NEW SUMMER EXHIBITION
Shaping Clay: Women Artists in Contemporary Japanese Ceramics
May 21 – June 4, 2026
We are pleased to present a summer group exhibition presenting contemporary women artists working in the ceramic medium, presenting new works by prominent and established artists alongside new rising voices in the landscape of Japanese ceramic art.
Since the 1950s, ceramic artists in Japan have gained increasing recognition, with many devoting themselves entirely to the medium through practices deeply rooted in craft philosophies and the culture of shokunin—the lifelong pursuit of mastering craftsmanship. For centuries, however, the field of ceramics in Japan remained overwhelmingly male-dominated, and women were largely excluded from key aspects of production. Deeply ingrained Shinto beliefs surrounding ritual impurity, alongside rigid systems of hereditary apprenticeship and succession, prohibited women from tasks such as kiln firing, limited their participation within traditional ceramic communities, with historically celebrated exceptions.
Meaningful change did not emerge until the post-war period. While women had historically been confined to decorative roles, the decades following the Second World War opened new possibilities for artistic and professional independence. Female ceramists began to challenge established conventions, moving beyond utilitarian and decorative traditions to pioneer sculptural, abstract, and avant-garde approaches to clay. Since then, and alongside the increasing admittance of co-ed university education in Japan during the postwar period, generations of women artists have transformed the landscape of contemporary Japanese ceramics, using clay as a powerful vehicle for artistic experimentation, personal expression, and critical inquiry.
Building upon this dialogue through the current presentations of Radical Clay—a traveling U.S. exhibition highlighting Japanese women artists working in ceramics from the celebrated Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz Collection of contemporary Japanese ceramics—this exhibition continues and expands that conversation. Alongside new works by artists associated with Radical Clay, the exhibition introduces established, emerging and innovative voices whose practices are reshaping the future of contemporary Japanese ceramics today.
To view these extraordinary works and our digital catalog, click here.
PAST ONLINE EXHIBITION
Expressions of Clay
April 9 – 23, 2026
We are pleased to present a spring collection of exceptional Japanese ceramics by modern and contemporary makers, featuring works by Shimizu Uichi, Koyama Tomonari, Suzuki Goro, and more. Available online from April 9–23, 2026, this curated selection offers a rare opportunity to explore the depth and artistry of the field. Start browsing today!
To view the works, click here.
PAST ASIA WEEK NEW YORK EXHIBITION
Ceramic Modernisms
March 19 – 27, 2026
Opening reception: Thursday, March 19, 2026, 5-7pm
Special AWNY Hours: March 19–20, 11am-5pm; March 21–22, 10:30am–5pm; March 23–27, 11am-5pm
We are pleased to present Ceramic Modernisms, an exhibition showcasing the art and design histories of 20th century Japanese ceramics during the March iteration of Asia Week New York, 2026. The exhibition presents key works that trace the development of modern Japanese ceramic vessel expression during the early 20th century following the Meiji, Taisho and Showa periods: consecutive imperial eras defining Japan’s rapid modernization.
This exhibition shows works by three postwar artists: Yasuhara Kimei (1906–1980), Kusube Yaichi (1897–1984), and Miyanohara Ken (1898–1977). These works position Tokyo alongside Kyoto as a major center for modern artistic expression through ceramics in the early 20th century, where these artists championed new expressions of art, design, and beauty through vessels.
The accompanying exhibition catalogue features a new essay by Joe Earle, curator, writer, and specialist in Japanese art. An in-print edition will be available for purchase in the gallery during Asia Week. To preview the digital catalogue, click here.
We warmly invite you to enjoy the history, depth and beauty that postwar Japanese ceramics have to offer at our exhibition opening reception and private view at the gallery!
To learn more, click here.
Online Shop
In our ongoing mission to share the beauty of Japanese ceramics with collectors, connoisseurs, and curators, we are delighted to announce the launch of a new section on our website: an online shop. Here, you’ll find a curated selection of small artworks, each available for $1,000 or less. Thoughtfully chosen to bring art into everyday life, these works offer an accessible way to discover and collect Japanese ceramics.
We warmly invite you to explore the collection and find the piece that resonates with your home, spirit, and daily rituals.
To start browsing, click here.
Latest Acquisitions
View our latest acquisitions of modern and contemporary Japanese ceramics online. Since our beginning in 1989, we have been focused on highlighting museum-quality Japanese ceramics to the contemporary art scene in New York City. The gallery has introduced pieces to the permanent collections of several major museums including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, Minneapolis Institute of Art, Indianapolis Art Museum, The Princeton University Art Museum, and many more.
Our mission is to bring the timeless grace of modern classics, 20th and 21st century Japanese ceramics, to the world by providing leading expertise to collectors, working with established & emerging artists, and showcasing inspiring exhibitions. We strive towards compassionate and bespoke services to our clientele which includes connoisseurs, collectors, curators, interior designers, and more. We work to connect an international audience to the heart of museum-quality Japanese ceramics & ceramic art.
View them all here.
About the Gallery
Dai Ichi Arts, Ltd. is a fine art gallery specializing in modern Japanese ceramics. Since 1989, we’ve focused on featuring significant ceramic works in New York’s contemporary art scene, contributing pieces to major museums like The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Princeton University Art Museum, and more. We are committed to providing authoritative expertise to collectors, liaising with artists, and showcasing inspiring exhibitions and artworks. We welcome you to contact us for more information.
