A prototypical Tokoname jar by Ezaki Issei enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Hai-yu Tsubo. It is 23.5 cm (9-1/2 inches) diameter, 21 cm (8-1/2 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Ezaki Issei (1918-1992) was born in Tokoname, but came to the road of the potter later in life, establishing himself as an artist in 1956. It was he who set the pattern for the research and revival of medieval techniques. His work was exhibited and awarded at the National Art Exhibition (Nitten), National Traditional Crafts Exhibition (Nihon Dento Kogeiten), Asahi Crafts Fair (Asahi Kogeiten) and the Modern Japanese Ceramics Exhibition (Gendai Nihon Togeiten) among others. He taught both Osako Mikio and Takeuchi Kimiaki, making him likely the most influential 20th century Tokoname artist. After ten years battling sickness and on the slate to be named a living national treasure, he succumbed to illness at the age of 74.
