Maker: Kikko Shogetsu (Kikko-yaki / Shogetsu kiln, Osaka) Title: Flower Vase (Hana-ire) — Asagi Pale Blue-Green Glaze with Hand-Painted Pine Design, with Original Signed Box This is a Japanese ceramic flower vase (hana-ire) from the historic Kikko kiln (Kikko-yaki), signed by Shogetsu. It has a distinctive flattened, gently lobed form, covered in a deep, luminous blue-green "asagi" glaze, with a pine branch painted freely across the front in dark cobalt. It comes complete with its original signed wooden box (tomobako). About the Kiln — Kikko-yaki Kikko ware is a distinguished pottery tradition founded in the early 19th century (around 1801–1804) by Toda Jihei, who trained in Kyoto under the ninth-generation master of the Raku family and other leading Kyoto potters before establishing his kiln in Osaka. When a box he created was presented to and admired by the Shogun's household, he was granted the kiln name "Kikko" — meaning "toward good fortune" — from which the family took its name. The kiln went on to produce garden-kiln wares (oniwayaki) for feudal lords across Japan, and works by its founder are held in major museums including the Tokyo National Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The tradition continues today into its ninth generation, and Kikko ware has been designated an Intangible Cultural Property by the city of Katano. About the Glaze and Design The kiln is celebrated for the soft, warm blue and green glazes it inherited from the Raku tradition, and this vase is a fine expression of that signature style. The asagi glaze pools in rich, watery tones of blue and teal, catching the light with a glassy depth, while a single pine branch — a classic Japanese symbol of longevity, endurance, and good fortune — is painted with confident, calligraphic brushwork across the surface. The interplay of the flowing blue glaze and the bold dark pine gives the piece a quiet, refined presence. Form & Appeal The flattened, softly faceted body is both sculptural and practical, presenting the painted design like a picture. As a hana-ire (flower vase) it is well suited to ikebana, tea-room display, or a single seasonal branch, and it is equally striking as a standalone decorative object. It will appeal to collectors of Japanese studio ceramics, tea-ceremony wares, and admirers of historic Kyoto/Osaka pottery lineages. Condition In wonderful condition with no chips, cracks, scratches, or damage. A beautiful piece. Please review all photos, which form part of the description. Presentation Complete with its original signed tomobako, which documents the piece and adds to its collectible value, making it ideal as a gift. Shipping from Japan with tracking number and insurance. Fast dispatch via FedEx or DHL. Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges and are the buyer's responsibility. These are normally collected by the delivering carrier or on pickup — please do not confuse them with additional shipping charges.