Hirado Chrysanthemum Sometsuke Flower Vase
Quietly majestic, this porcelain vase, crafted in the elegant silhouette of a gourd, embodies the height of refined craftsmanship. Chrysanthemums, sculpted with remarkable precision, embellish its surface, every petal is shaped to replicate the soft, lifelike curves of real flowers. Layer by layer, these blooms come to life, their three-dimensional presence conveying a sense of graceful movement.
This piece showcases the kikka-kazari zaiku technique, realized through the exceptional artistry of Nakazato Ichiro. This meticulous method involves carving individual petals directly out of porcelain, a process that demands extraordinary accuracy and a profound understanding of the medium. Each petal, shaped with a slender bamboo tool, displays fine creases and organic contours. And yet, no two blooms are ever alike, as every flower is shaped entirely by hand.
The blue and white of sometsuke enrich the vase’s dynamic composition. Shades of blue are applied to the leaves and stamens, creating depth and contrast against the luminous white blossoms. The gourd shape provides a graceful foundation, accentuating the arrangement of the chrysanthemums and their inherent rhythm. Every sculptural detail, from the intricately carved petals to the flowing lines of the foliage, draws the viewer’s eye and rewards a lingering gaze.
