Celadon Seiji Vase by Shimizu Uichi Living National Treasure with Signed Box and Cloth

Celadon (seiji) flower vase in the kinuta form by Shimizu Uichi, a Japanese Living National Treasure. The piece features a pale celadon glaze with fine crackle (kannyu), suited for use as a flower vessel and in tea and flower arrangement settings.

Shimizu Uichi (1926–2004) was a Japanese ceramic artist born in the Gojozaka district of Higashiyama, Kyoto, into a family involved in the Kyoto-ware wholesale trade. Around 1940 he studied under Ishiguro Munemaro, a master of iron-glazed ceramics, and became independent in Kyoto's Gojozaka area in 1945. In 1970 he relocated to the foot of Mt. Hira in Shiga Prefecture, where he built his own climbing kiln called Horai-gama and continued producing works based on Chinese Song-dynasty iron-glaze traditions combined with a modern sensibility, including celadon (seiji) pieces. He was recognized in 1985 as a holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure).

Dimensions: Height approx. 25.5 cm, width approx. 12.5 cm

Condition: There is a small area of glaze loss at the mouth (see the sixth photo).

Includes: Original signed wooden box (tomobako) and cloth wrapper (tomogire).