White Porcelain Round Jar by Inoue Manji, Living National Treasure — with Signed Box

A round white-porcelain jar by Inoue Manji (1929–2025), Arita's master of hakuji and a Living National Treasure. 21.7 cm across. Signed, in its original wooden box (tomobako). One piece.

Inoue Manji trained under the 13th-generation Sakaida Kakiemon and spent his career on a single discipline: pure white porcelain thrown on the wheel, with no painted decoration to hide behind. Form, wall thickness and the soft glow of the glaze carry everything. In 1995 Japan designated him a Living National Treasure (Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property) for hakuji; he worked at the wheel into his nineties and died in July 2025 at 96. Signed works from his own hand are now a closed body of work. This jar shows why collectors seek them — a full, quiet volume with a crisp mouth, the kind of piece that changes the light in a room.

Details

• Artist: Inoue Manji (井上萬二, 1929–2025), Arita, Saga · Living National Treasure, hakuji
• Title: 白磁丸形壺 (white porcelain round jar)
• Size: ø 21.7 cm × H 16.5 cm (8.5 × 6.5 in)
• Includes signed wooden box (tomobako)
• Condition: pre-owned, excellent — no chips or cracks reported by the gallery

Watch: Inoue Manji at the wheel

The Japan Kogei Association's film documenting his hakuji technique. (A general record of the artist's method — not this specific piece.)

Please read before ordering

• One of a kind. Sourced from an established Japanese gallery. We confirm availability within one business day of your order; if it has sold we refund in full immediately.
• Professionally double-boxed and fully insured. Ships from New Jersey in 2–3 weeks. Price includes all import duties. Signature required.