Blue gourd vase Masao Tagai

Width: 17cm x 17cm Height: 23.3cm

This celadon vase features a striking "square crackle" pattern, with vertical and horizontal lines running like a checkerboard beneath a thick glaze that honours the clear blue of the sky. The unique silhouette, with a rounded body and a bulge from the neck to the rim, combines the charm of a gourd shape with the refinement of a plum vase, demonstrating a beauty of form that stands out not only in tea ceremonies but also in modern spaces.

Glaze and Crazing

The iron powder is adjusted and the blue is brought out through high-temperature reduction, and then a "reduction drop" process is carried out towards the end to switch to oxidation, resulting in a pure blue with no reddish tinge.

Square crackle : By creating a large difference in the expansion coefficient between the clay and the glaze, the glaze layer breaks into a planar shape when cooled, forming a unique pattern of linked squares and polygons. Mr. Tagai is conscious of the "coexistence of stillness and movement," and by not making the line widths too uniform and intentionally adding rhythm, he creates a sense of movement.

Ink dyeing process : After firing, brown colored water is infused into the piece, spreading the dye along the craze lines, creating the shadows reminiscent of ink paintings. Over the years of use, the addition of water and humidity will deepen the lines.

history

The aesthetic appreciation of celadon crazing originated in the official kilns of the Song Dynasty in China, and developed uniquely in Japan as a style of wabi (traditional Japanese aesthetic) decoration from the Momoyama to early Edo periods. The regular grid crazing, in particular, is known as a pattern that echoes the "fish roe" and "horsaku" patterns of the Song Dynasty official kilns, and is seen as a symbol of the interplay of man-made and natural elements within the tranquil blue. Based on this classic design, Tagai reconstructed it using modern materials science and firing control, elevating it into a modern form.

Viewing

Reflected scenery <br data-end="1593" data-start="1590">The curved surface softly reflects the light of the surrounding hanging scrolls and lanterns, making the vessel itself a ``mirror containing the scenery.''

Shadows of the square intrusion <br data-end="1658" data-start="1655">When strong oblique light is shone on it, the contrast between the lines and surfaces stands out, allowing you to enjoy the depth of an abstract painting.

The beauty of the aged iron rim <br data-end="1721" data-start="1718">The silver-gray rim has taken on a black luster due to the flower water and the feel, further enhancing the blue and ink lines.

This "Celadon Vase" is a masterpiece that beautifully harmonizes the clear blue of the sky, the tension of the square crazes, and the volume of its soft, gourd-shaped design. Simply placing a single seasonal flower in it creates a contrast between stillness and movement, wabi-sabi and elegance, gently stirring the heart of the viewer. Over the years, the crazes deepen and the blue takes on a slightly more subdued tone, creating a story that grows with the vessel. We hope you will spend many years conversing with the flowers and carving your own unique landscape into this celadon vase.