Born in front of Kyoto’s Kiyomizu Temple, Kondō Yūzō (1902–1985) studied at the Kyoto Municipal Ceramic Research Institute before apprenticing under Living National Treasure Tomimoto Kenkichi. Building upon the traditions of Kyoto porcelain, Kondō developed a highly distinctive approach to underglaze blue decoration, characterized by its naturalistic motifs, painterly vigor, and refined sense of composition. In 1977, he was designated a Living National Treasure for *Sometsuke* (underglaze blue porcelain), securing his place among the most important ceramic artists of modern Japan.

This remarkable jar demonstrates Kondō’s exceptional mastery of both design and technique. The pomegranate motif is first rendered in underglaze blue on a white porcelain ground. The surrounding background is then carefully covered with a rich red enamel while preserving the blue design, after which gold decoration is applied over the red surface. Rather than being painted directly in gold, the pomegranates emerge vividly from the reserved white ground, creating a striking interplay of blue, red, and gold.
The warm luminosity of the gilded surface, enhanced by the red underlayer, imparts a depth and richness beyond that of conventional gold decoration. Pomegranates and foliage unfold gracefully across the generous contours of the vessel, offering a dynamic and elegant composition from every angle. Long regarded as an auspicious symbol of abundance, prosperity, and fertility, the pomegranate serves as an ideal subject for Kondō’s sophisticated decorative vision.
Combining the artist’s celebrated *sometsuke* technique with sumptuous overglaze embellishment, this work stands as a rare and compelling example of Kondō’s artistry.