A beautiful small jar which partially collapsed in the kiln, bearing the brunt of the flame as evidenced by the heavy deposits on the sunken side, repurposed as a Mizusashi fresh water jar for the Japanese tea ceremony complete with custom made lobed auburn lacquered lid. It is 20 x 16 cm and comes in a period kiri-wood box.
Bizen is one of Japan’s oldest ceramic traditions, renowned for its unglazed, earthy finishes and natural elegance. Originating in Okayama Prefecture during the Heian period, Bizen ware reflects the principles of wabi-sabi—the Japanese aesthetic of finding beauty in imperfection and impermanence. Fired in wood-burning kilns over several days, Bizen pottery develops unique textures and color variations, such as reddish hues (aka-e) or ash-glazed patterns (yohen), making each piece one of a kind. In the tea ceremony, Bizen tea bowls and water jars are prized for their rustic simplicity, complementing the ceremony's emphasis on harmony and natural beauty. The tactile, organic feel of Bizen ware fosters a meditative connection between the user and the vessel, embodying the spiritual essence of Japanese tea culture.
