Blue porcelain vase Masao Tagai

Width: 12.5cm x 12.5cm Height: 16.3cm

This celadon vase exudes presence, with its large, graceful "mesh cracks" running leisurely across the pale, clear, sky-blue glaze. Its shape, from its bulging body to its taut shoulders and tapering to a disc-like base, is reminiscent of ancient Greek kylixes and the eggplant-shaped vases of the Song Dynasty's Cizhou kilns. The wider base at the bottom gives it both stability and a modern, light feel. The mirror-like glaze surface is covered with ink-colored cracks that intertwine like cobblestones, adding a sense of dynamism to the tranquil blue world.

Glaze and Crazing

Color development : By adjusting the iron powder and performing a "reduction removal" process, which involves lightly switching the color to oxidation after high-temperature reduction firing, we achieve a clear blue color without any reddish tinge.

Mesh cracking : The difference in expansion coefficient between the clay and glaze is set large, and wide cracks are generated by rapid cooling after firing. The line width is not too uniform, creating a dynamic movement with a random rhythm reminiscent of the cracks in natural stone.

Staining : After firing, brown colored water is boiled and soaked into the piece, making the crazing stand out like an ink painting. As the piece is used, floral water is added, which deepens the shadows of the lines and allows you to enjoy the beauty of aging.

Iron rim : The rim and base are thinly glazed, and the iron in the base is oxidized to produce a silver-gray to black iron color, which tightens the pale blue and is reminiscent of the iron rim and iron feet of classical official kilns.

history

The design of the vase, with its lower part resting on a circular base, is reminiscent of the bases of bronze vessels such as "son" (revered) and "shaku" (noble), and has long been associated with ceremonial significance as a vessel connecting heaven and earth. The mystical blue of the celadon ware from the Song Dynasty official kilns was praised by Zen monks as the "color of the sky" and "color of water," and became a symbol of wabi (wabi) in the Japanese tea ceremony. While respecting this tradition, this piece incorporates a modern design for the base, elevating it to an appearance that will stand out not only in tea ceremonies but also in contemporary living rooms and gallery spaces.

Viewing

Shadows of the mesh indentation <br data-end="1751" data-start="1748">When slanting light shines on it, the lines reflect like flakes of mica, creating a floating feeling on the surface of the vessel.

Depth of reflection <br data-end="1808" data-start="1805">The mirror-like glaze softly reflects the light from hanging scrolls and lanterns, and the vase itself blends into the space as a ``mirror containing the scenery.''

Contrast between the iron rim and the base material <br data-end="1880" data-start="1877">The black of the rim and base contrasts with the pale blue, creating a scene where classicism and modernity intersect.

Masao Tagai's "Celadon Vase" is a masterpiece that embodies the harmony of "stillness and movement" and "classic and modern" through its serene celadon glaze, bold mesh-like indentations, and stable circular base. Simply inserting a single flower will bring freshness to your alcove, and as the cracks deepen with the seasons, the vase will transform into a "living celadon" that grows alongside its user. We hope you will treasure this piece for many years to come and carve your own unique story into it.