This is an exquisite studio pottery piece by Issei Karashima (辛島一誓), a respected Japanese ceramicist known for his mastery of traditional glazes and brushwork. The vessel is crafted in a bulbous form with a short cylindrical neck and a single curved handle, exhibiting a balance of rustic charm and sophisticated design. It is decorated using the Gosu technique—a cobalt-based underglaze painting style—featuring a bold floral motif rendered in deep blue against the natural sandy-toned clay body. The texture of the unglazed areas contrasts elegantly with the glossy dark brown glaze around the mouth and handle. The artist’s confident brushstrokes suggest a freehand approach that is both expressive and controlled, a hallmark of Karashima's style. The piece is presented in its original tomobako (signed wooden box), which bears a detailed inscription in the artist's hand along with his red seal, enhancing its authenticity and collectibility. Also included is a flyer from Karashima’s solo exhibition held in 1972, providing additional provenance and historical context. This vessel is a representative example of mid-20th century Japanese studio pottery, where utility, beauty, and individuality converge. Its form and decoration make it suitable not only as a functional piece but also as a standalone artwork. A notable addition for collectors of mingei (folk art), Japanese ceramics, or postwar art. About Issei Karashima (辛島一誓) Issei Karashima was a Japanese painter and ceramic artist from Ōita Prefecture. After studying drawing and oil painting at the Hongo Painting Institute in Tokyo under Saburōsuke Okada, he first established himself as a Western-style painter, exhibiting watercolours at the prestigious Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (Nitten) and the Kōfūkai (Kofukai) Art Association, as well as other major shows. Inspired by Pablo Picasso’s experimental ceramics, Karashima began working with clay in Mashiko around the late 1940s–1950s. His ceramic work focuses on hand-built forms and sculptural pieces rather than mass-produced tableware, often exploring bold, expressive shapes and a painterly sense of composition. Many of his vessels and jars show strong contrasts of glaze and carved or sgraffito decoration, reflecting his background as a painter. Karashima held solo exhibitions at major Tokyo department stores such as Daimaru and Matsuya in Ginza, and his work was also shown at venues including Tokyu Nihonbashi in the 1970s. His paintings are represented in public collections such as the Hall of Beauty and Peace at Okinawa’s Peace Memorial Park, underlining his position within post-war Japanese art. Today, Karashima is appreciated by collectors of post-war Mashiko and sculptural Japanese ceramics for the way he unites a modern painter’s sensibility with the material warmth and immediacy of hand-formed clay. Works by Issei Karashima rarely appear on the international market, making this piece an attractive opportunity for collectors interested in Japanese studio pottery and 20th-century ceramic sculpture. Shipping / Policy Carefully packaged and shipped from Japan by Japan Post or DHL with tracking. If you purchase multiple items, combined shipping is available. Please contact us if needed. Import duties, VAT (or equivalent consumption tax), and any other fees are the responsibility of the buyer. Guarantee Our shop is a licensed antiques dealer in Japan. We guarantee the authenticity of this work.