Vase in underglaze gold by Jiro ONO

This striking vase of stoneware with underglaze gold,  exemplifies Ono Jiro’s refined approach to modern Japanese ceramics, in which traditional craftsmanship meets subtle contemporary sensibility. The soft, balanced form is enhanced by the delicate use of underglaze gold, creating a quiet interplay of sheen and texture beneath the glaze surface. Ono’s mastery lies in the restraint and harmony of his compositions—achieving elegance through simplicity and technical precision.

A superb example of his mature work, this piece reflects the artist’s lifelong pursuit of beauty within form, material, and surface.

ONO Jiro (b. 1953, Tokyo)

A leading contemporary ceramist, Ono Jiro is celebrated for his exceptional mastery of kinrande (gold enamel) decoration—a refined technique historically associated with Imari, Arita, Nabeshima, and Kutani wares. Deeply influenced by his mother, the late master potter Ono Hakuko, Ono continues this delicate tradition with a contemporary sensibility, balancing precision, elegance, and quiet luminosity.

Since receiving his first award at the Japan Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition in 1979, Ono has exhibited widely and won numerous distinctions, including prizes at the Japan Pottery Exhibition and participation in major national and international shows such as the 21st Century Ceramic Art Exhibition and Modern Ceramics Exhibition.

His works have been featured in prestigious venues, including a solo exhibition at Yufuku Gallery, Tokyo, and are admired for their restrained forms and the subtle radiance of gold within translucent glazes—embodying both heritage and innovation in modern Japanese ceramics.