White gourd-shaped vase by Naosaku

White gourd-shaped vase - Naosaku Masamoto

Height 23.0 cm x maximum diameter 18.2 cm

1. The shape of a gourd brings good fortune

Since ancient times, gourds have been loved as auspicious objects that bring good health and prosperity in business because of their rounded shape and curved waist. This work expresses this auspicious design with neat lines, and the rhythm created by the soft body and slender neck is very light. When you put a flower in it, the contrast between the round body enveloping the bud and the slender neck supporting the stem is striking, making the flower look even more dignified.

2. The tranquility reflected in the white Tamba glaze

The traditional white Tanba glaze of the Naoshigama kiln is characterized by its elegant color tone, a slight blue tinge in a grayish white color. After going through the reducing flame of a wood-fired kiln, the surface of the vessel takes on a faint silver-gray or brown color, and the earthenware and glaze surface blend together to create a unique look. The fine crazing that covers the entire vessel creates shadows depending on the angle of the light, and the more tea stains seep into the vessel with use, beautifully marking the passage of time.

3. Unique scenery created by kiln changes

The tiny particles of ash scattered from the shoulders to the torso and the fire marks from the firewood create a pattern reminiscent of faint craters on the moon. This is the result of the grace of "yakihen" (a process whereby ash that happened to fall on the potter in the kiln melts into the glaze). If the conditions, such as the firing temperature, the speed of the flame, or the amount of ash, change even for a moment, this is a truly once-in-a-lifetime scene that cannot be reproduced.

4. Masamoto Naosaku's outstanding sense of form

The smooth hollowing out of the body and neck, and the slight opening at the rim create an exquisite balance that is calculated to hold the flowers in place. The bowl is carefully turned on a potter's wheel so that no finger marks are left, and the slight wobble within the roundness allows for both beauty of utility and a hint of wabi.

5. The capacity to bring out the seasonal flowers

Spring : The white of the trunk complements the pale pink of peaches and quince, bringing out its sensuality.

Summer : Refreshing, reflecting the coolness of green maples and bellflowers.

Autumn : Rustic flowers such as lady's mantle and ambrosia blend beautifully with the grayish tones of the mottled scenery.

Winter : If you add a nandina or camellia, the red will stand out against the serenity of the white glaze, giving the tea ceremony a neat and tidy look.

6. Care and cultivation

After use, drain off excess water, wipe with a soft cloth and allow to dry thoroughly.

Prolonged soaking or excessive use of detergent can cause the wood to absorb unnecessary moisture and oil.

Enjoy the gradations in color and tea stains that occur over time as testament to the time you have spent with the pottery.

This piece combines the cuteness of the gourd with the tranquility of the white Tanba glaze, and is a great supporting actor of wabi, bringing a single flower into a space with elegance. Please add this vase, which combines the tradition of the Naosaku kiln inherited by Masamoto Naosaku with modern beauty of form, to your tea ceremony or daily flower decorations, and enjoy the scenery that changes with the seasons.