■ 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 work is a genuine handmade Bizen ceramic flower vase signed by the artist Inari-saku and accompanied by its original signed wooden box (tomobako) and matching cloth (tomonuno). Every surface effect visible on the vessel was naturally created during the wood-firing process, making each example entirely unique and impossible to reproduce identically. ■ Estimated Period: Late 20th century to early 21st century CE (circa 1980–2010). This era represents a strong revival of appreciation for traditional Japanese wood-fired ceramics, especially among collectors of tea ceremony utensils and sculptural flower vessels inspired by Momoyama-period aesthetics. ■ Reference price for sale in Japan: Approximately ¥50,000–¥150,000 depending on kiln effects, artistic quality, provenance, and condition. ■ Description: A striking Bizen Ware hanging flower vase (kakehanaire) by the artist Inari-saku, featuring dramatic kiln-transformed surfaces developed through intense wood firing. The vessel possesses a powerful asymmetrical silhouette with rich natural coloration ranging from deep iron-black to warm reddish-brown and silver-gray ash effects. The rugged surface texture and organic firing marks embody the essential spirit of Bizen ceramics, where flame, ash, and clay interact directly without applied glaze. A metal hanging loop is attached near the mouth, allowing the piece to be suspended traditionally in a tea room, alcove, or architectural display setting. The vase is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box and matching cloth, adding important collector and authenticity value. What is Bizen Ware? Bizen Ware is one of Japan’s oldest and most historically important ceramic traditions, produced in Okayama Prefecture for over 1,000 years. Unlike many ceramic styles, Bizen pottery is typically fired without glaze, allowing the clay body itself to interact directly with fire and wood ash inside the kiln. These natural firing conditions create highly prized effects such as scorch marks, ash deposits, color gradations, and surface textures that cannot be artificially controlled. Because every kiln firing is unique, no two Bizen works are ever exactly alike. Bizen ceramics became especially admired during the Momoyama period by tea masters who valued their raw, powerful beauty and strong connection to wabi-sabi philosophy. Who is Inari-saku? “Inari-saku” indicates a ceramic artist or kiln name working within the Bizen tradition. Works bearing this signature are appreciated for emphasizing the spontaneous beauty of natural kiln transformation and the sculptural qualities of traditional wood-fired stoneware. The artist’s approach reflects the enduring values of Bizen ceramics: respect for clay, acceptance of natural unpredictability, and appreciation for the dramatic traces left by fire during prolonged kiln firing. What is a Kiln-Transformed Hanging Flower Vase (Yohen Kakehanaire)? A kiln-transformed hanging flower vase refers to a flower vessel whose appearance has been dramatically altered during firing through natural kiln effects known as yohen (“kiln transformation”). These effects may include scorch patterns, ash fusion, carbonization, and unexpected color transitions created entirely by flame and atmosphere. A kakehanaire is a hanging flower vase traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremony spaces and architectural alcoves. Hanging flower vessels became particularly important in chanoyu culture because they create elegant vertical composition while harmonizing with seasonal flowers and natural materials. Collectors highly value yohen flower vessels because the kiln itself becomes a collaborator in the artistic process. ■ Expert’s Insight: This piece possesses the strong sculptural energy characteristic of serious contemporary Bizen flower vessels. The dramatic contrast between the smooth fired areas and heavily textured kiln-scorched surface gives the vase remarkable visual depth and presence. Hanging flower vases occupy an important category in Japanese tea aesthetics because they merge functional floral display with architectural sculpture. The naturally transformed kiln surface on this example strongly enhances its individuality and collector appeal, especially for enthusiasts of wood-fired Japanese ceramics. ■ Antique/Vintage Notice: This item is a vintage handmade ceramic artwork and may show minor signs of age, storage wear, firing irregularities, ash adhesion, or natural kiln marks consistent with traditional Japanese pottery techniques. These characteristics are considered part of the authenticity and artistic beauty of handmade Bizen ceramics. ■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.