(Please note: ANAGAMA pottery is one of a kind and there are never two alike, so that once sold, this will be out of stock. It takes approximately 7 to 10 business days from the time you order this item until the date it is shipped from Japan. In extremely rare cases, it may take up to 15 business days. If you order this item with other items, they will be shipped together.)

diameter: 4.13inch (10.5cm), height: 4.53inch (11.5cm), weight: 14.53oz (412g)
Traditional ANAGAMA pottery fired on November 27 to 31, 2010.
Made by Hozan Tanii.

It is said that a ceramic vase for flower arrangement is one of the most important components of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony along with the Matcha Bowl. The artist Mr. Hozan Tanii has designed the ANAGAMA Flower Vase to harmonize with any style of flower or foliage. Both ANAGAMA pottery and all plant life are created from earthen soil. ANAGAMA pottery is part of the natural world, born from earth and fire, made from natural clay which is minimally refined and left to its inherent state and fired in the most ancient kiln. Hozan Tanii believes that ANAGAMA pottery is created as new harmonization in the natural world by God. It is the reason why the ANAGAMA Flower Vase can be harmonized with all flowers. And needless to say, his ANAGAMA Flower Vase has such a presence that it can be displayed with or without flowers in your tea space.

The color and pattern of each ANAGAMA ceramic is completely unique. There is never one ANAGAMA the same as any other. The smoky patterns of the ANAGAMA are created by soil, wood ash, and the fire in the ANAGAMA kiln. It is impossible to fully control the patterns made by fire. It is the reason why it is said that ANAGAMA pottery is the art of the combination of earth and fire, and why ANAGAMA fascinates the artisan and touches the heart. (For more information, click here: "ANGAMA pottery")

UZUKUMARU of this Flower Vase name means bow expressing sincere appreciation in Japanese. To be viewed nearly end-on, it looks like a human bowing in the Japanese traditional way. This form is one of the traditional Flower Vase shapes in tea ceremony. UZUKUMARU can be placed on a table or shelf, or hung on a wall. For tea ceremony, this style of Flower Vase is traditionally displayed on a wall, more so than on a table or shelf. It is in compliance with this tradition that there is a metal hook on the shoulder of the back side for wall hanging.

The gray color of this Flower Vase is created by wood ash during firing in the kiln. There is a delicate aubergine tone within the gray color. The brownish green color is BEEDORO glaze from wood ash. Burst feldspars look pebbly and shiny. The brown and reddish color is created by a fine coating of ash on the clay. It is called HIIRO, which means fire color in Japanese, and is an essential feature of ANAGAMA pottery. Burnt deposits play an important part in deepening the atmosphere. These are all essential features of ANAGAMA pottery. Glitters of burst feldspars on the surface add a unique atmosphere to ANAGAMA pottery.

Four sea shells on the front side create one of remarkable aspects of this Flower Vase. Small sea shells were used to set this bowl on its side in the kiln. This Flower Vase was placed on its side while firing in the kiln. Clam, abalone, and scallop shells are used not only to hold the vase in place during firing, but to add patterns on the works or adjust the burnt color.

The pattern on the shoulder of this piece is called HIGAKI MON, a pattern thought to be auspicious in ancient Japan. This UZUKUMARU form was originally a container for cereal seed in ancient times. This ancient container for cereal seed was fired in a very hot kiln and finished to a strange shape, which looks like a human bowing. Many years later, a tea master looked upon this ancient container. Intrigued by the unique form, he established it as one of the standard Flower Vase forms for the tea ceremony space.

Specially packaged in a wooden box.
Lead-free. Made in Japan.