■ Please Note: I usually ship within 24 hours after payment. However, payments made on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday will be shipped on Monday since the post office is closed on weekends. Tracking updates on Catawiki may take some time to appear. Shipping costs include insurance but not customs duties. Import taxes or customs fees may apply depending on your country, and I cannot influence or adjust them. If you disagree with the customs charges, please contact your local customs office directly. As this item ships from Japan, delivery may take longer than usual. ■ Authenticity & Handcrafted Nature: This vase is an authentic handmade ceramic artwork by Meizan, individually formed and high-fired using traditional Shigaraki clay. The spherical body was carefully shaped and refined before glaze application. The complex surface texture, natural mineral spotting, and layered glaze effects are results of controlled high-temperature firing rather than industrial processes. Each example is entirely unique due to the unpredictable interaction between clay body and glaze atmosphere. ■ Estimated Period: 1990–2010 — a period when contemporary Shigaraki artists expanded beyond strictly traditional wood-fired aesthetics, integrating bold color experimentation and sculptural abstraction into one of Japan’s oldest ceramic traditions. ■ What Is Shigaraki Ware? Shigaraki ware is one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, with a history dating back over 800 years. Originating in Shiga Prefecture, it is renowned for its coarse clay texture, feldspar inclusions, natural fire marks, and powerful organic forms. Traditionally wood-fired, Shigaraki ceramics celebrate natural imperfection, surface depth, and the dramatic effects of kiln atmosphere. Collectors highly value Shigaraki ware for its raw material presence and sculptural authenticity. In modern interpretations, artists maintain the spirit of earth and fire while exploring new glaze techniques and contemporary forms. ■ About Meizan Meizan is a Shigaraki-based ceramic artist known for combining traditional clay character with innovative glaze expression. Rather than relying solely on natural ash effects, Meizan experiments with layered glazing and color transitions to create visually striking surfaces. His works bridge classical Shigaraki material strength with modern artistic sensibility, making them attractive to international collectors seeking both heritage and originality. ■ Meaning of “Blue Moon” (Aoi Tsuki) The title “Blue Moon” evokes rarity, mystery, and quiet luminosity. In both Western and Japanese poetic sensibility, a blue moon symbolizes something exceptional and uncommon. In this piece, the flowing blue glaze across the textured white and dark-speckled surface suggests moonlight breaking through night clouds. The contrast between rough texture and luminous blue evokes celestial calm emerging from earthy matter — a poetic balance between nature and cosmos. ■ Form and Surface Expression The vase features a powerful spherical body with a sharply angled opening, creating strong sculptural presence even without floral arrangement. The rounded mass enhances the visual impact of the glaze movement. The surface displays a dramatic interplay between granular white speckling and a vertical cascade of vibrant blue glaze. This layered composition enhances depth and dimensionality. The blue glaze appears to flow organically across the textured surface, reinforcing the lunar imagery suggested by the title. Such glaze control over textured Shigaraki clay requires careful temperature calibration and firing atmosphere management, highlighting the artist’s technical expertise. ■ Original Wooden Box (Tomobako) The original signed wooden box accompanies the vase and bears the artist’s inscription and title. In Japanese ceramic tradition, a tomobako serves as formal authentication and provenance documentation. Its presence significantly enhances the artwork’s collector credibility and long-term investment appeal. ■ Expert’s Insight: This work represents a refined contemporary interpretation of Shigaraki tradition. The integration of bold blue glaze over a textured, mineral-rich clay body demonstrates both technical confidence and aesthetic ambition. The sculptural form allows it to function as a standalone art object, not merely a flower vessel. With its poetic title, strong visual presence, and complete original documentation, this piece is particularly suitable for collectors seeking modern Japanese ceramic art that harmonizes ancient kiln heritage with contemporary expression. ■ Antique/Vintage Notice: This piece may exhibit natural clay inclusions, glaze pooling, mineral spotting, kiln marks, and subtle surface irregularities inherent to high-temperature handmade ceramics. These characteristics are integral to Shigaraki ware and should be appreciated as authentic expressions of the firing process. ■Shipping & Handling: We ship worldwide from Japan using insured and trackable services. All items are professionally packed to ensure safe delivery. Import duties or customs fees are the buyer’s responsibility. Delivery may take time depending on your location. Feel free to reach out with any questions.