This is a handcrafted mizusashi (water container) by the Japanese ceramic artist Shurei Miura (三浦硃鈴), known for his quiet yet refined approach to traditional ceramic forms. The piece is formed in a distinctive ovoid silhouette, featuring a modestly flared spout and a single loop handle, suggesting it may also function as a pouring vessel for water or tea during ceremonial use. The surface is left unglazed on the lower body, showcasing the coarse, tactile quality of the natural clay, which bears fine throwing rings from the potter’s wheel. In contrast, the upper section is coated in a deep black tenmoku glaze (天目釉), flowing slightly over the shoulder and creating a subtle visual balance between earth and fire. The transition from matte to glossy texture adds visual and tactile depth to the piece. The base is impressed with the artist’s personal seal, and the item comes housed in its original wooden tomobako (storage box), signed and sealed by the artist. This box not only protects the work but affirms its authenticity and origin. A well-composed example of contemporary Japanese pottery that respects tradition while offering modern sensitivity. Size: Diameter: 4.5 cm Height: 8 cm Weight: 65 g About Tenmoku Glaze (天目釉) Tenmoku glaze is a traditional high-iron glaze that originated in China during the Song dynasty and was later adopted and refined by Japanese potters. Typically deep black or dark brown in appearance, tenmoku glazes may exhibit subtle variations such as oil-spot, hare’s fur, or russet highlights, depending on firing conditions. The glaze is known for its rich, lustrous surface and dynamic visual effects, which are achieved through a delicate balance of iron content, glaze thickness, and kiln atmosphere. In Japanese aesthetics, tenmoku is often appreciated for its depth and quiet elegance, making it a popular choice for tea wares and ceremonial vessels. Today, tenmoku continues to be used by contemporary ceramic artists seeking to honor traditional techniques while expressing personal style. About Shurei Miura (三浦硃鈴) Shurei Miura is a Japanese potter known for refined tea ceramics and tableware that combine traditional technique with highly original glazes. Working with clay from the foothills of Mount Fuji, Miura develops distinctive glazes using local lava sand, feldspathic sands, ash from grasses and woodland, and minerals such as quartz from Yamanashi. These carefully balanced natural materials create deep, iridescent surfaces and a strong sense of “earthiness” in each piece. Miura’s work is particularly associated with kujaku-yu (peacock glaze) and tenmoku glazes, which produce rich blue-green and oil-spot effects reminiscent of peacock feathers or a night sky. Tea bowls, sake cups and vases with this glaze have been handled in the context of the Japanese tea ceremony and by collectors of contemporary studio pottery, and have appeared regularly on the Japanese art market. Miura has been active within the circle of modern Japanese craft, including exhibitions linked to the Japan Kogei Association (Nihon Kōgeikai) and related art–craft societies, and works are held in collections such as the Yūkadō Museum in Japan. Each work is individually thrown and glazed, so no two pieces are exactly alike. Characteristic features include: ・use of Mount Fuji clay with a warm, iron-rich body ・complex natural ash and mineral glazes with strong peacock-feather or crystalline effects ・a balanced, functional form suited to daily use or the tea ceremony ・an artist’s seal to the foot and, for many works, an inscribed and signed wooden storage box (tomobako). This background makes Shurei Miura’s pieces attractive to collectors of Japanese studio pottery and to tea practitioners looking for contemporary yet traditionally grounded utensils. 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.