This is a Shigaraki ware vase by Takahashi Rakusai. It's finished with green glaze dripping over the characteristic brown Shigaraki clay base. Despite its simplicity, it's a very elegant vase. Its shape is a cross between square and round, showcasing its artistic sophistication. Takahashi Rakusai is a fifth-generation Shigaraki ware kiln in Shigaraki, Koka City, Shiga Prefecture. They use wood-fired kilns to produce tea ceramics, flower vases, and tableware. The first Takahashi Rakusai, whose real name was Fujizaemon, was renowned as a master of tea ceramics on Mount Shigaraki during the Tenpo era (1830-1844). Shigaraki-yaki (Shigaraki ware) is a type of pottery produced in the vicinity of Shigaraki Town in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It is one of the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan and has a history dating back approximately 1200 years. Shigaraki-yaki is made by kneading clay and ingredients such as wood chips, mica, and frog eyes into clay, giving it elasticity and allowing for the creation of thick-walled and large pottery items. It is characterized by its sticky and high-quality clay, allowing for a wide range of items from small to gigantic. The charm of Shigaraki-yaki lies in its rustic appearance, which reflects the richness of nature. When fired, it develops beautiful warm colors such as flesh tones, pinks, and reddish-brown hues, and applying glass glaze or scorching to its surface creates a unique, human-like, soft, and warm expression in pottery that is not found in other regions. Shigaraki-yaki is said to have originated when Emperor Shomu ordered the tiles for Shigaraki Palace, built in 742 during the Nara period. In 1976, Shigaraki-yaki was designated as a traditional craft of Japan, recognizing its historical and cultural value. Vase size Width 15.0 cm Depth 14.0 cm Top 4.7 cm Bottom 8.8 cm Height 21.1 cm Weight 1080 kg Box size Width 17.0 cm Depth 17.0 cm Height 26.0 cm Total Weight 1810 g Condition: Condition is good. There is almost no usability. There may be scratches, dirt, abrasions, etc. I kept it at home. There are many photos, so please take a look. Atention: The items listed for sale are all used collectibles. Please consider them to have signs of aging, such as stains, scratches, scuffs, tears, discoloration, fading, fraying, and changes in thread color. We will post as many photos as possible to make it easy to understand. As these are old items, we appreciate your understanding before making a purchase. Shipping: The lot will be carefully packaged and shipped from Japan. We will use either DHL or FedEx for a safe and secure transportation. It usually takes about 2-3 weeks for delivery, and the package will be shipped with a tracking number. Import duties, taxes, VAT, and any other charges are not included in the item price and shipping cost. Please check your country's import duties before bidding. 041021290430