Item Description This exceptional flower vase is a work from Kikkō-gama (吉香窯), the historic kiln of Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. The vase is fired in the kiln's celebrated Hakuja-yu (白蛇釉 — "White Serpent Glaze"), one of the most distinctive and symbolically charged glazes in contemporary Japanese ceramics. The form is bold and architectural: a wide-shouldered bell or dome shape that rises from a broad, textured base to a dramatically narrow, ruffled neck — the opening itself sculpted and pinched into an organic, flower-like collar of exceptional refinement. This contrast between the monumental body and the delicate, animated neck is a hallmark of Kikkō-gama's finest work. The Hakuja-yu glaze is the visual soul of this piece. Applied in thick, gestural flows across the upper shoulder and neck, the glaze forms swelling, raised ridges and rivulets of luminous white that cascade downward over the warm reddish-brown clay body beneath. Where the glaze pools thickly, it achieves a dense, almost sculptural relief; where it thins, the underlying clay shows through in rich dark channels, creating a dramatic two-tone composition of white over terracotta. The lower body transitions to a finely textured matte surface of carved and impressed relief — a landscape of abstract forms evoking the rocky terrain of Iwakuni, with incised horizontal bands that suggest the famous five-arched Kintaikyo Bridge of Iwakuni. The Hakuja-yu glaze holds profound local significance: it is inspired by the white serpent — a sacred creature that has protected Iwakuni for over 270 years — and the glaze itself incorporates ash from timbers of the Kintaikyo Bridge and the Hakuja Shrine, imbuing the work with a spiritual presence. Within the five expressive glazes of Iwakuni-yaki, the Hakuja-yu represents the winter landscape of Iwakuni. The individual maker is not identified, but the work bears the Kikkō-gama studio seal and the characteristic Hakuja-yu label sticker on the body. Size Height: 22 cm Width (max diameter): 16 cm Mouth outer diameter: 4.6 cm Weight : 1,450g Condition The piece is in good overall condition. The textured surfaces, glaze variations, and clay body exposed between glaze trails are all entirely intentional characteristics of the Hakuja-yu technique. No box is included. Artist Profile Kikkō-gama (吉香窯) is the historic kiln of Iwakuni, founded in the Genroku era (around 1688–1704) as the official kiln of the Iwakuni Domain. Iwakuni-city Originally producing tea utensils, vases, and dishes as gifts for the shogun and feudal lords, the kiln is celebrated for its refinement and its development of glazes deeply rooted in the Iwakuni landscape. The studio is currently led by its second-generation master, Yamada Tetsuo, a juried exhibitor at the prestigious Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (日展). NOITICE: 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 depend on the situation. It takes about 2 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. Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to us and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping. We do appreciate for your kind cooperation.