Item Description: 坂田甚内 Sakata Jinnai (1943-) — Black Pottery Jar / Flower Vase (Kuro-to Tsubo) — Mashiko Ware, Japan A captivating work of Japanese black pottery (kuro-to) by the master Mashiko ceramicist Sakata Jinnai. This rounded, jar-form vase presents a generous, full-bodied silhouette with a gently constricted neck and a wide, slightly irregular open mouth — a form that recalls the primal beauty of ancient Japanese storage jars while expressing a decidedly modern sensibility. The surface is richly textured with horizontal throwing ridges left deliberately visible, tracing the spiral rhythm of the potter's wheel across the entire body. The atmospheric firing — achieved in a traditional climbing kiln (noborigama) — has produced a dramatic interplay of deep charcoal black and warm natural clay tones, with the blackening sweeping asymmetrically across the form in soft, cloud-like gradations. This unpredictable yet controlled variation in tonality is one of the most celebrated qualities of Sakata's firing technique, and no two pieces are ever alike. The base bears the artist's impressed seal (kanka), confirming authenticity. The interior is entirely blackened, adding further depth when viewed from above. This piece stands as a quiet but powerful example of Sakata's ability to fuse the elemental with the contemporary — a work equally suited to ikebana flower arrangement or as a standalone sculptural object. Size Height: 13.5 cm Width: 11 cm Depth: 11 cm Weight: 350 g Condition This is a used piece in good overall condition; the surface shows minor dust and light age-related soiling consistent with a vintage studio work, and small natural kiln-born texture variations and pitting are inherent to the firing process and not considered damage. Artist Profile 坂田甚内 Sakata Jinnai (1943-) is a master Japanese ceramicist based in Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture. Born in Tokyo in 1943, he studied under the iconoclastic ceramic genius Kamoda Shoji (加守田章二) and established his own climbing kiln (noborigama) in Mashiko in 1966. He has held solo exhibitions throughout Japan and internationally over many decades, earning recognition at the highest levels of the Japanese art world. Sakata has dedicated works to Japan's most sacred Shinto sites, including Ise Grand Shrine and Izumo Taisha. His practice extends beyond ceramics to encompass glass, washi paper art, bonsai, and painting, all unified by his explorations of cosmic energy, primal natural forces, and the spiritual legacy of Japanese Jomon culture. His distinctive black stoneware, fired in traditional climbing kilns, has earned him recognition as one of Japan's most original contemporary ceramic masters. 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.