＜Item Description＞ A small Arita ware vase attributed to Fujii Shumei (1936–2017), a ceramicist associated with the Nitten exhibition. The rounded, teardrop-shaped body rises into a slender neck, opening at the mouth into a soft, white flare. Across the entire body, shades of blue ranging from pale sky blue to deep cobalt blue are layered over a lustrous white ground. A delicate vein pattern spreads across the entire surface, reminiscent of Fujii's "leaf technique." The piece works equally well as a standalone decorative object or as a single-flower vase. ・The Organic Beauty of the Tree Leaf Technique A defining characteristic of Shumei Fujii's modern ceramics is his innovative use of real leaf motifs. By delicately pressing young, fresh leaves directly onto the unglazed porcelain body before firing, their intricate organic vein patterns are permanently and flawlessly imprinted into the clay. This masterful technique captures the serene, natural landscapes surrounding Arita. As the glaze melts over the intricate patterns during firing, it creates a poetic interplay between human craftsmanship and the raw, quiet beauty of nature, making each piece a truly one-of-a-kind work of art. ＜Artist Profile＞ Fujii Shumei was born in 1936 in Arita, Saga Prefecture, and entered a aka-e (overglaze red) workshop at the age of fifteen. In 1962, his work Kanryū (Cold Current) was accepted into the Nitten for the first time, going on to be selected a total of fifteen times. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs purchased his works on six separate occasions. In 1974, he established his own kiln, Shumei-gama, in Arita. He developed the "leaf technique," in which young leaves are pressed directly onto the clay body to transfer their vein patterns, using those veins to express the natural mountain landscapes surrounding his hometown of Arita. He received numerous awards, including the Minister of Education Award at the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition and the Saga Prefecture Arts and Culture Meritorious Service Award in 1994. In 2000, his works were exhibited at the British Museum. Dimensions Height: 15.5 cm Width: 11 cm Depth: 11 cm Weight 623 g Condition Generally in good condition; the glaze is lustrous, and no cracks or chips are visible to the naked eye. There are minor stains and a few small reddish-brown spots on the foot rim. No tomobako (original wooden box) is included. Additional Information Artist: Fujii Shumei Origin: Japan, Arita, Saga Prefecture Material: Glazed Arita ware Decoration: Blue leaf-vein pattern using the leaf technique; white flared mouth Box: No tomobako NOITICE: The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depend on the situation. It takes about 3 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 me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping. IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR BIDDERS: Please only place a bid if you are serious about purchasing. Payment is expected promptly after the auction closes. Non-paying bidders will be reported to Catawiki, and unpaid items will be canceled and relisted. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. I appreciate your cooperation.