This hanging vase by Shotaro Hayashi was thrown and then altered with a squeezed body and wavering lip - distinctively rugged and organic, like so much of the best Mino ware. The addition of two triangular ears - or lugs - gives the shape an anthropomorphic touch, as though it were giving a shrug.

Hayashi’s glazing was added in several stages. The pair of abstracted floral sprays or branches appear to have been applied with a wax resist. Hayashi then coated the vase with an iron oxide stain, removed the wax, and then covered everything in the white shino glaze.

The result is pure Hayashi Shotaro: the combination of iron oxide and shino gives an incredible variety of colour. Nezumi - or grey - shino belies the spectrum of colour Hayashi is able to pull from his layering of stains and glazes.

Born in 1947, Shotaro trained with his older brother Kotaro, eventually establishing his own kiln in the early 1970’s. Like his brother, Shotaro has taken Mino wares in exciting new directions while staying true to its roots, always reflecting the spirit mountainous Gifu region.

From the very beginning of his career until now, Hayashi has received numerous honours and recognitions. Being named an Intangible Cultural Property of Gifu Prefecture, Hayashi is considered one of the great living potters working in the Mino tradition.

Comes with the signed, stamped, and titled wood box, and stamped wrapping cloth.