– Kobayashi Masami, contemporary Japanese studio ceramicist known for textural, mineral-rich surfaces – Deeply textured glaze in layered slate-blue and charcoal tones, with a distinctive diagonal break running the full height of the body – Compact yet substantial form: 17.5 cm tall × 11.5 cm wide — ideal as a singular sculptural accent Summary A hand-built stoneware flower vase by Kobayashi Masami, finished in a richly textured volcanic glaze of slate-blue and ash-grey. The asymmetric form tapers slightly toward the base and carries a dramatic vertical seam — a deliberate structural gesture that gives the piece its sculptural tension. At 17.5 cm tall, it is precisely scaled for a single stem or a small arrangement of dried grasses. The rough, mineral surface reads differently under each light condition, shifting from deep blue-grey in shadow to a warm, luminous silver in direct light. A compelling piece for collectors drawn to the raw materiality of contemporary Japanese studio ceramics. There is a particular kind of quiet that settles around a well-made vessel. Kobayashi Masami's stoneware flower vase achieves exactly that — a presence that holds the room without demanding attention. The form is upright and slightly irregular, hand-built rather than wheel-thrown, with a generous opening at the top and a restrained, stable base. A bold diagonal line runs the full length of the body — not a crack or a fault, but a controlled seam or surface incision that introduces movement and asymmetry into an otherwise composed silhouette. In Japan, the relationship between ceramics and the natural world has always been close. The aesthetic tradition of wabi — finding beauty in imperfection and incompleteness — is felt strongly here. The glaze resembles cooled lava or storm-weathered rock: dense, particulate, layered, and alive. This is surface as geology rather than decoration. The colourway sits firmly in the grey-blue register, with pockets of darker charcoal where the glaze has pooled and areas of lighter, more open texture where it has drawn back in the kiln. Against white walls, pale linen, or natural wood, the piece reads as a sculptural object as much as a functional vase. At 17.5 × 11.5 cm, the scale is considered: large enough to anchor a shelf or side table, compact enough to sit comfortably within a wider arrangement of objects. A single stem of susuki grass, a branch of dried hydrangea, or even a few bare twigs would suit it perfectly. The overall condition appears very good, consistent with careful studio use. The textured glaze surface is inherently robust and ages gracefully. For collectors of contemporary Japanese ceramics, or for those assembling spaces that value craft and material intelligence, this is a piece that rewards daily attention. Shipping & Handling Shipping for this item may take approximately 7–10 days. I have confirmed this with Catawiki and obtained their approval. We ship worldwide via DHL or EMS with full insurance and tracking. Professional packing ensures safe arrival; combined shipping available for multiple wins. Local customs duties are the buyer's responsibility. Seller Guarantee We specialise in authentic Japanese ceramics and guarantee this piece's authenticity. Questions welcome – we reply within 24 hours.