Japanese Hanaire – Bizen-yaki – Mori Hōzan-gama 森宝山窯 – Ikebana vase with tomobako

📐 Characteristics

Estimated era: Heisei era, early 2000s
Origin: Japan, Inbe, discovered in Kyoto prefecture
Kiln: Mori Hōzan-gama 森宝山窯
Material: Japanese ceramic, Bizen stoneware
Technique: Bizen-yaki 備前焼, yakishime 焼締め firing without applied glaze, wood-fired
Usage: Hanaire 花入, vase for ikebana – tsutsu 筒 cylindrical shape
Dimensions: height approx. 18 cm – diameter approx. 8 cm
Weight: approx. 677 g
Condition: Excellent vintage condition, no noticeable flaws.
Mark: Tōin 陶印 in fan shape under the base
Accessories: Original calligraphy wood Tomobako 共箱 and shiori

Description

This Japanese Bizen-yaki hanaire vase is an artisanal piece from the Mori Hōzan-gama 森宝山窯, an old kiln established in Inbe. Its tall, cylindrical shape corresponds to the tsutsu-hanaire 筒花入 type, appreciated in ikebana for its simplicity.

Bizen-yaki 備前焼 is one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns. The piece is made using yakishime 焼締め, by high-temperature firing without applied glaze: the clay is transformed by the flames, wood ash, and the kiln atmosphere.

The silhouette is simple and powerful: a slightly irregular tubular body, a stable base, and a thick, almost oval opening. The traces of its crafting reinforce its rustic and profoundly Japanese presence.

The surface offers superb natural variations. The neck features honey-brown and golden-brown tones, punctuated with vitrified ash. Lower down appear reddish-purple, charcoal grey, smoky black, and ashy white areas. It displays goma 胡麻, sangiri 桟切, and yōhen 窯変 style effects.

This is an authentic Japanese ceramic, intended for ikebana, but also beautiful on its own as a wabi-sabi object.

The piece comes with its original wooden box. The lid bears the inscription Bizen hanaire 備前花入, the signature Hōzan 宝山, and the kiln's seal.

The Kiln: Mori Hōzan-gama 森宝山窯

Hōzan-gama 宝山窯 belongs to the direct lineage of the Terami 寺見 family, one of the six historic Bizen potter families since the Azuchi-Momoyama period (late 16th century). The name Mori Hōzan 森宝山 has since been passed down through generations.

Today, the Mori Hōzan-gama is headed by Mori Yasushi 森泰司, representing the 18th generation, who works alongside his son Mori Toshiaki 森敏彰, a potter of the 19th generation and designated heir to the kiln.

The fan-shaped mark on the base is the traditional tōin of Hōzan-gama. This motif already appears on large jars from the late Muromachi period, making it a particularly ancient Bizen-yaki mark.

🦝 Our Opinion

A superb Bizen hanaire, minimalist and expressive. We love the contrast between the golden brown of the neck, the deep red of the body, and the large grey and white areas.

It is perfectly typical of the style of the highly prestigious lineage of the Mori Hozan kiln, which has perpetuated the tradition for 19 generations!

A beautiful piece for lovers of ikebana, Bizen-yaki, and authentic Japanese objects.