Blue porcelain vase Masao Tagai

Width: 14.2cm x 14.2cm Height: 17.5cm

This piece's appeal lies in its pale, tranquil "rain-past-blue" color, reminiscent of Song Dynasty celadon, and its refined silhouette, an adaptation of the ancient Chinese bronze "ko" shape for tea ceremony vases. The narrowed body creates a serene space in the center, then opens smoothly upwards into a trumpet-shaped opening, gently catching the floral arrangements. The lower part, leading to the base, maintains a low center of gravity, ensuring a sense of visual stability. Beneath the mirror-smooth celadon glaze are scattered fine ice cracks and crazes, which, when illuminated, cast a mica-like shadow, lending the vessel depth. A touch of iron rust around the rim tightens the pale blue world, adding a dignified sense of tension to the vase.

The beauty of the glaze and crazing

Color development : By suppressing iron powder and using a "reduction process" that involves high-temperature reduction followed by oxidation in the final stages, a clear blue color is produced that eliminates any reddish tinge.

Ice cracks and cracks : By creating a slight difference in the expansion coefficient between the clay and the glaze, fine cracks are created after cooling, giving the entire surface a marbled appearance. With use, tea stains will soak in and the appearance will develop like a hazy mist.

Iron rim treatment : The rim is thinly coated to oxidize the iron in the base material, producing a silver-gray to black iron color, which tightens the pale blue and recreates the ``iron rim'' look of classic official kilns.

history

The Gu-gata style originated as ritual vessels from the Shang period, and was also produced in official kilns and official kilns during the Song dynasty, becoming a favorite of Zen monks and literati. It was introduced to Japan as a Chinese-style flower vase during the Muromachi period, and was adopted by Rikyu and Enshu as floor decorations for the tea ceremony, establishing it as a symbol of serenity and solemnity. This piece is based on the classical Gu-gata style, but has been redesigned with a slightly wider rim and a lowered base to achieve modern proportions that blend in with contemporary spaces. The clarity of the pale blue resonates with the white space of wabi-cha tea, creating a quiet elegance.

Viewing

Crazing Clouds <br data-start="1717" data-end="1720">When strong light is shone on the piece from an angle, the cracks reflect like mica, creating a floating sensation on the surface of the piece.

Contrast between the iron rim and the base material <br data-start="1779" data-end="1782">The black of the rim and the pale blue of the earthenware at the base create a striking contrast, creating the sophisticated look of a replica of a classic official kiln.

Depth of reflection <br data-start="1836" data-end="1839">The mirror glaze softly reflects the light from hanging scrolls and lanterns, making the vase itself a ``mirror containing the scenery.''

This "Celadon Vase" is a masterpiece that combines the dignified form of ancient bronzeware and the mysterious ice-cracking scenes of Song Dynasty official kilns with modern aesthetic sensibilities and techniques. Simply insert a flower and the alcove will instantly transform into a tranquil setting, and as the crazing develops with the seasons, the vase will transform into a "living celadon" that breathes with the user. We hope you will treasure this vase for many years to come, and as you converse with the flowers of the four seasons, you will imprint your own personal moments in it.