Item Description: 神崎紫峰 Kanzaki Shiho（1942- ) — Kakehanairi (Hanging Flower Vase) in Ancient Shigaraki Ware (Ko-Shigaraki) A striking hanging flower vase (kakehanairi) in the ko-Shigaraki (ancient Shigaraki) tradition, handcrafted by Kanzaki Shiho, one of the most inventive and internationally active ceramic artists to emerge from Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture — the birthplace of one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns (Nihon Rokkoyo). Standing 30.5 cm tall with a slender, upright form, this piece exemplifies the raw, austere beauty that defines the finest Shigaraki stoneware. The surface carries the characteristic natural ash glaze (shizen'yu) and ishihaze (stone burst) effects produced by the intense heat of an ancient-style wood-fired tunnel kiln (anagama) — unpredictable natural transformations in clay and fire that no human hand can fully control, and which are the hallmark of authentic ko-Shigaraki aesthetics. Kanzaki's pioneering use of the massive twin-chamber tunnel kiln (tosō-shiki anagama) — one of the largest of its kind in the world, which he constructed in 1981 — imparts to his works an exceptional depth of fire-colour and surface texture. His works have been collected by major overseas university art museums and exhibited internationally. The piece comes with its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako) and storage cloth (tomobukuro). Size Height: 30.5 cm Width: 9.5 cm Depth: 9.5 cm Condition The piece is in good overall condition with no notable scratches or soiling; natural ishihaze (stone burst) marks are present on the surface, which are an intrinsic characteristic of authentic Shigaraki anagama-fired stoneware and not considered defects. The accompanying storage box shows some soiling. Artist Profile 神崎紫峰 Kanzaki Shiho (1942– ) was born in Shigaraki-cho, Koka-gun, Shiga Prefecture — the heartland of one of Japan's most ancient ceramic traditions. After studying law at Kansai University (graduating 1965), he turned to ceramics and soon established himself as a bold innovator within the ko-Shigaraki aesthetic. In 1981, he completed the firing of what was at the time described as the world's largest twin-chamber tunnel kiln (tosō-shiki anagama), enabling long, intense wood firings that produce the dramatic natural ash glazes and fire effects characteristic of his work. In 1989, after five years of research, he elucidated the principle behind the spontaneous natural glaze phenomenon he named bakufu kampen (waterfall kiln-change). His works have been acquired by major overseas university art museums and collections, and he has exhibited widely in Germany and the United States. He has also participated in the World Wood-Fire Conference as a panelist, and his international reputation continues to grow. 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.