This striking Kutani-yaki (九谷焼) porcelain vase was created by Asakura Isokichi (与成 / Yonari, b. 1941), the third-generation head of the celebrated Fukakō-tōyō kiln in Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture, and bears his engraved personal signature, 与成 (Yonari), to the unglazed footring. Rising from a narrow foot to a tall, angular, faceted body with a distinctive squared mouth, the vase is boldly divided into two contrasting halves. One side is finished in a deep indigo-blue ground, decorated with raised, hand-trailed slip in cream and turquoise forming stylised fern-like branches — a tactile, almost sculptural technique. The other side showcases the kiln's celebrated deep amber-yellow glaze (often referred to as the "Isokichi color"), hand-painted with stylised pod-and-leaf motifs in warm brown outlines, divided by a single vertical green line. The interplay between the cool, textured indigo panel and the warm, painterly yellow panel gives the piece a strikingly modern, almost abstract character, while the faceted silhouette and rich glasswork keep it firmly rooted in Kutani's long ceramic tradition. A fine example of how the Fukakō-tōyō kiln continues to reinterpret traditional Kutani techniques with a contemporary voice, this vase would make a striking centrepiece for any collection of modern Japanese studio ceramics. It is a work with a very solid, substantial weight. Please note this is a pre-owned piece; no signed wooden storage box (tomobako) is included. Size Height: 25.8 cm Width: 6 cm (mouth width; maximum body width not separately measured — please confirm before listing if possible) Depth: 17 cm Weight 2170 g / 2.17 kg Condition This vase is in good, displayable pre-owned condition, with light surface wear consistent with age and prior handling as noted by the original seller; no chips, cracks, or repairs are visible in the photographs provided. Artist Profile Asakura Isokichi is an artist name passed down through three generations of the Fukakō-tōyō kiln in Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture. The celebrated second-generation Isokichi (1913–1998), born Yosaku, studied under Tokuda Yasokichi I and Kitade Tōjirō, and went on to become a member of the Japan Art Academy, a Person of Cultural Merit, and in 1996 the first Kutani-ware artist to receive the Order of Culture. The present, third-generation Isokichi — whose given name, Yonari, forms his personal engraved signature — was raised learning the craft from his father and likewise trained under Kitade Tōjirō. He succeeded to the Isokichi name in 1999 and now leads the kiln together with his daughter and son-in-law. His work is distinguished by a deep, luminous yellow glaze paired with refined color combinations, and he continues to reinterpret the kiln's traditional techniques — as seen in this piece's bold combination of painted enamel and raised slip decoration — with contemporary forms. His pieces have been shown in the Nitten exhibition and the Japan Contemporary Crafts Art Exhibition, and he has received the Ishikawa Prefecture Award for Cultural Merit and the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays. Customs & Taxes: Import duties, VAT, and charges are not included in the item price and are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office before bidding. Delivery & Tracking: Depending on the circumstances, we will ship via Japan Post, DHL, or FedEx. Please use the tracking number. Customs Clearance: You must respond to any contact from customs or the carrier. If the package is returned due to non-responsiveness, the buyer will be responsible for all additional shipping costs for re-sending. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.