Seifū Yohei is a master potter from a family of potters that has been active on Gojōzaka in Kyoto since the late Edo period. The first generation studied under Ninnami Dōhachi and laid the foundations of the family’s craft by producing white porcelain, blue-and-white porcelain, celadon and kinrande ware. Among them, the third-generation Seifū Yōhei (1851–1914), who brought the family to prominence, specialised in celadon and white porcelain. Through his relentless research into glazes, he introduced a fresh and refined aesthetic to Kyoto’s ceramic art during the Meiji period. In 1893, he became the first ceramic artist to be appointed an Imperial Artisan, leaving a significant mark on the development of modern ceramics.

What one senses when viewing Seifū Yohei’s works is a dignity that quietly captivates the viewer through the beauty of the glaze colours and the forms of the vessels, rather than seeking to compete in splendour. In his celadon pieces in particular, subtle variations in shade emerge beneath the clear glaze, revealing a gentle expression whenever light falls upon them. To me, his works seem to demonstrate the advanced technical skills of Meiji-period craftsmanship whilst retaining a certain literary and serene quality. I believe that Seifū Yohei’s greatest charm lies in the way he creates a profound resonance precisely by exercising restraint in form and colour.