A luminous vessel where earth and light converge, its iridescent surface shifting quietly between amber, violet, and blue. Description: This elegant vase rises from a small circular foot into a generous bulbous body that tapers gracefully into a slender neck, culminating in an organic, softly pinched mouth with gentle undulations. The silhouette balances volume and delicacy, with the irregular rim introducing a sense of natural movement. The surface displays a rich, dark amber-brown ground infused with metallic iridescence that shifts through tones of purple, blue, green, and gold depending on the angle of light. Scattered across the body are five-petaled floral forms rendered in silvery-white with a fine crackled texture, each centered with a small applied glass element. These blossoms appear to float against the shimmering ground, their matte, frosted quality contrasting with the glossy, reflective body. Fine white speckles are distributed across the surface, adding depth and visual texture. The base features an engraved signature reading "MIYAJIMA," "YK369," "A," and "J. Eguchi." The "MIYAJIMA" inscription indicates that earth from Miyajima was incorporated into the glass. Miyajima, formally known as Itsukushima, is a small island in Hiroshima Bay celebrated as one of Japan's three most scenic views and home to the Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its vermilion torii gate rising from the sea. The incorporation of soil from this sacred island imbues the work with a subtle connection to one of Japan's most revered spiritual landscapes. The piece is accompanied by its original signed and sealed wooden storage box inscribed with the title and the artist's name, along with an artist biography sheet. Cultural & Art Context: Yojo glass (熔壌ガラス) is a distinctive Japanese glassmaking technique that incorporates actual earth and minerals into molten glass, producing unique metallic lusters and iridescent effects that cannot be achieved through conventional methods. This approach emerged in the latter half of the twentieth century as part of the Japanese studio glass movement, which sought to expand the expressive possibilities of the medium by integrating natural materials and experimental processes. Collector Appeal: Works in the Yojo glass tradition are seldom encountered outside Japan. This vase, created with earth from the sacred island of Miyajima, and accompanied by its signed wooden box and artist biography, offers collectors an opportunity to acquire a refined example of this specialized technique with a meaningful connection to Japanese cultural heritage. Dimensions: Height: 31 cm Width: 15 cm Depth: 15 cm Weight: 1340 g Condition: No chips, cracks or restorations. Artist Profile: Tomoko Eguchi (1960–2017) was a Japanese glass artist born in Saga Prefecture. She graduated from the Ceramics Department of Kyoto Junior College of Art in 1980 and subsequently joined the Ezoe Glass Design Laboratory. In 1982, she became a founding member of the Takato Studio Glass Center in Nagano Prefecture. She studied European studio glass techniques in 1988 and received the Mayura Grand Prize in 1990. In 1993, she formally inherited the Yojo glass tradition from her teacher, Yukiaki Ezoe, and held a succession exhibition at Ginza Matsuya, Nagoya Maruei, and other venues. She established her atelier in the Nagano Art Village in 1994. Eguchi participated in the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics Cultural Program and was selected by the Japan Studio Glass Association to exhibit outdoor glass monuments. She created large-scale public installations including "People Who Became Stars" for the Shinshu Expo and "A Spaceship" commemorating the 400th anniversary of Japan-Netherlands exchange in 2000. Her work was shown at the Shanghai Art Expo in 2014 and 2015. Throughout her career, she exhibited extensively at major department stores and galleries across Japan. Additional Notes Please review all photos carefully as they are part of the item description. Shipping Information All items are shipped from Japan via DHL or Japan Post, depending on the destination. Each piece is packed with great care using professional materials suitable for fine art shipping. A tracking number will be provided once the shipment has been dispatched. We cannot under-declare item values or mark shipments as gifts. Import Duties & Taxes Import duties, VAT, and any additional customs or processing fees are not included in the auction price. These charges are the responsibility of the buyer. Please check with your local customs office for details before bidding. Customs Communication Customs or the shipping carrier may contact you for additional information (such as ID verification or payment of duties). Please respond promptly to avoid delays or returns. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.