74th Generation Asahi Hosai (七十四代 朝日豊斎), Japanese (1921-2004)

A Hanshi Flower Vase (燔師 花生)

Showa Era (1926-1989) or Heisei Era (1989-2019)

About the work

A graceful flower vase by 74th Generation Asahi Hosai. This Hanshi Flower Vase is elegantly potted with a tall, tapering body rising from a broad foot to a distinctive blossom-shaped mouth. The softly lobed rim opens like a flower in bloom, lending the vessel a sculptural presence while naturally supporting floral arrangements in the ikebana tradition. 

The surface is covered in a soft ivory glaze that flows gently over the body, revealing warm buff tones beneath. Around the mouth, the glaze develops a dramatic network of large crackles (kannyū), creating a striking contrast with the smooth glaze trails descending the body. Subtle pinholing, natural firing marks, and the exposed clay at the foot celebrate the handcrafted character of Asahi ware.

The vase bears the artist's impressed seal on the base and is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako) and original wrapping cloth. 

Dimensions

22.6cm(h) x 8.5cm(w) x 8.9cm(d)

Footnote

74th Generation Asahi Hosai (1921-2004), born Matsubayashi Toyohiko in Uji, Kyoto, was the eldest son of the 13th Generation Matsubayashi Kosai and hereditary head of the historic Asahi ware kiln. He succeeded to the title in 1943 and continued the refined ceramic traditions of Asahi-yaki, one of the celebrated Enshu Seven Kilns closely associated with Japanese tea culture. Known by the artistic name Yukoan (猶香庵), he developed a distinctive style characterized by elegant forms and subtle surface expression while preserving traditional techniques. His works are especially noted for their warm clay texture and delicate “gohon” blushes, including the softly pink “honoshi” and finely mottled “kase” and “benikase” effects achieved through raw glazing and firing in climbing kilns fueled with split pine wood.