White Blown Clay Tanba Crane Head Vase by Ichiji Shimizu

Height: 27.9 cm Width: 12.0 cm

1. Elegant design

This "Fukidori Shiro Tanba Tsuru-Neck Vase" is characterized by its long, slender shape like a crane's neck, just as its name suggests. Its elegant and beautiful silhouette adds a touch of splendor to your flower arrangement.

2. Mud Blowing Technique

"Fukidoro" is a technique that creates unique patterns by spraying mud onto the surface of pottery. This technique creates beautiful, delicate patterns on the surface of the white porcelain, each piece showing a different expression. This vase, which took time and effort to make, is truly a masterpiece that brings together the best of craftsmanship.

3. The charm of Shiratanba

Shiratanba is a technique that was developed in the late Edo period, and is fired using white clay, giving it an elegant and sophisticated impression. This vase also stands out with its beautiful white color that is unique to Shiratanba, bringing a sense of cleanliness and luxury to the space.

4. Firing at high temperatures

This white Tanba vase is extremely strong and durable because it is fired at high temperatures. Firing at high temperatures enhances the transparency and luster of the glaze, resulting in an even more beautiful finish.

5. Profile of Kazuji Shimizu

Shimizu Ichiji is a contemporary artist who continues the tradition of Tamba ware. His work fuses tradition with innovation and is highly regarded for its outstanding technique and aesthetic sense. Shimizu's work is beloved by ceramic art enthusiasts both in Japan and abroad, and has won awards at many exhibitions.

6. Usability and practicality

This crane-neck vase is not only beautiful to look at, but also practical. Its long and slender shape makes it easy to arrange flowers and beautifully accentuates any flower material. It blends in with any space, such as the entrance, living room, or Japanese-style room, and can be enjoyed as part of the interior.

7. Lasting Value

Shimizu Ichiji's works continue to retain their beauty and functionality even over time. This white, blistered, tumbled crane-neck vase is sure to become a treasured item that can be used for a long time. The more you use it, the more its texture will improve, and you will grow to love it more and more.

Biography

Born in Tachikui, Hyogo Prefecture in 1961
1984-1988: Studied in Tamba, Seto, and Bizen
1989 Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition (also selected in 1991-1994 and 2004)
1990: Won the Kobe Mayor's Award at the Hyogo Prefectural Crafts and Arts Exhibition
1993 Selected for the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition (also selected in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019)
Received the Kobe Shimbun Prize at the Hyogo Prefectural Crafts and Arts Exhibition Received the Issuikai Prize at the 55th Issuikai Ceramic Art Exhibition
1994: Selected for the Tanko Biennale Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition
1995 Selected for the Ceramic Art Biennale Received the Saga Goryu Award at the Flower Ceramic Exhibition Selected for the Japan Craft Exhibition Ceramic art demonstration at Europe Japan Week (Salzburg, Austria)
1996: Won the Jury Prize at the Flower Ceramics Exhibition (also won the same prize in 1997 and 1998)
1999 Japan Foundation Traveling Exhibition “Japanese Pottery – The Rising Generation from Traditional Japanese Kilns”
2000 Contemporary Tea Ceremony Exhibition TOKI Oribe Silver Award Winner Selected for the Mashiko Ceramic Art Exhibition (also selected in 2002, 2004, and 2008)
2001: Selected for the World Craft Competition in Kanazawa Held a workshop in Walla Walla, Washington, USA
2002: Won the Excellence Award at the BONSAI Pottery Exhibition (Takagi Bonsai Museum) Selected for the Vallauris Ceramic Biennale (France)
2003 Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition (also selected in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008-2023)
Selected for the Chosansho Ceramic Art Exhibition (also selected in 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2015)
2004: Opened Hakuyo Kiln. Selected for the 19th Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition (Part 1, Traditional Category Award Nominee).
Won the runner-up prize at the 1st Contemporary Ceramics Hagi Grand Prize Exhibition
2008: 70th Issuikai Ceramic Art Exhibition, Issuikai Honorable Mention Award
2009: Received the Ibaraki Prefectural Ceramic Art Museum Award at the 20th Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition; received the Shiga Prefectural Board of Education Superintendent Award at the 38th Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition; received the Japan Crafts Association Award at the 37th Traditional Crafts Ceramic Art Division Exhibition; received the Issuikai Award at the 71st Issuikai Ceramic Art Division Open Exhibition; received the Kinoshita Memorial Award at the 72nd Issuikai Ceramic Art Division Open Exhibition
2011: Selected for the Kobe Biennale 2011 Contemporary Ceramic Art Competition. Donated a large tea bowl to Saidaiji Temple in Nara.
Selected for the 1st Toubi Exhibition in 2013 (also selected in 2015, 2016, and 2018)
2014: Won the Excellence Award at the Hagi Grand Prize Exhibition III: Contemporary Ceramics; Won the Encouragement Award at the 2nd Ceramic Art Exhibition: "Identity and Originality" (The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo)
"Contemporary Ceramic Phenomena" (Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum)
2015 TAMBA NOW+ (The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo)
2016 "Contemporary Ceramics Guide" (Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum)
2017: Won the Kobe Shimbun Grand Prize at the 55th Hyogo Crafts Exhibition
2018: Donated a tea bowl to Jonan-gu Shrine (Fushimi, Kyoto)
2019: Winner of the Encouragement Award at the 36th Tanabe Museum of Art Grand Prize "Chanoyu Art Exhibition"
2020 TAMBA NOW＋2020 (The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo)
2022: Japan Crafts Association Ceramics Division 50th Anniversary Exhibition "Ceramics Connecting to the Future - The Power of Traditional Crafts" (Panasonic Shiodome Museum of Art, National Crafts Museum, Hyogo Ceramic Art Museum, etc.)