■ 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 handcrafted work by Living National Treasure Kato Takuo of Kobei Kiln. Every piece is individually formed, glazed, and hand-painted, making subtle variations in color, brushwork, and firing effects natural characteristics that contribute to its uniqueness. ■ Estimated Period: Estimated to have been created between 1980–2005 CE. This period represents the mature career of Kato Takuo, during which he combined the traditions of Mino ceramics with techniques inspired by ancient Persian and Silk Road pottery, earning worldwide recognition for his artistic achievements. ■ Description: This elegant Mino Ware flower vase was created by Living National Treasure Kato Takuo of the renowned Kobei Kiln. Decorated with graceful plum blossoms (Baika-mon) against a softly textured white glaze, the design conveys the elegance and vitality of early spring in Japanese culture. The geometric form, refined overglaze painting, and balanced composition exemplify the sophisticated craftsmanship for which Kato Takuo and Kobei Kiln are internationally respected. What is Mino Ware? Mino Ware is one of Japan's most important ceramic traditions, produced in Gifu Prefecture for more than 1,300 years. The region encompasses numerous historic styles, including Shino, Oribe, Setoguro, Ki-Seto, and Ash Glaze wares. Today, Mino Ware represents Japan's largest ceramic production area while continuing to preserve centuries-old artistic traditions. It is highly regarded for both everyday tableware and museum-quality studio ceramics. What is Kobei Kiln? Kobei Kiln (幸兵衛窯) is one of Japan's most distinguished historic ceramic kilns, established in Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture during the early Edo period. With a history spanning more than two centuries, the kiln has been operated by successive generations of the Kato family. Kobei Kiln is particularly renowned for producing exceptional Mino Ware while also pioneering the revival of ancient Persian and Silk Road ceramic techniques, a legacy established by Kato Takuo and continued by later generations. Who was Living National Treasure Kato Takuo? Kato Takuo (1917–2005) was one of Japan's greatest ceramic artists and was designated a Living National Treasure (Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property) in 1995 for his mastery of Three-Color Glaze (Sansai) ceramics. After extensive archaeological study and overseas research, he successfully revived long-lost Persian and Central Asian ceramic techniques, incorporating them into contemporary Japanese pottery. His works are housed in major museums worldwide and are highly sought after by collectors for their historical significance, technical mastery, and artistic beauty. What is the Plum Blossom Design (Baika-mon)? The plum blossom (Ume) is one of Japan's most beloved traditional motifs and symbolizes perseverance, renewal, purity, and the arrival of spring. Because plum trees bloom while winter still lingers, they have long represented resilience and hope in Japanese art and literature. Ceramic works featuring plum blossoms are admired not only for their seasonal beauty but also for the auspicious meaning they convey, making them especially suitable for display throughout the year. ■ Expert’s Insight: Works by Kato Takuo occupy a unique position in modern Japanese ceramics. By successfully reviving ancient Silk Road glazing techniques while remaining deeply rooted in the Mino tradition, he created a body of work unlike that of any other twentieth-century Japanese potter. Collectors around the world highly value his creations for their museum-level craftsmanship, historical importance, and exceptional artistic vision. Decorative flower vases featuring traditional Japanese motifs such as plum blossoms are particularly desirable because they beautifully unite Japanese aesthetics with the internationally acclaimed legacy of Kobei Kiln. ■ Antique/Vintage Notice: This item is a handcrafted Japanese ceramic. Minor irregularities, firing marks, glaze variations, and gentle signs of age are natural characteristics of handmade pottery and should be appreciated as part of its authenticity and artistic character rather than regarded as defects. ■ 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. Shipping carrier selection requests are not accepted.