Green Flower Vase by Ogawa Bunsai

Width: 10.0cm x 10.0cm Height: 31.0cm

Verdant Flower Vase (Suiryoku Hanare) - by Ogawa Bunsai (the 6th generation)

The eye-catchingly transparent emerald glaze flows gracefully over the slender body, with black glaze dripping down from the bulging midsection. This "Emerald Flower Vase" is a masterpiece, with a sculptural beauty that seems to reflect the atmosphere of heaven and earth, and the expression of the glaze gives the impression of the accumulation of time. This work by Ogawa Bunsai VI is based on the lineage of traditional Kyoto ware, but is also clearly imbued with a modern aesthetic sense and the artist's own ideas, creating a tranquil yet powerful work.

Harmony of Earth and Greenery – The Poetics of Color

What characterizes this vase is, without a doubt, the depth of color of the glaze. The beautiful emerald green from the top to the middle is as clear as the color of the trees reflected in a mountain spring, and takes on various nuances depending on the angle and amount of light. Meanwhile, the black glaze gradually seeps in towards the bottom, adding a richness that evokes the quiet darkness of night.

The overlapping of these two colors evokes the continuity between the life sprouting from the earth and the sky above, creating a composition that is more than just visual decoration; it evokes a spiritual connection with nature.

Balance and philosophy of design

The shape of the vessel is reminiscent of a gourd, with a soft bulge in the middle of the body. This shape has long been considered a symbol of good fortune, representing harvest and prosperity, and is also the result of the pursuit of functional beauty as a vessel for holding water. The slender neck cuts out space, and is designed to create an even more striking presence when flowers are inserted.

The design is exquisitely balanced, never too exaggerated, but also not ordinary. The quiet form embodies the flow of time and the vibrations of the spirit.

The artist's journey as a "green man"

"I don't know why I'm drawn to green, but being surrounded by greenery just calms me down."
While his father and the fifth generation often used red glazes, the sixth generation Ogawa Bunsai (Oki) has explored green as the "main color." After studying sculpture at graduate school and training at a ceramics school and industrial testing center in Kyoto, he entered the world of Kyoto ware, and continues to create works based on the themes of "circles" and "coexistence with nature," with "peace and harmony" at the core of his work.

Verdure is a color that could be said to symbolize this. In recent years, he has become widely known as the "green person," and the green-based works he displays at his solo exhibitions continue to make a strong impression on visitors. This vase is one of the works born within this context, and it embodies his desire to connect people with nature, and with each other, through the power of green and tranquility.

A crystallization engraved in the history of Bunsai Kiln

In 1847, the founder, Ogawa Bunsuke (Bunsai), learned kiln-building techniques in Kyushu and founded the company under the name "Bunsai." After returning to Kyoto in the Meiji era, Bunsai Kiln established a kiln in Gojozaka, where the name and techniques have been passed down through six generations to this day. The techniques, glaze blends, and exquisite shapes accumulated over the years are all condensed into this "Emerald Flower Vase," conveying to the viewer the "weight of unbroken handwork."

The serenity brought by the appearance

When placed in a space, this vase has the power to change the surrounding atmosphere just by its appearance. When placed in the alcove of a Japanese-style room, it creates a mysterious world, and in a Western-style space, it exudes a unique presence like a modern objet d'art. Its compositional power is valid whether it is filled with flowers or left empty. This is proof that beauty stands on its own, transcending its purpose.

"Prayer and tranquility residing in the greenery"
This Vermilion Flower Vase, a crystallization of the aesthetics of Ogawa Bunsai VI, is a timeless work of artistic poetry born at the intersection of Kyoto ware tradition and innovation. Whether used as a piece of art to accompany your daily life or as a vessel for prayer, this piece is sure to bring profound harmony and elegance to your space.