Item Description This large presentation dish is a fine example of Mashiko ware by 木村一郎 Kimura Ichiro (1915–1978), one of the defining master potters of the Mashiko tradition. Produced during the 1970s — the final and arguably most accomplished decade of Kimura's career — the piece embodies the Mingei (folk craft) spirit he absorbed through years of study under Hamada Shoji, translated into a distinctly personal artistic voice. The interior surface is covered in a rich kaki (persimmon) glaze: a deep, warm reddish-brown that shifts subtly across the wide face of the dish, catching light with a smooth, moist sheen. Against this ground, freely painted grass-and-leaf motifs sweep across the entire surface in white slip and iron-brown, the brushwork bold yet unhurried. Small rounded buds rendered in celadon green punctuate the composition at irregular intervals, adding a quiet chromatic accent that enlivens the warm palette. The layering of glazes gives the decoration a gentle relief, so that the design reads as both painted and sculptural. The reverse presents a deliberate contrast: a pale ash-white glaze covers the broad underside, with natural drips of the kaki glaze trailing down from the rim in an unforced, spontaneous manner that speaks directly to the hand of the maker. The unglazed foot ring retains the warm sandy texture of Mashiko clay, and a maker's mark is impressed into the base. The wooden storage box (tomobako) bears a hand-brushed inscription identifying the work — "Kaki-yu Kusamon Oozara" (Kaki-glaze Grass-pattern Large Dish) — together with the artist's signature and red seal, and a date notation on the left side of the lid interior reading "Ichi-ku-nana..." (197-) with the month of May, consistent with the 1972–1977 period of Kimura's late career. Size Height: 4.7 cm Width: 29.3 cm Condition The dish itself is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs visible. The glaze surface is intact throughout. The tomobako shows age-related wear including scratches, staining, and scuffing to the exterior, consistent with decades of storage. Additional Information Artist: 木村一郎 Kimura Ichiro (1915–1978), Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan Ware type: Mashiko-yaki (益子焼) Glaze: Kaki (persimmon) glaze with white slip and iron-brown grass decoration; celadon-green bud accents Period: 1970s (date inscription in tomobako reads "197-, May") Provenance: Comes with original tomobako (artist-inscribed wooden storage box) bearing signature, red seal, and date notation Authenticity: Guaranteed as a genuine work by Kimura Ichiro 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.