Kaneta Masanao

Ceramics as a sculpture of light and shadow.

Between tradition and contemporary vision

Originally from Hagi (Yamaguchi Prefecture), Kaneta Masanao comes from a family of ceramists, the son of master Kaneta Seihō. Trained in the Hagi stoneware tradition, he broke free from it to develop a resolutely sculptural approach, transforming the clay block into a space of tension and movement. While respecting the heritage of Hagi tea and earth, he offers a radical reinterpretation that creates a dialogue between memory and modernity.

A sculptural and minimalist aesthetic

Kaneta Masanao is renowned for his use of kurinuki, a technique that involves directly hollowing out and sculpting a block of clay. This gesture, both raw and masterful, gives his works an organic force, where the thin walls seem to vibrate with lightness. The surfaces, often left matte and understated, capture the light in their reliefs, playing on shadow and depth. His forms evoke primitive architecture as much as mineral landscapes.

A work between matter and emptiness

Beyond its utilitarian function, Kaneta designs each piece as a sculpture: bowls, vases, or abstract objects become spaces for meditation. The interior void, carefully cleared, takes on as much importance as the exterior mass. His approach resembles a spiritual quest, where the transformation of clay embodies the very essence of the passage of time and the ephemeral.

Recognition and Collections

Considered one of the great innovators of contemporary Japanese ceramics, Kaneta Masanao has exhibited in Japan, Europe, and the United States. His works are featured in important public and private collections, where they are held alongside the great masters of the 20th century.

Present in the permanent collections of museums

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
• The Victoria and Albert Museum, London, United Kingdom
• National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Japan
• Hagi Ceramic Art Museum, Japan

Awards

Winner of numerous awards in Japan for his contributions to contemporary ceramics.
Represented in major international exhibitions on Japanese ceramics.
Recognized as one of the masters of kurinuki, giving this technique a sculptural and universal scope.