Description: Discover the raw, unyielding beauty of Japanese Yakishime (unglazed wood-fired pottery) with this breathtaking Iga ware vase (Hanaire), created by the masterful hands of Shuji Okami. Perfect for Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) or as a striking standalone art sculpture, this piece is the absolute epitome of the Zen and Wabi-Sabi aesthetics. About the Master Artist: Shuji Okami (1953–) To truly understand the dynamic, powerful form of this vase, one must look at Shuji Okami’s highly unique background. Born in Tokyo in 1953, Okami originally studied sculpture at the prestigious Musashino Art University. This foundational background in sculpture is strikingly evident in his pottery; he frequently departs from strictly traditional silhouettes, instead creating bold, architectural, and highly expressive forms with striking "ears" (lugs) and rugged textures. His journey to becoming a master of wood-fired ceramics is profound: 1970s: After his sculptural studies, he moved to Kyoto to study delicate porcelain, then traveled extensively through Europe, and later immersed himself in the Japanese Mingei (Folk Art) movement in Kyushu. 1983 (The Turning Point): He apprenticed under the legendary ceramic artist Michio Furutani in Shigaraki. Here, Okami mastered the incredibly demanding Anagama (traditional cave kiln) wood-firing technique. 1986: He established his own independent kiln in the mountains of Yamanashi Prefecture (at an altitude of 600 meters, overlooking Mt. Fuji). Surrounded by seasonal wildflowers, he became particularly renowned for his extraordinary flower vases designed to beautifully contrast with nature. The Magic of Iga Ware & 90-Hour Anagama Firing Historically favored by samurai and Zen tea masters for its heavy, robust, and masculine characteristics, true Iga ware is a landscape of fire and earth. This magnificent vase was fired in a traditional wood-burning Anagama kiln for a grueling 80 to 90 hours. It is completely unglazed by human hands. Instead, the intense heat (reaching over 1200°C / 2190°F) and flying red-pine wood ash inside the kiln naturally melt and fuse with the rich, coarse clay. This creates the breathtaking, glass-like green pooling known as Vidro (natural ash glaze), alongside the dramatic, dark scorch marks (Koge) left by the dancing flames. It is a once-in-a-lifetime organic creation that can never be exactly replicated. Authenticity and Collector's Value This monumental vessel comes complete with its original, custom-made wooden box (Tomobako). The lid features the artist's authentic brush calligraphy reading "伊賀花入" (Iga Vase) and his signature "周二作" (Made by Shuji), stamped with his traditional red seal. For collectors of fine Asian antiquities and modern studio ceramics, Okami's work represents a rare bridge: the ancient, 1,000-year-old tradition of Japanese wood-firing combined with a modern sculptor's eye for form. Shipping from Japan with Tracking Number & Insurance. I promise fast shipping via FedEx or DHL as soon as possible! Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up - do not confuse them for additional shipping charges.