Item Description 美崎光邦 Misaki Mitsukuni (1951–) This compelling Shigaraki-ware flower vase was created by celebrated ceramicist Misaki Mitsukuni, an artist known for his deeply meditative and quietly expressive works. The piece exemplifies the raw, primal beauty of authentic Japanese anagama wood-fired pottery, showcasing the distinctive characteristics of Shigaraki ware at its finest. The vase presents a robust, ovoid jar form with a narrow neck and slightly flared rim, hand-built from Shigaraki's coarse, mineral-rich clay. The surface tells the story of an intense firing: a cascade of natural ash glaze flows across the upper shoulder, vitrifying into organic, glassy deposits of grey-green and cream, contrasted dramatically against the warm iron-red of the bare clay beneath. Embedded feldspathic inclusions — the hallmark of authentic Shigaraki clay — punctuate the textured surface with small white nodules, while kiln attachment marks on the shoulder provide tangible evidence of the anagama firing process. The base bears the artist's personal seal stamp, confirming authenticity. The robust foot ring reveals the raw, sandy clay body in cross-section. This vase would serve beautifully as a vessel for a single stem of ikebana, or as a striking sculptural object in any contemplative living space or tea room setting. Size Height: 17 cm Width: 14 cm Depth: 14 cm Weight 1234g/1.23kg Condition The vase is in good vintage condition consistent with its anagama wood-firing origin; natural kiln effects including ash glaze deposits and kiln attachment marks on the shoulder are inherent to the firing process, and a fine hairline crack is visible on the bottom body. Artist Profile Misaki Mitsukuni (born 1951, Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture) is one of Japan's most distinguished contemporary ceramicists. After graduating from Chuo University's Faculty of Law in 1975, he discovered ceramics through an encounter with legendary scholar Koyama Fujio, setting him on a lifelong artistic path. He trained rigorously across Japan's foremost pottery traditions — Koishiwara, Kutani, Tsugaru, Honbo, and Bizen — before establishing his own studio in Mie Prefecture in 1979, later relocating to Yachimatsu City, Chiba. Mitsukuni's work is defined by a profound stillness and poetic restraint, reflecting the quiet dignity of a life lived with intention. He is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Grand Prize and Prince Chichibu Cup at the 12th Japan Ceramics Exhibition (1993), the Excellence Award and Mainichi Newspaper Prize at the Japan Ceramics Exhibition (2009), and the Grand Prize at the 5th Kikuchi Biennale (2013). His works have been exhibited at leading galleries including Gallery Ueda (Ginza), LIXIL Gallery (Kyobashi), and major department stores throughout Japan. NOITICE: The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation. It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping. I appreciate your cooperation.