Modern Japanese Ceramic Shigaraki Ikebana Vase Takahashi Shunsai

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A tall ceramic vase made in the tradition of Shigaraki ware by Japanese potter Takahashi Shunsai (1927-2011), the fourth heir … Read more A tall ceramic vase made in the tradition of Shigaraki ware by Japanese potter Takahashi Shunsai (1927-2011), the fourth heir of the famed Rakusai lineage of potters. The vase is heavily potted in the reddish sandy Shigaraki clay. It has a Classic vase form made for Ikebana display. The surface is thickly draped with natural ash glaze that deposited onto the body during the firing process in the kiln. It also features decoration of carved lines. Nuggets of feldspar were incorporated in the clay and exposed onto the surface as crystal like jewels. Substantial and archaic looking, the vase also has a strong modern appeal due to its Mingei styling. It was signed on the base with a pressed seal Shunsai as shown. The vase comes with its original wood storage box (tomobako) with bears the title and signature in Kanji and a seal. It also retains a paperwork noting the artist's biography and practice philosophy in Japanese.
Born in Shigaraki, Shunsai was the second son of renowned potter Takahashi Rakusai III. Since establishing his own kiln "Shunsai Gama" in 1968, Shunsai has widely exhibited his work. Celebrated as a master of Shigaraki ware, he was designated as a Shiga Prefectural Intangible Cultural Treasure in 1995.
The Takahashi family–along with the Ueda family–is one of the longest potting families in Shigaraki and is largely responsible for preserving and reviving the pottery traditions
For an example of Shunsai's work, see no.2015.79.367 in the collection of Minneapolis Institute Of Art. See less