This is an exceptional Bizen ware (備前焼) flower vase created by the Japanese ceramic artist Takeshi Ōae (大饗猛). The vase exhibits the signature qualities of traditional Bizen pottery — unglazed surface, natural ash glaze effects, and deep earthy hues formed during wood-fired kiln firing. The form is tall and cylindrical, enhanced with subtle hand-thrown textures and two small ear-shaped lugs near the mouth. Rich gradients of reddish-brown to olive and dark grey ash marks highlight the spontaneous beauty that Bizen ware is celebrated for. This piece is signed on the base and comes with its original wooden tomobako (signed box) and protective yellow cloth bearing the artist’s seal. About Bizen ware (備前焼) Bizen ware is one of Japan’s oldest and most revered ceramic traditions, originating from Bizen Province (modern-day Okayama Prefecture) and dating back over 1,000 years. Renowned for its rustic, unglazed surfaces and the natural beauty achieved through wood-fired kiln techniques, Bizen ware is created without the use of glaze — instead, its rich coloration and textures are formed by the interaction of fire, clay, and ash during prolonged high-temperature firing. Common features include earthy reddish-brown tones, kiln scars, ash deposits, and fire marks that make each piece one-of-a-kind. Bizen ware is celebrated not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its strength, functionality, and historical significance in Japanese tea culture and flower arrangement. About Takeshi Ōae (大饗猛) Takeshi Ōae (born 1943 in Inbe, Bizen City, Okayama) was a traditionally trained Bizen ware potter belonging to one of the historic kiln lineages of Inbe, the heart of Bizen ceramics. He married into the renowned Ōae family, a lineage counted among the classic “Six Kiln Families” of Inbe, and apprenticed under the respected Bizen craftsman Ōae Akira. After years of study, he established his own practice and became an important second-generation figure associated with the Furo Kiln (不老窯), now continued by his son, Ōae Toshihide. Ōae’s work represents an authentic, classical Bizen aesthetic: unglazed stoneware fired in a climbing kiln, emphasizing natural kiln effects such as goma (sesame ash marks), hidasuki (scarlet firing lines), and rich, earthy surface tones created by wood ash and flame. He produced a wide range of forms—including sake vessels, tea utensils, flower vases, and jars—valued for their quiet presence, warm texture, and well-balanced, functional shapes. Today, Ōae’s pieces appear on the market as the works of a “deceased Bizen potter”, and they remain sought after by collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate traditional firing techniques and the distinctive, austere beauty of Bizen ware. His ceramics, often signed and accompanied by the Furo Kiln provenance, continue to reflect the careful craftsmanship and kiln tradition of one of Inbe’s enduring pottery families. Shipping / Policy Carefully packaged and shipped from Japan by Japan Post or DHL with tracking. If you purchase multiple items, combined shipping is available. Please contact us if needed. Import duties, VAT (or equivalent consumption tax), and any other fees are the responsibility of the buyer. Guarantee Our shop is a licensed antiques dealer in Japan. We guarantee the authenticity of this work.