Bizen Ware Small Vase with Iron Ring, Yakishime Goma Ash Glaze, Four Relief Characters, Tea Ceremony Hanaire Style

FOUR CHARACTERS AND AN IRON RING

The clay is dark grey-brown and unglazed, with a soft, dry surface and fine turning marks. Ash from the kiln has settled on the shoulders and neck and melted into a glassy yellow-brown skin. On the body, four raised characters stand in two columns, and just below the lip an iron ring hangs from a rusted stud. The lower body is cut into soft facets. This is a small Japanese-style vase in a Bizen-style yakishime manner, for one stem or for the shelf.

QUICK FACTS
• Type: small vase / jar (花入 style), unglazed
• Ware: hard-fired (焼き締め, yakishime) stoneware in a Bizen-style manner [Bizen unconfirmed]
• Surface: dark grey-brown, with yellow-brown natural ash glaze (胡麻, goma type) on shoulder and neck
• Form: squat, rounded body with a short neck, a flared lip and a faceted lower body
• Inscription: four raised characters in two columns [reading pending]
• Fitting: iron ring on an iron stud near the neck, purpose and age unconfirmed
• Origin: Japan 

WHAT IS YAKISHIME AND GOMA?
Yakishime (焼き締め) means "fired hard": clay fired at high temperature with no glaze and no painting. In Bizen ware from Imbe in Okayama, wood ash that falls on the piece during firing can melt into a natural glaze. The sesame-like speckled ash glaze is called goma (胡麻). The ring of colour and gloss on this vase's shoulder is of that family.

THE FOUR RAISED CHARACTERS
Four characters stand out in relief on the body. We have not read them with confidence and leave them open. Inscribed bodies have a place in Bizen history: Buddhist flower vases of the 16th and 17th centuries donated to temples carry inscriptions on the body. We do not claim this vase is of that kind.

THE IRON RING
An iron ring is fixed near the neck. It may have served for hanging or carrying with a cord, or it may have been added later. We have not confirmed its purpose or age. Please do not use it to hang the vase.

BIZEN AND THE TEA ROOM
Research on Bizen tea utensils finds that Bizen flower vessels were among the earliest Japanese-made flower vessels used in the tea ceremony and appear most often in tea records. Their plain, unglazed surface set off simple flowers.

DISPLAY AND USE
Sold as a collectible and display piece. Use a glass or plastic liner for fresh flowers, and keep the iron ring and its stud away from water. The unglazed clay can absorb moisture, so dry thoroughly and avoid soaking.

CONDITION AND AUTHENTICITY
Sold as a Japanese-style unglazed small vase in a Bizen-style manner, [maker unconfirmed]. The inscription and the iron fitting have not been identified. Ash glaze, surface marks and rust on the iron are part of its character. Please review all photos and ask any question before buying.

SHIPPING
Packed in double-boxed protection with foam and paper cushioning, with the ring secured. Ships worldwide with tracking. Duties and taxes may apply on arrival.