Vintage Ikebana Vase, 1980s

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Description

This exceptionally elegant ikebana vase (hanaire) is a work by Itō Sekisui V (五代 伊藤赤水), a leading ceramic artist from … Read more This exceptionally elegant ikebana vase (hanaire) is a work by Itō Sekisui V (五代 伊藤赤水), a leading ceramic artist from Sado (Niigata) who was later recognized as a Living National Treasure within the tradition of mumyōi-yaki. The piece belongs to his yōhen series, in which the kiln’s fire is intentionally allowed to shape the final appearance, creating a striking contrast between warm reddish-brown and smoky black.

Dimensions: height 25 cm, diameter 18 cm.

The form is serene and perfectly balanced: a full, rounded body with a slender, rising neck and a gently flared rim. It works beautifully for ikebana with a single branch, one flower, or a clean minimalist arrangement, yet it also stands strongly as a sculptural object on its own.

Mumyōi-yaki is known for its rich red clay tone, but due to its high iron content the surface can turn black in areas touched by the flames during firing. What was traditionally considered a “failed” result became Sekisui’s signature: through unglazed, high-temperature yakishime firing, a natural yōhen effect emerges that can never be controlled with complete precision. Placement in the kiln guides the outcome, but the fire ultimately decides—giving each piece its own unique markings and color transitions.

The vase is offered as a complete set with its tomobako (original wooden storage box), yellow shifuku (protective cloth), and accompanying documents. The tomobako is inscribed with 花入, literally “flower vase.” The papers state 無名異陶 赤水窯 (“mumyōi ware, Akamizu kiln”) and identify the maker as 五代 伊藤赤水. The tomobako is also signed on the inside (hakogaki). Base of the vase: signed.

Condition: very good. See less