Bizen Vase

Name: Bizen Vase
Brand: Sanrokugama
SKU: Sanroku-Vase
Price: 90.00 EUR
Availability: OutOfStock

€90,00 EUR

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Stoneware 17.3 x 7.8 cm

This vase is an impressive example of classic Bizen pottery, in which form, material, and fire play the leading roles. Unglazed and fired in a wood kiln, it displays the multi-layered surfaces that can only be created through long firing times and direct contact with ash and flames.

On the surface, earthy brown and gray tones alternate with darker firing marks, fine ash deposits, and subtle shades. These natural effects tell the story of the fire's movement in the kiln and make every side of the vase unique.

The slightly irregular texture invites you not only to look at the piece, but also to hold it in your hand. Despite its restraint, the vase has a strong presence and blends effortlessly into both minimalist and traditional interiors. Whether displayed on its own or arranged with a single branch: This Bizen vase lives from its quiet aura and the beauty of imperfection, shaped by time, earth, and fire.

Bizen pottery belongs to Japan's oldest pottery traditions and is produced in today's Okayama Prefecture. Pottery production there dates back to the Heian period (794-1185), making Bizen the second oldest of the "Six Ancient Kilns". The center of production is located in the city of Inbe.

Over the centuries, Bizen pottery went through several stages of development. The appearance currently considered typical dates back to the 16th century, when potters began using iron-rich clay deposits (ta-tsuchi) for their pottery. This clay, found several meters below rice fields, has a natural iron content of 3%.

Bizen pottery is closely intertwined with Japanese tea culture: tea masters are said to have commissioned potters as early as the 14th century. Among its most famous patrons was the ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598).

The Sanroku kiln is a communal kiln operated by several different potters. Accordingly, the forms and styles are highly varied. The pieces are fired in a traditional noborigama, which consists of several chambers.