Vase by Kato Usuke, 1960s–1970s

This exceptional, tall ikebana vase by Kato Usuke is a true collector’s piece: an autonomous sculptural object that immediately adds tension and depth to an interior. With its narrow opening, it works beautifully with a single branch, a few long stems, or a minimalist arrangement—yet even without flowers it remains a powerful statement on the floor, a sideboard, or a plinth.

Dimensions: height 44 cm, diameter 11 cm. Weight: approx. 6 kg.

The form is organic and subtly irregular, like a raw vertical monolith. The surface is richly layered: a deep indigo to midnight-blue glaze with dark, smoky areas and subtle greenish undertones, interspersed with matte sections, crackle-like texture, and fine speckled inclusions. Along one side runs a pronounced relief “spine” with an almost lava-like skin, giving the piece an extra tactile, singular presence. Thanks to its weight, the vase feels exceptionally solid and monumental.

The vase is in very good condition and bears Kato Usuke’s incised signature on the underside. Includes tomobako (wooden storage box).

Kato Usuke (1915–1981) was a Japanese ceramic artist from a long lineage of Seto and Akazu potters. He worked within classic glaze and form traditions such as Koseto, Setoguro, Shino, and Oribe, while his oeuvre also aligns strongly with the post-war development of Japanese studio ceramics, with much of his work typically placed in the 1960s. His pieces often carry a distinctive incised mark, including the character “う” (U). Usuke exhibited both in Japan and internationally (including Los Angeles and Czechoslovakia) and is valued by collectors for his technical level and the powerful presence of his work.