This is a Shigaraki-yaki 信楽焼 (Shigaraki ware) vase made by Sansai 三彩. The vase, featuring a base color typical of Shigaraki ware, depicts two cranes. The scattered dots seen throughout are characteristic of Shigaraki pottery. The two cranes symbolize unity between heaven and earth, marital harmony, and longevity. They are known as "married cranes," signifying that once they come together, they will remain together for life, representing marital bliss without separation. Shigaraki-yaki (Shigaraki ware) is a type of pottery produced in the vicinity of Shigaraki Town in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan and has a history dating back approximately 1200 years. Shigaraki-yaki is made by kneading clay and ingredients such as wood chips, mica, and frog eyes into clay, giving it elasticity and allowing for the creation of thick-walled and large pottery items. It is characterized by its sticky and high-quality clay, allowing for a wide range of items from small to gigantic. The charm of Shigaraki-yaki lies in its rustic appearance, which reflects the richness of nature. When fired, it develops beautiful warm colors such as flesh tones, pinks, and reddish-brown hues, and applying glass glaze or scorching to its surface creates a unique, human-like, soft, and warm expression in pottery that is not found in other regions. Shigaraki-yaki is said to have originated when Emperor Shomu ordered the tiles for Shigaraki Palace, built in 742 during the Nara period. In 1976, Shigaraki-yaki was designated as a traditional craft of Japan, recognizing its historical and cultural value. Vase size Width 20.0 cm Depth 20.0 cm Top 11.0 cm Bottom 9.1 cm Height 16.0 cm Weight 1410 kg Box size Width 21.7 cm Depth 21.7 cm Height 17.3 cm Total Weight 2100 g Condition: The condition is generally good. There is some signs of use. There may be scratches, dirt, fading, or peeling. It was kept at home. I have posted a lot of photos, so please take a look. Atention: The items listed for sale are all used collectibles. Please consider them to have signs of aging, such as stains, scratches, scuffs, tears, discoloration, fading, fraying, and changes in thread color. We will post as many photos as possible to make it easy to understand. As these are old items, we appreciate your understanding before making a purchase. Shipping: The lot will be carefully packaged and shipped from Japan. We will use either DHL or FedEx for a safe and secure transportation. It usually takes about 2-3 weeks for delivery, and the package will be shipped with a tracking number. Import duties, taxes, VAT, and any other charges are not included in the item price and shipping cost. Please check your country's import duties before bidding. 033123050410