This is a remarkable example of Bizen ware, handcrafted by the distinguished Japanese ceramic artist Tadashi Yoshimoto (吉本 正). The jar displays the signature characteristics of traditional Bizen pottery, a craft dating back over a thousand years and revered for its unglazed surfaces and natural wood-fired textures. The body of the vase is robust and gracefully ovoid, narrowing at the neck and culminating in a slightly flared rim. The surface bears a striking gradation of natural hues — reddish brown, ash gray, and earthy dark tones — the result of prolonged high-temperature firing in a wood kiln (anagama or noborigama). Distinctive quatrefoil-shaped cutouts encircle the shoulder, adding not only aesthetic detail but also a sense of airflow and balance to the form. The interplay of ash deposits, firing shadows, and natural kiln effects creates a dynamic, one-of-a-kind surface that cannot be replicated, making this piece both a functional vessel and a work of fine art. The vase is well-suited for use in Japanese-style interiors, as a flower vase, or as a standalone display item. The piece comes complete with its original signed wooden tomobako (storage box), a protective cloth, and an artist profile sheet. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. Please note: felt pads were attached to the base for protective purposes. Removing them may leave adhesive traces or surface marks. About Bizen ware (備前焼) Bizen ware is one of Japan’s oldest and most revered ceramic traditions, originating in the Bizen area of Okayama Prefecture. With a history that stretches back over a thousand years, Bizen ware is celebrated for its natural, unglazed surfaces and subtle color variations created solely through the alchemy of fire, clay, and wood ash. Unlike most pottery, Bizen ware is fired without any glaze. Its beauty comes from the interaction between the local iron-rich clay and the wood-fired kiln atmosphere, producing warm reddish-brown tones, ash-glazed patches, and striking grey or black “kiln shadows”. Each firing lasts for days in a traditional anagama, and no two pieces ever come out the same. Bizen ceramics are prized for their wabi-sabi character—an aesthetic of natural imperfection and quiet strength. The dense clay also retains heat well, making it ideal for tea utensils, sake bottles, and vases. Over centuries, tea masters and collectors have treasured Bizen for its earthy simplicity and the feeling of age and permanence it conveys. Today, Bizen ware continues to be made by skilled potters in Imbe, many of whom come from generations of artisans. Each work represents not only craftsmanship but also the unpredictable beauty of nature and flame. About Tadashi Yoshimoto (吉本正) Tadashi Yoshimoto is a respected ceramic artist from Bizen, Okayama Prefecture — one of the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan. He has committed his career to preserving and evolving the traditions of Bizen-yaki, a revered form of Japanese pottery known for its earthy tones and unique kiln effects derived from wood-fired techniques. Born in 1943, Yoshimoto began his apprenticeship in traditional ceramics in his youth and honed his skills over decades of kiln work. His style is deeply rooted in the traditional aesthetics of Bizen ware but also incorporates a modern sensitivity in form and expression. Exhibitions and Awards: ・Selected multiple times for the prestigious Nihon Dento Kogeiten (Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition) ・Exhibitor at the Asahi Togei Ten (Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition) ・Recipient of awards at the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition ・Represented in international exhibitions promoting Japanese ceramic traditions ・Member of the Japan Kogei Association (Nihon Kogeikai) His works are held in both private and institutional collections in Japan and overseas. Yoshimoto’s ceramics are admired for their harmony between form, surface, and firing technique, making him a prominent figure in the current generation of Bizen potters. 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.