A beautifully expressive vintage Akazu-yaki 赤津焼 flower vase (花器) made by Aitō 愛陶, presented in its original signed wooden box.
The vase has a tall, gently tapering form with a softly squared opening and a substantial handmade presence. Its surface is covered in a muted grey-green glaze with subtle crackling and natural variations in tone, creating a calm, earthy atmosphere. Darker brown and iron-toned accents gather around the rim and painted branches, giving the piece additional depth.
The decoration features a graceful flowering branch, most likely ume 梅 (plum blossom), painted in a loose, expressive style. A small label on the body reads 手描 (te-gaki), indicating that the design was hand-painted, making each detail slightly individual. The original wooden box is inscribed 花器 (kaki / flower vessel) and 愛陶造, identifying the maker.
Akazu-yaki (赤津焼) is a traditional ceramic style from the Akazu district of Seto, Aichi Prefecture, an area with a long history of pottery production. Akazu ware is especially known for its connection with tea utensils and decorative ceramics, often featuring expressive glazes and hand-painted motifs.
The plum blossom is one of Japan’s most beloved seasonal motifs. Blooming at the end of winter, ume is traditionally associated with resilience, renewal and the coming of spring. With its subdued glaze, hand-painted floral design and natural firing variations, this vase has a strong wabi-sabi (侘寂) quality and works beautifully for a single branch, a small ikebana arrangement or as a standalone decorative object.
Size: 10 x 10 x 26cm
