Item Description A rare and truly one-of-a-kind ceramic vase by Kuniko Kinoto, a Shiga-based artist celebrated for an entirely original body of work: she "makes stones" using ceramic techniques. Kinoto calls her creations kishō-seki (稀晶石), or "rare crystal stones" — man-made mineral forms that do not exist anywhere in nature. She builds a core from mineral-derived glazes and clay, then surrenders it to the uncontrollable forces of the kiln — melting, gravity, chemical reaction — before finally grinding and carving the fired result by hand. Her own words describe the process as "a repeated back-and-forth between intention and chance, control and natural phenomena," producing a "third existence" that belongs to neither the natural nor the artificial world. This particular piece takes the form of a small vase, its narrow neck and flared mouth rising from a dense, mineral-like body encrusted with a rough, stone-like outcropping on one side. The glaze surface shifts through deep indigo, violet, dusty pink, and pale jade, pooling and crystallizing unpredictably as only kiln alchemy can produce. Remarkably, the glaze contains a phosphorescent (glow-in-the-dark) component: under black light / UV light, the textured "stone" sections glow a vivid green, transforming the piece into something closer to a living mineral specimen than a conventional vase. Kinoto's work has been featured twice in the past year in ArtCollectors' , Japan's leading monthly art collecting magazine. Because each kishō-seki forms through an unrepeatable, semi-uncontrolled firing process, no two are alike, and Kinoto's output is famously small and difficult to acquire — pieces are highly sought after by contemporary ceramics collectors and tea practitioners alike, and rarely stay available for long. A genuinely unique sculptural vase for the collector who wants something no one else will ever own. Size Height: 12.5 cm Body diameter: 9.0 cm Mouth outer diameter: 3.8 cm Weight 268 g Condition Excellent condition, as made by the artist. The rough, cratered "stone" texture on one side and the variable, pooling glaze surface are intentional characteristics of the artist's technique, not damage or wear. No chips, cracks, or repairs. Artist Profile 木ノ戸久仁子 Kuniko Kinoto (b. 1976) Born in Shiga Prefecture in 1976, Kinoto began her ceramics training in 1995 at the climbing-kiln workshop Sōtōen, where she also joined the young sculptors' collective "SEEDS." In 1998 she spent a year working in ceramics in New Zealand, and in 2001 she completed the glaze course at the Shigaraki Ceramic Research Institute. She continues to work today from her studio in Hiei-daira, Shiga Prefecture, and received the 19th Shumei Bunka Kikin Award in 2008. Since becoming captivated by the allure of stone, Kinoto has devoted herself to creating what she calls kishō-seki (稀晶石) — artificial "stones" produced through ceramic techniques that exist nowhere in nature. Her work spans free-standing sculptural objects as well as functional tea ceremony wares such as tea bowls and sake cups, and has earned recognition from tea practitioners and collectors alike. Her work has recently been featured twice in ArtCollectors' magazine. NOTICE The photos may show flowers, plants, pedestals, etc. as examples of decorations and interior design for illustrative purposes, but please note that these are not included in the product. The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by DHL, FedEx or Japan Post depending on the situation. Please note that we may use recycled cardboard boxes for outer packaging. It takes about 2–3 weeks to receive normally. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please note that as of 1 July 2026, the EU has abolished the de minimis customs exemption. All shipments to EU countries are now subject to import duties and VAT regardless of the declared value of the goods. For shipments with a declared value under €150, an additional customs processing fee (from around €3) may also apply, and further minor charges may be added depending on the destination country. Sometimes Customs or the delivery company in your country may contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you can answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will be returned to us and it costs more than double the shipping fee for reshipping. We do appreciate your kind cooperation.