Blue gourd vase Masao Tagai

Width: 13.3cm x 13.3cm Height: 25cm

Celadon flower vase by Masao Tagai

1. Overview of the work

This is a flower vase with an extremely modern silhouette, featuring generous crazes running beneath a clear, sky-blue celadon glaze. From its stable, conical base rises a slender, tapered body, and its wide, trumpet-shaped rim—the entire piece is enveloped in a dynamic movement, like a twisted cloth carrying the wind, creating a light rhythm in the space in which it is placed. Large ink-dyed crazes gracefully intertwine on the mirror-smooth glaze, creating a wonderful harmony between the serenity of the celadon and the dynamic lines.

2. Shape and glaze

3. Production techniques and intentions

As a full member of the Japan Kogei Association, Masao Tagai continues to research thick celadon glazes and crazing. In this piece, he gently twists the body after forming it on the potter's wheel, and then fine-tunes the curves by carving, resulting in a form that has a sense of flow even when the piece is stationary. The thick glaze is adjusted to a high viscosity to prevent excessive dripping, and rapid cooling after firing creates wide fissures on the glaze surface. The piece is then dyed in ink using boiling water, highlighting the lines. These are the key techniques.

4. Historical and cultural background

Trumpet-mouth vases have their origins in the "celestial sphere vases" of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties in China, but the twisting design is a feature of modern Japanese ceramics. By giving a dynamic form to the tranquil material of celadon, this is a modern attempt to bridge the "quiet beauty" of Song Dynasty Longquan celadon and the "dynamic beauty" sought after by Momoyama tea ware.

5. Examples of combinations with flower materials

6. Viewing points

Rhythm of the cracks <br data-end="1326" data-start="1323">When light is shone at an angle, the cracks take on shadows, emphasizing their spiral movement.

Reflected Scenery <br data-end="1381" data-start="1378">The mirror glaze softly reflects the surroundings, and we recommend using it to project the flickering of candles at tea ceremonies.

Changes in the iron rim over time <br data-end="1444" data-start="1441">The silver-gray color of the rim will develop a darker luster with use and handling, deepening the contrast with the pale blue.

This "Celadon Vase" is the pinnacle of modern celadon, with its clear blue color, bold form, and large, crazed lines. Simply placing a single seasonal flower in it will create a light rhythm in the space, and as the crazed lines deepen over the years, a story will unfold alongside the vessel. We hope you will enjoy using it for many years to come and enjoy the changes created by the flowers and light.