bright red Cinnabar Crane-necked Vase by Toshio Ikura

Width: 10.8cm Height: 20.7cm

The Yagyu Ware Cinnabar Crane-Neck Bottle is a masterpiece that beautifully combines traditional Yagyu ware techniques with the beautiful red color of cinnabar. This elegant bottle with its long, slender neck exudes a sense of elegance, like a crane stretching its neck toward the sky, and has a presence that blends naturally with traditional Japanese beauty, such as in the tea ceremony and flower arrangement.

The shape and elegance of the crane neck

This "Tsuru-Neck Vase" beautifully balances its long, slender neck with a slightly flared body, symbolizing the graceful figure of a crane. Its shape creates a unique silhouette depending on where it is displayed, giving the entire space a sophisticated feel. The crane-neck design has long been beloved as one of Japan's traditional pottery forms, but in Ikura Toshio's work, the shape is given a modern sophistication and beauty, evoking an even greater sense of dignity.

The History and Mysterious Color of Cinnabar

The "Yagyu Ware Cinnabar Crane-Necked Vase" features vibrant cinnabar applied using the Ikura family's advanced glazing techniques. Cinnabar has been revered as a mystical entity since ancient times due to its beautiful red color and historical background. In China, it was also known as "dragon's blood" and was historically prized by emperors and aristocrats as a symbol of immortality and protection from evil. Also known as "cinnabar" in the West, its vibrant vermilion color led to its high value as a pigment and decorative item in ancient Rome. The cinnabar glaze used on this crane-necked vase was meticulously applied by Toshio Ikura's skilled techniques, and the thick layers of glaze create a deep, captivating color. The cinnabar's red, which subtly changes appearance depending on the light, adds movement and vitality to a tranquil space, captivating the viewer's attention.

The tradition of Yagyu ware and the skills of Toshio Ikura

Yagyu ware is known as a legendary pottery handed down in Yagyu, Nara, the home of the master swordsman. Its history dates back to when Harumomo Gozen, the grandmother of Yagyu Jubei, fired a horse-headed Kannon statue. The kiln, which had been discontinued for a long time, was revived by the Ikura family. While preserving its traditions, the family has produced unique works incorporating modern sensibilities. This "Cinnabar Crane-Neck Vase" is a work that beautifully combines advanced glazing techniques with unique sculptural beauty. The design, which has been meticulously crafted down to the smallest detail, harmonizes not only with the shape of the vase but also with the color of the cinnabar, resulting in a highly refined piece overall.

The practicality and beauty of the cinnabar crane-necked bottle

The Yagyu Ware Cinnabar Crane-Neck Vase is not only valuable as a work of art, but also has practicality as a flower vase. Its long neck maintains a natural balance when flowers are placed inside, further enhancing their beauty. The vibrant red of the cinnabar harmonizes with the colors of the flowers, making it a striking piece of interior decoration.

The "Yagyu Ware Cinnabar Crane-Neck Vase by Ikura Toshio" is a work that beautifully combines the beautiful red of the cinnabar with an elegant crane-like shape. It is a special vase that combines practicality and beauty, combining outstanding craftsmanship with the tradition of Yagyu ware.

Toshio Ikura Born in 1938

[Awards]

・Governor's Award at the 27th Nara Prefectural Exhibition ・Selected for the 2nd Tenten Exhibition ・Nara Prefectural Art Association Encouragement Award ・4th place in the traditional crafts category at the Hometown Nara Contest ・Nara Crafts Association Chairman's Award at the Nara Prefecture Excellent Tourist Souvenir Recommendation Judging Committee ・Nara Chamber of Commerce and Industry President's Award at the Nara New Souvenir Exhibition ・Selected for the 34th Japan Folk Crafts Public Exhibition

[Affiliated organizations]

Organizer of the Nara Prefectural Art Association, the Nara Prefectural Crafts Association, and the Nara Prefectural Industrial Association Ceramic Arts Gathering "Touen"

[Teacher etc.]

Kitaro Ikura (father)
Successor: Kotaro Ikura

[Beliefs, way of life, etc.]

In the Yagyu Shinkage-ryu school of martial arts, we learn the spirit of "Katsujin-sword," which means not killing people but making the most of them, and of perpetual peace and coexistence and prosperity.