Miwa Ryosaku 三輪龍作 b. 1940

On this thickly glazed Hagi sculptural vase, Miwa sculpts a striking pooling of viscous white glaze on one side. Yet, rather than replicating Indiana’s vibrant color schemes, Miwa infuses the piece with his own signature—the celebrated Hagi glaze of the Miwa family. Here, Indiana’s LOVE serves as a stylistic catalyst, inspiring a dynamic fusion of Japanese ceramic tradition, geometric abstraction, and American Pop Art. The result is a bold, energetic, and eccentric vase that bridges cultural and artistic legacies.

New on our blog: Journals from Japan- read director Beatrice Chang's exhibition review on the recent solo exhibition of celebrated artist Miwa Ryukishō (formerly Miwa Ryosaku, and Kyusetsu) in Japan. When we think of the tea ceremony, concepts like Wabi-Sabi, discipline, and choreographed elegance often come to mind—pristine, meditative, and serene. Yet, Miwa Ryukishō (formerly known as Miwa Ryosaku and Kyusetsu XII), a generational artist from Hagi and son of Living National Treasures Miwa Kyusetsu XI and Miwa Kyūwa (his uncle, Kyusetsu X), challenges these traditional associations. It is no easy feat to carry on and preserve a family legacy while cultivating a personal, creative voice. For years, Miwa-sensei has been doing just that, consistently pushing boundaries with his innovative and provocative works. Recently, he has adopted a new artist name “Ryukisho”, having moved on from both “Ryosaku” and “Kyusetsu”, reflecting his evolving ideas and a new chapter in his ceramic practice.