A faceted vase by Usui Kazunari covered in copper green crystalline glaze and enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Oribe Zogan Kaki exhibited at the 21st Tokai Dento Kogeiten (Eastern Traditional Crafts Exhibition) in 1990 where it received the Top prize (Nihon Kogei Sho). It is 29 x 30 x 34.5 cm (12 x 12 x 14 inches) and is in perfect condition. It is published on the first page of the exhibition catalog, catalog included.
Usui Kazunari was born in Seto city, Aichi in 1954, and graduated the Nagoya University of Art, sculpture division in 1977. He immediately apprenticed under Kato Shuntei, where he remained until establishing his own kiln in 1983. He has been very often displayed at the Nihon Dento Kogeiten and Nihon Togeiten. In 1996 one of his works was chosen to travel overseas with the Contemporary KŌGEI Styles in Japan Exhibition (Gendai Nihon no Kogei Ten). He has received many awards, including top prize at the Tokai Dento Kogeiten (twice).
