There are works of art that, maybe only once in our lifetime, may define an era and capture life's boundless spirit with a beauty that both moves the heart and deepens the experience of existence.

A few years back at the inaugural exhibition of the Musee Tomo in Tokyo, a sculpture by ceramic artist Suehara Fukami (b. 1947) was the first artwork to greet visitors as they descended the spiral, glass-lined staircase. In a darkened recess, a shimmering sword-like monolith with a pale-blue seihakuji glaze sliced through the air and stood alone like a "noble knight" -- a fitting description as well for this humble artist who is loved the world over.

Fukami's work is awe-inspiring to such a degree that it transcends thought and guides the viewer to a wordless truth. Standing before his majestic porcelain creations, we sense a shining spiritual light that allows us to touch a divine place in the soul. Fukami is an artist who defines his medium, defines that loftier consciousness through a kind of beauty that transcends borders. He is a once-in-a-lifetime artist.