A large spherical vase by Imai Rikei from the Ujoyuaki tradition of Aomori Prefecture enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shizen-yu Tsubo and named inside the lid Robaku. It is 26 cm (10-1/2 inches) diameter, 25.5 cm (roughly the same length) tall and in excellent condition."Rōbaku" is a modern term used to refer to elderly individuals who are quick to anger or who frequently have explosive outbursts, causing trouble for those around them.
Imai Rikei was born in Aomori Prefecture in 1947, and fires in the Ujoykai traditional manner making use of the world’s longest climbing kiln (Guinness book of world records, 103 meters long, you can see it on youtube). He has received a number of awards and exhibited with the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition (Asahi Togeiten) among others. He is the most important artist in this lesser known Northern tradition of Japanese pottery.
