This is a finely crafted ceramic jar by the Japanese potter Tōru Kawai (河井透), finished in a traditional iron glaze (tetsuyu, 鉄釉). The piece stands out for its sculptural form: a bold, spiraled body that rests on five stout legs, creating a strong visual presence and remarkable stability. The iron glaze features a rich interplay of reddish-brown, black, and subtle white accents, with a deep luster that reveals the complexity of the firing process. Each angle reveals a new nuance in texture and color, reflecting the artist's sensitivity to natural form and surface. The wide-mouthed, inwardly curved neck contrasts elegantly with the dynamic base, balancing visual weight and proportion. This jar is not only a functional vessel but also a highly expressive work of ceramic art. It is ideal for use in traditional Japanese flower arrangement (ikebana), as a focal interior object, or as part of a curated ceramic collection. The piece comes with its original tomobako (wooden storage box), signed by the artist, which adds authenticity and collectible value. About Iron glaze (tetsuyu, 鉄釉) Tetsuyu, or iron glaze, is a traditional Japanese glaze that has been used in ceramic arts for centuries. Derived from iron-rich minerals, this glaze typically yields deep, earthy tones ranging from reddish-brown to black, depending on the clay body and kiln atmosphere. Its warmth and natural depth are highly valued in Japanese aesthetics, often evoking a sense of age, tranquility, and connection to the earth. The unpredictable beauty of tetsuyu comes from the firing process, where variations in temperature and oxygen levels create rich gradients and textures on the ceramic surface. It is commonly used in folk pottery and tea wares, symbolizing the wabi-sabi philosophy—an appreciation for imperfection and impermanence. About Tōru Kawai (河井透) Kawai Tōru was a second-generation potter of the Kawai family workshop in Kyoto, Japan. Born in 1941 as the eldest son of the potter Takeichi Kawai (河井武一), he entered the studio in 1962 to apprentice under his father and also received guidance from his great-uncle, the celebrated mingei potter Kanjiro Kawai (河井寛次郎). The Kawai workshop is known for its “Kyoto mingei” style: functional Kyo-yaki / Kiyomizu-yaki pottery that combines everyday usability with a warm, folk-craft beauty. The first-generation Takeichi trained for decades under Kanjiro and developed a rich vocabulary of glazes such as gosu (cobalt blue), copper red, amber and iron glazes, which Tōru further refined in his own work. In 1976 the family established the Nantan kiln in Kameoka, where their pieces are fired in a traditional climbing kiln. From the 1970s onward, Tōru Kawai held numerous solo and joint exhibitions at major Japanese department stores, including Fukuya in Hiroshima and several Takashimaya galleries in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Yonago, Okayama and JR Nagoya.His work focuses on hand-thrown tea wares, everyday tableware and vases with quietly dynamic forms and brush decoration, made to be used and enjoyed in daily life in the spirit of the mingei movement. Today, Tōru Kawai is regarded as an important post-war Kyoto mingei potter, linking the pioneering generation of Kanjiro Kawai and Takeichi Kawai to the current third-generation potter Akiteru Kawai (河井亮輝). 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.