Bizen ware black wide-mouthed vase

This is a Bizen black wide-mouthed flower vase by Masao Akitani, who studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and creates works brimming with unique originality amidst a new creative spirit. The stepped rim, which is Akitani's trademark, suits this massive flower vase perfectly. It is strangely reminiscent of a giant beer drinking vessel. The sesame glaze, applied generously from the rim, slides down the black surface to form beautiful droplets and blue kiln-transmutation effects that overwhelm the viewer. Signed wooden box (double-slatted)
Diameter 21.9cm × Diameter 20.0cm × Height 20.3cm Masao Akitani was born in Saitama in 1968. He studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki starting in 1998, and after ten years of training, he built his own kiln and established himself in Bizen in 2008. He held his first kiln opening in 2009. His work has been selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art's Tea Ceremony Sculpture Exhibition and the Japan Kōgei Association Chugoku Branch Exhibition, and he has received awards including the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Prize and the Encouragement Prize.