This is an authentic Bizen ware (備前焼) jar made by respected Japanese ceramic artist Joji Yamashita (山下譲治). Characterized by its robust, unglazed surface and rich earthy tones, this piece embodies the centuries-old traditions of Bizen pottery, a style that dates back over 1,000 years and is celebrated for its natural ash glazing effects and organic textures formed through high-temperature wood-fired kiln firing. The body of the jar displays a dynamic interplay of reddish-brown and olive hues, with striking kiln effects (yōhen) and natural ash deposits (shizen-yū) that reveal the unique path of flame and ash during firing. The bulbous form is well-balanced by a narrow neck that flares into a slightly open rim, creating a graceful silhouette. Two small lugs (mimi) on the shoulder enhance its sculptural form and reference classical jar forms used historically for storage and ceremonial purposes. The base bears the artist’s carved signature, and the piece is accompanied by its original signed wooden box (tomobako), which adds to its provenance and collectible value. This work is an excellent example of the beauty found in simplicity and natural imperfection, central to the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi. Whether for display, collection, or as a focal point in a traditional or modern interior, this jar is a refined example of contemporary Bizen craftsmanship rooted in heritage. About Bizen ware (備前焼) Bizen ware is one of the oldest and most revered forms of Japanese pottery, originating in Okayama Prefecture over a thousand years ago. It is known for its unadorned, unglazed surface and its deep, earthy colors, which are the result of high-temperature wood-fired kilns and natural ash deposits during firing. Unlike many ceramics, Bizen ware does not rely on glazes or painted decoration. Instead, its beauty lies in the natural transformations that occur in the kiln — flame patterns, ash marks, and subtle surface textures known as yōhen (kiln changes). Each piece is entirely unique and bears the traces of fire, smoke, and earth. Bizen-yaki is prized for its wabi-sabi aesthetic — celebrating natural imperfection, simplicity, and time-worn beauty. Traditionally used in tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and ritual vessels, Bizen ware remains an important part of Japanese ceramic heritage and continues to inspire modern ceramicists worldwide. About Joji Yamashita (山下譲治) Joji Yamashita is a highly respected contemporary Bizen ware potter. Born in Tokyo in 1947, he studied contemporary art at the Vancouver School of Art in Canada before returning to Japan to apprentice with the Bizen Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun in the early 1970s. He later established his own kiln in Bizen in 1978 and has devoted more than fifty years to Bizen ceramics. Yamashita is a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association (Nihon Kogeikai) and belongs to its Ceramics Section, China Branch. His works have been selected many times for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition and for the Association’s regional shows, where he has received prizes such as the China Branch Director’s Award and the Sanyo Broadcasting Prize. He has also been honored at the Tanabe Museum of Art’s “Tea Ceremony and Form” exhibitions and other national competitions. Today his ceramics are held in public collections including the Brooklyn Museum in New York. Working in traditional Bizen ware (unglazed stoneware), Yamashita fires his pieces in a wood-burning climbing kiln at around 1200–1250°C for more than two weeks, using red pine to create rich natural surfaces without applied glaze. His work features classic Bizen effects such as hidasuki (scarlet “cord” markings), sangiri (smoky gradations), and natural ash deposits, combined with strong, modern forms such as flat-shouldered vases and faceted jars. Yamashita is especially admired for his sake ware, tea utensils, and boldly sculpted flower vases, which balance rustic power with refined, contemporary design. The piece offered here is an authentic work by Joji Yamashita and is a fine example of his mature Bizen style, showing the characteristic warm clay tones, natural kiln marks and quiet presence that have made his ceramics sought after by collectors of Japanese studio pottery worldwide. 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.